Clownfish rapid breathing?

[SoggyOatmeal]

Is this breathing rate normal for clownfish? Seems fast. Everything else seems fine. But this is the first time they haven't eaten their food so I'm a little concerned.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Is this breathing rate normal for clownfish? Seems fast. Everything else seems fine. But this is the first time they haven't eaten their food so I'm a little concerned.

Video has sound but no image. Please post a you tube version video under white light intensity - No Blue and of at least 20 seconds

 

[SoggyOatmeal]

Video has sound but no image. Please post a you tube version video under white light intensity - No Blue and of at least 20 seconds

 

[MnFish1]

Unfortunately - it's impossible to count the respiratory rate here - can you do it and post it? Additionally more information about the fish - how old, did you quarantine, any other fish in the tank. your parameters?

 

[SoggyOatmeal]

Unfortunately - it's impossible to count the respiratory rate here - can you do it and post it? Additionally more information about the fish - how old, did you quarantine, any other fish in the tank. your parameters?

Roughly 3 per second i believe.

 

[Ryansi]

Roughly 3 per second i believe.

2-3 is normal.

 

[vetteguy53081]

This video appears to be in slow motion and is fuzzy.
Any loss of color, loss of appetite, hiding and unusual swim pattern?

 

[SoggyOatmeal]

This video appears to be in slow motion and is fuzzy.
Any loss of color, loss of appetite, hiding and unusual swim pattern?

You should be able to select 1080p in the settings. It should be normal speed. No loss of color. They did not eat today and have stopped swimming around like usual. They are now just hanging out behind the rock in the back.

 

[MnFish1]

Roughly 3 per second i believe.

so - the way to do it is to count for 15 seconds and multiply by 4 if you can

 

[vetteguy53081]

You should be able to select 1080p in the settings. It should be normal speed. No loss of color. They did not eat today and have stopped swimming around like usual. They are now just hanging out behind the rock in the back.

Until resolvment, do a water change and add an air stone.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Is this breathing rate normal for clownfish? Seems fast. Everything else seems fine. But this is the first time they haven't eaten their food so I'm a little concerned.

I couldn’t get an actual count for you but the clown is breathing too fast, and looks “uncomfortable”. Is it still eating good?

 

[MnFish1]

Roughly 3 per second i believe.

3 per second would be considered fast for most fish that are at rest. I would say the upper normal rate would be 120 or so - or less.

 

[MnFish1]

Roughly 3 per second i believe.

This would be 'higher than normal'. If you could help by answering the other questions - it will help us help you better.

 

[SoggyOatmeal]

I couldn’t get an actual count for you but the clown is breathing too fast, and looks “uncomfortable”. Is it still eating good?

They did not eat yesterday for the first time. Got a water test. Looks like I had a small re-cycle after my initial cycle was complete. A little bit of ammonia and nitrite. Dosing prime/stability and water change to bring it all down.

 

[MnFish1]

They did not eat yesterday for the first time. Got a water test. Looks like I had a small re-cycle after my initial cycle was complete. A little bit of ammonia and nitrite. Dosing prime/stability and water change to bring it all down.

I agree with the stability - what exactly were the values. How long have you had this fish - and have you added anything recently, did you quarantine the fish? PS - Nitrite has no negative effect in a marine aquarium - unless extremely high. The symptoms you describe are not entirely consistent with ammonia toxicity - although lethargy and rapid breathing are - there are usually a number of other symptoms as well. Also remember that Prime does not 'remove ammonia' from the tank - and may require re-dosing. (There is also a debate about whether Prime is useful at all - and may have issues if you eventually need to use a medication like copper)

 

[SoggyOatmeal]

I agree with the stability - what exactly were the values. How long have you had this fish - and have you added anything recently, did you quarantine the fish? PS - Nitrite has no negative effect in a marine aquarium - unless extremely high.

I've had the fish about 2 years now. Just recently transferred them to a new tank i had setup. The test last night was 0.20 ppm ammonia and 0.25 nitrite. The only thing I've added recently was a blenny from my lfs. Unfortunately I don't have a qt tank setup as of right now.

 

[MnFish1]

I've had the fish about 2 years now. Just recently transferred them to a new tank i had setup. The test last night was 0.20 ppm ammonia and 0.25 nitrite. The only thing I've added recently was a blenny from my lfs. Unfortunately I don't have a qt tank setup as of right now.

I'm assuming the blenny looks fine - and thanks for the other information. I'm also assuming the ammonia was a 'Total Ammonia' test - in which case, it is not likely causing the symptoms. I would be concerned about a disease brought in by your blennie as the cause of the issue you're seeing.

 

[SoggyOatmeal]

I'm assuming the blenny looks fine - and thanks for the other information. I'm also assuming the ammonia was a 'Total Ammonia' test - in which case, it is not likely causing the symptoms. I would be concerned about a disease brought in by your blennie as the cause of the issue you're seeing.

He was breathing very fast but my lfs said that's how they normally breathe. If he did bring something in what should I do?

 

[SoggyOatmeal]

I'm assuming the blenny looks fine - and thanks for the other information. I'm also assuming the ammonia was a 'Total Ammonia' test - in which case, it is not likely causing the symptoms. I would be concerned about a disease brought in by your blennie as the cause of the issue you're seeing.

The blenny in question.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

The blenny in question.

Blennies often do breath faster than many other fish, but in this video, it is also breathing with its mouth open (panting, if you will) and that's not normal.