Dying Clown Fish

[Nick Rose]

I have a 15 year old clown fish that seems to be on its way out possibly. For several weeks she has been sluggish. Today she has been fine but just now I noticed she was on the power head. She seems to have some white splotches on her. Don’t know if that’s from being stuck on the power head. I’ve put her in the sump for now just so she won’t get stuck on a power head. Everyone else seems fine

 

[Big G]

Sorry to hear about your long time buddy seeming on the decline. Those white splotches might be bacterial infection as the fish's immune system may be declining a bit. Is the clown eating?

 

[Nick Rose]

It doesn’t seem to be eating.

 

[fishguy242]

sorry very hard to watch, have to ask one q did you acquire yellow with the fin damage

 

[Nick Rose]

The yellow and blue tang are around 20 years old. Both the clowns are 15 years old.

 

[ReeferSteve]

Ugh. That’s tough. The yellow tang seems to have some fin damage?

 

[fishguy242]

stray voltage may be cause of fin damage ,sorry tough to lose a longtime friend

 

[Nick Rose]

It’s not stray voltage. I have one of those grounding probes. It’s tough not being able to do anything. Also it’s tough not knowing why.

 

[Nick Rose]

It’s just passed away. It looks nice and healthy not thin. I looked in the gills and they seemed normal. Could it just be old age.

 

[fishguy242]

RIP lil buddy:(

 

[phatduckk]

Awe. Sorry for you loss :(

you kept him happy for 15 years. That’s amazing. He was lucky to have you.

 

[Requiemiero]

RIP :(

 

[Nick Rose]

https://www.saltwatersmarts.com/how-to-tell-marine-fish-dying-old-age-5782/
After reading this article it does seem like it died of old age. I’m not sure of the time frame. But I noticed it being more slow moving 2-3 weeks ago and slowed down and then completely not eating and it started to hang out in areas that it normally wouldn’t. Both the clowns hosted the large Frogspawn we have.

How long should I wait before adding another clown? Obviously it has to be a smaller clown. But can you go too small? I would be worried of it being picked on.

 

[vetteguy53081]

As lame as it sounds, likely old age. That’s pretty good for a clown in captivity.
Internal parasite would be another possibility why it stopped eating

 

[fishguy242]

almost like us ,after being together whole life long life 15 yrs ,male will prob not be long to follow hate to say,i would give it a while see before adding another clown,just my opinion ,again bummer sorry for your loss