Clownfish sick with something

[Bugenar]

woke up to see my clown covered in some white film, swimming erratically too. I have no idea what this could be, it looks like it went through a power head (it didn’t). no signs of aggression from other fish, no signs of infection from other clown, though just yesterday this clown was trying to host with a hammer… looked just fine.

It’s swimming very erratically, I can’t get a good image

 

[Fish Fan]

Unfortunately, that poor fish doesn't look like it's going to make it

Let's just ask if the #fi#fishmedicam can take a look, maybe work some magic with this fish, or at least give you a game plan to ensure that the rest of your fish and your tank are healthy and free of pathogens going forward.

Good luck!

 

[W31Olds]

Your Clown is terribly thin and if not eating will not make and is borderline Morbund. What were you feeding, how much, and how often? The Powerhead is not the problem.

 

[Bugenar]

Your Clown is terribly thin and if not eating will not make and is borderline Morbund. What were you feeding, how much, and how often? The Powerhead is not the problem.

It was always a smaller clown, but whatever happened, happened within days. It eats mostly mysis and brine, but we include hikari pellets… and I had no problems with it eating prior, belly and everything. This is not a feeding issue, it’s obviously sick that’s why it looks shriveled. I gave it a freshwater bath and it’s swimming behavior ceased

 

[Bugenar]

woke up to see my clown covered in some white film, swimming erratically too. I have no idea what this could be, it looks like it went through a power head (it didn’t). no signs of aggression from other fish, no signs of infection from other clown, though just yesterday this clown was trying to host with a hammer… looked just fine.

It’s swimming very erratically, I can’t get a good image

I’ve placed it in a 5 gallon quarantine tank and gave it a 3 minute bath, immediately the swimming behavior stopped as in it’s stopped trying to reach the surface.

I’ve dosed 8 ml of reef rally pro and I’m seeing immediate differences, so hopefully good news from here on out.

 

[W31Olds]

I don't disagree that you Clown is sick. White Clowns are difficult to diagnose, and the Vid and Pics are not adequate other than the obvious that he is very thin. How long have you had him and how long has he not been eating? A Clown would never be that thin after just 2 days without eating.

 

[Bugenar]

I don't disagree that you Clown is sick. White Clowns are difficult to diagnose, and the Vid and Pics are not adequate other than the obvious that he is very thin. How long have you had him and how long has he not been eating? A Clown would never be that thin after just 2 days without eating.

Didn’t realize the photos didn’t capture this, but it’s skin looks as if its peeling off, I’m fairly certain I’m dealing with brook, which could explain why it’s so thin…

We’ve had it around 4 months, to be honest I’m starting to question if it was eating or not… I feel like it was eating because it’s usually right up at the top of the tank to feed with his pair, but you’re right it’s too thin so something was happening, let’s just assume it hasn’t eaten in a while…

 

[Marine Betta]

I don't disagree that you Clown is sick. White Clowns are difficult to diagnose, and the Vid and Pics are not adequate other than the obvious that he is very thin. How long have you had him and how long has he not been eating? A Clown would never be that thin after just 2 days without eating.

Didn’t realize the photos didn’t capture this, but it’s skin looks as if its peeling off, I’m fairly certain I’m dealing with brook, which could explain why it’s so thin…

We’ve had it around 4 months, to be honest I’m starting to question if it was eating or not… I feel like it was eating because it’s usually right up at the top of the tank to feed with his pair, but you’re right it’s too thin so something was happening, let’s just assume it hasn’t eaten in a while…

I can’t play the video, but it looks like brook. A sloughing slime coat is the telltale sign tale sign, unfortunately. Is he breathing rapidly? If so, it’s almost definitely brook. I also see what look like bacterial lesions in the hospital tank which is another symptom of brook. A formalin bath would be the most effective treatment, but formalin is hard to come by. You can substitute with ruby reef rally pro and give him a 60 minute bath. Afterwards dose it into the hospital tank at a lower concentration.

 

[Bugenar]

I can’t play the video, but it looks like brook. A sloughing slime coat is the telltale sign tale sign, unfortunately. Is he breathing rapidly? If so, it’s almost definitely brook. I also see what look like bacterial lesions in the hospital tank which is another symptom of brook. A formalin bath would be the most effective treatment, but formalin is hard to come by. You can substitute with ruby reef rally pro and give him a 60 minute bath. Afterwards dose it into the hospital tank at a lower concentration.

I’ve started with 8.5 ml of rally pro in a 5.5 gallon tank… it’s situation improved with a freshwater bath so hopefully I got it in time, I’m worried about its pair because she was curious and rubbing against it… might have to pull her out too

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I’ve started with 8.5 ml of rally pro in a 5.5 gallon tank… it’s situation improved with a freshwater bath so hopefully I got it in time, I’m worried about its pair because she was curious and rubbing against it… might have to pull her out too

FWIW: I could view the video and it does look like Brooklynella. I'd continue with the treatment that has been outlined.

 

[Bugenar]

FWIW: I could view the video and it does look like Brooklynella. I'd continue with the treatment that has been outlined.

It died… I’m worried about the rest of my tank now

 

[Marine Betta]

FWIW: I could view the video and it does look like Brooklynella. I'd continue with the treatment that has been outlined.

It died… I’m worried about the rest of my tank now

I’m sorry to hear that. I will say that he was in rough shape. As for the other tank mates, are theyacting normal?

Ruby Reef Rally Pro is generally reef safe, so you could dose it into the display tank as a precaution. It is more effective in a QT/hospital tank though.

Your options are to 1) wait and see 2) treat the display tank or 3) remove all fish from the DT, treat in the hospital tank, and leave the DT fallow. Some recommend 4-6 weeks, but I believe Jay’s fallow period for brook is 60 days unless he has changed his protocol.

I would choose option 2 or 3. I would lean towards option 3 though to be safe and to provide the most effective treatment. Others may have a different suggestion though.

 

[Bugenar]

I’m sorry to hear that. I will say that he was in rough shape. As for the other tank mates, are theyacting normal?

Ruby Reef Rally Pro is generally reef safe, so you could dose it into the display tank as a precaution. It is more effective in a QT/hospital tank though.

Your options are to 1) wait and see 2) treat the display tank or 3) remove all fish from the DT, treat in the hospital tank, and leave the DT fallow. Some recommend 4-6 weeks, but I believe Jay’s fallow period for brook is 60 days unless he has changed his protocol.

I would choose option 2 or 3. I would lean towards option 3 though to be safe and to provide the most effective treatment. Others may have a different suggestion though.

I'll do 2 and 3... some fish will be near impossible to catch, and some float right into a net. Not sure how much time I have until signs of an outbreak start showing so I'm just going to be as safe as possible. So far my fish are acting normally, including the other clown.