Clownfish rapid breathing advice needed

[NanoReefer26]

Clownfish acting strange advice needed:

TLDR: Two clownfish breathing heavy and staying together near the bottom of the tank. No spots visible or discoloration. Looking for advice on diagnosis and treatment.

Salinity: 1.025
Temp: 78.5 F
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 0
PH 8.1
ALK: 8.5
Phosphate: 0.03
Calcium: 386
Mag 1200

Video of clowns:

I have a 6 month old 26 gallon tank. I have had only two clownfish for most of the time my fish tank has been set up. I left for a week for Christmas and had everything automated. When I came home one of the clowns was just gone with no trace. The only thing I could come up with was the automatic feeder might have got clogged and wasn’t putting out enough food and the larger female clown fish out compete the smaller male for food. The other clown seemed fine and was eating and acting normal but maybe a little less playful but seemed fine. Again nothing was changed or added in months so figured it was the auto feeder.

I got a new clown fish about a week ago to replace the one I lost. I didn’t quarantine it or pre treat it for anything. (I realize now that it’s probably bad I didn’t)

I temperature and drip acclimated the new fish for over an hour. But once in the tank he really hasn’t been eating much and now looks like he’s lost a bit of weight. My first thought was that he was just stressed and I should just give it some time.

But now both clownfish seem to be breathing fast and staying together near the bottom of the tank and my original one will only swim around during feeding time. There are no spots visible or appear to be any discoloration. I’m going to try and link a video. But I am looking for advice on diagnosis and treatment. Because I’m new I’m just afraid trying to treat them might kill them. But I also know if I do nothing they might die too.

I’m thinking it might be flukes? But I’m not sure.

I’m guessing I need to do a fresh water dip and move to a QT tank to treat. Also looking for advice in regards to the main tank and if I need to treat the tank or if I have to just leave it empty for a certain amount of time. I have a few hermit crabs and a few coral frags that I would like to keep alive if possible.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Clownfish acting strange advice needed:

TLDR: Two clownfish breathing heavy and staying together near the bottom of the tank. No spots visible or discoloration. Looking for advice on diagnosis and treatment.

Salinity: 1.025
Temp: 78.5 F
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 0
PH 8.1
ALK: 8.5
Phosphate: 0.03
Calcium: 386
Mag 1200

Video of clowns:

I have a 6 month old 26 gallon tank. I have had only two clownfish for most of the time my fish tank has been set up. I left for a week for Christmas and had everything automated. When I came home one of the clowns was just gone with no trace. The only thing I could come up with was the automatic feeder might have got clogged and wasn’t putting out enough food and the larger female clown fish out compete the smaller male for food. The other clown seemed fine and was eating and acting normal but maybe a little less playful but seemed fine. Again nothing was changed or added in months so figured it was the auto feeder.

I got a new clown fish about a week ago to replace the one I lost. I didn’t quarantine it or pre treat it for anything. (I realize now that it’s probably bad I didn’t)

I temperature and drip acclimated the new fish for over an hour. But once in the tank he really hasn’t been eating much and now looks like he’s lost a bit of weight. My first thought was that he was just stressed and I should just give it some time.

But now both clownfish seem to be breathing fast and staying together near the bottom of the tank and my original one will only swim around during feeding time. There are no spots visible or appear to be any discoloration. I’m going to try and link a video. But I am looking for advice on diagnosis and treatment. Because I’m new I’m just afraid trying to treat them might kill them. But I also know if I do nothing they might die too.

I’m thinking it might be flukes? But I’m not sure.

I’m guessing I need to do a fresh water dip and move to a QT tank to treat. Also looking for advice in regards to the main tank and if I need to treat the tank or if I have to just leave it empty for a certain amount of time. I have a few hermit crabs and a few coral frags that I would like to keep alive if possible.

The video is pretty pixelated, but from your description, I'd say this is likely to be Brooklynella brought in by the second clownfish. Can you get Ruby Reef Rally Pro? If you dose your tank with it, it is reef safe. You can also then make up a 3x solution with some tank water and give the fish a daily dip in that (for an hour).

 

[NanoReefer26]

The video is pretty pixelated, but from your description, I'd say this is likely to be Brooklynella brought in by the second clownfish. Can you get Ruby Reef Rally Pro? If you dose your tank with it, it is reef safe. You can also then make up a 3x solution with some tank water and give the fish a daily dip in that (for an hour).

Thanks for the advice! Yeah I’m not sure why the video looks so pixelated. If you click on the link to the YouTube, it shows up clear.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Thanks for the advice! Yeah I’m not sure why the video looks so pixelated. If you click on the link to the YouTube, it shows up clear.

I watched the video again - about 2/3's of the way through, the focus/pixelation improved and I could see more clearly. I do think this is Brooklynella......