Dying Clown Fish?

Coral.Reef

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have noticed that my 4 year old clown fish does not seem to be her normal self for the last few days. I can see she is breathing heavily, and is showing signs of some sort of infection. Also not darting for food as she normally does.
IMG_2481.jpeg


Any advice would be greatly appreciated. IMG_2479.jpeg IMG_2480.jpeg
 

vetteguy53081

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have noticed that my 4 year old clown fish does not seem to be her normal self for the last few days. I can see she is breathing heavily, and is showing signs of some sort of infection. Also not darting for food as she normally does.
IMG_2481.jpeg


Any advice would be greatly appreciated. IMG_2479.jpeg IMG_2480.jpeg
There is some very rough skin and makes me wonder if any aggression from other clown and light injury. Based on respirations, fish looks a little thin and fins are a little shredded.
Have you noticed any squabbling between the two?
 

Jay Hemdal

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Attaching a video here in case it helps
From what I can see, the clown’s gills are tan, they should be dark red. This indicates possible anemia, but I can’t say what the cause of that might be.
 
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Coral.Reef

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I might give ruby reef rally pro a shot. I don’t have a QT so trying to keep the treatment as something that is safe to administer in my display tank.
 
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Coral.Reef

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Quick update. Came back home after a few days out to find the fish swimming sideways near the surface. Coloration is fine…so thinking it is some issue with the swim bladder? Any recommendations on things to try in the display tank?

@Jay Hemdal @vetteguy53081
 

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Quick update. Came back home after a few days out to find the fish swimming sideways near the surface. Coloration is fine…so thinking it is some issue with the swim bladder? Any recommendations on things to try in the display tank?

@Jay Hemdal @vetteguy53081
Could be swim bladder or gas in the gut.
Is it still eating?
 
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Coral.Reef

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Could be swim bladder or gas in the gut.
Is it still eating?
She is certainly not lunging to get food. But looks like she does take the occasional nibble. Did see her go back to surface to breathe occasionally as well. I have the skimmer running and a gyre that has been helping with the gas exchange so unlikely that oxygenation is a problem. The other fish seem to be doing fine as well.
 

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Quick update. Came back home after a few days out to find the fish swimming sideways near the surface. Coloration is fine…so thinking it is some issue with the swim bladder? Any recommendations on things to try in the display tank?

@Jay Hemdal @vetteguy53081
Please post you tube video under white lighting
She is certainly not lunging to get food. But looks like she does take the occasional nibble. Did see her go back to surface to breathe occasionally as well. I have the skimmer running and a gyre that has been helping with the gas exchange so unlikely that oxygenation is a problem. The other fish seem to be doing fine as well.
assure there is not too much current
Turn off gyre for 5 minutes and see if it corrects its swim behavior
 
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Coral.Reef

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@vetteguy53081 I’ll upload this video when she is up during daylight hours…..strange behavior I noted today was that she got from the surface down to the sand bed once the lights went out and is resting by a rock…not sideways.
 

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@vetteguy53081 I’ll upload this video when she is up during daylight hours…..strange behavior I noted today was that she got from the surface down to the sand bed once the lights went out and is resting by a rock…not sideways.
That doesn’t sound like a swim bladder issue - with that, the fish will either float (over inflated) or sink (under inflated) but not both.
Hopefully a video will show us more…..
 
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Coral.Reef

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Unfortunately she did not make it through the night. She was the OG addition to the tank and which is about 4.5 years old now and my very first. May she RIP.

How soon should I be considering adding another to keep her mate company? And should I get one that is larger so he stays a male?
 
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Jay Hemdal

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Unfortunately she did not make it through the night. She was the OG addition to the tank and which is about 4.5 years old now and my very first. May she RIP.

How soon should I be considering adding another to keep her mate company? And should I get one that is larger so he stays a male?

Sorry to hear.

Adding a clownfish to another one always carries some risk. I would wait at least 14 days, a month would be better, just to ensure that whatever killed the first clown isn't contagious. Then, the new clown should be fully quarantined.

I would choose one a bit larger than the one that you have now. Remember though - clownfish don't need company, and that way, you won't have any issues with them fighting.
 

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