Help sick fish please!

[tylerfish]

HELP!!! My two clownfish are acting very different. The tank has been cycled for years and all nitrogen associated compounds are at low levels. We recently had moved a new clownfish into the tank and suspect it may be the cause of these two fish struggling. Any ideas or solutions?

 

[Gumbies R Us]

#fishmedics

 

[Jay Hemdal]

HELP!!! My two clownfish are acting very different. The tank has been cycled for years and all nitrogen associated compounds are at low levels. We recently had moved a new clownfish into the tank and suspect it may be the cause of these two fish struggling. Any ideas or solutions?

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

Are there three clownfish in the tank then?
How long ago did you add the third clownfish?

This is most likely a gill parasite known as Amyloodinium (velvet). It might also be Brooklynella, but I don't see the thick mucus seen with that disease.

To treat Amyloodinium, you are going to need to move quickly, as it can kill in a matter of hours.

Start with a 30 minute hydrogen peroxide dip - add 10 ml of 3% hydrogen peroxide per gallon of water in a bucket. Add the fish to the bucket for 30 minutes, then move them to a new tank with no invertebrates and treat them with 2.25 ppm coppersafe for 30 days.

 

[tylerfish]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

Are there three clownfish in the tank then?
How long ago did you add the third clownfish?

This is most likely a gill parasite known as Amyloodinium (velvet). It might also be Brooklynella, but I don't see the thick mucus seen with that disease.

To treat Amyloodinium, you are going to need to move quickly, as it can kill in a matter of hours.

Start with a 30 minute hydrogen peroxide dip - add 10 ml of 3% hydrogen peroxide per gallon of water in a bucket. Add the fish to the bucket for 30 minutes, then move them to a new tank with no invertebrates and treat them with 2.25 ppm coppersafe for 30 days.

Yes there are 3, the one is in a breeder box and got moved into the tank roughly 3 weeks ago now. My biggest concern is the two tangs I have in the tank as well but for now I’m gonna do my best to save the clowns.

 

[Jay Hemdal]

Yes there are 3, the one is in a breeder box and got moved into the tank roughly 3 weeks ago now. My biggest concern is the two tangs I have in the tank as well but for now I’m gonna do my best to save the clowns.

If it is Amyloodinium, it's going to spread to all of the fish. If it is Brooklynella, it will likely just infect the clownfish. Do you see any shedding mucus or cloudy fins on the clownfish?

The peroxide dip will give temporary relief if it is Brook, but the copper won't help much.

 

[tylerfish]

If it is Amyloodinium, it's going to spread to all of the fish. If it is Brooklynella, it will likely just infect the clownfish. Do you see any shedding mucus or cloudy fins on the clownfish?

The peroxide dip will give temporary relief if it is Brook, but the copper won't help much.

I’m waiting for the copper to get to my house it should be here by tomorrow morning. As far as shedding or mucus, there is minimal amounts of mucus nothing excessive. They have also randomly started spending a lot of time in the clay pot we have had in the tank. Is there anything else I can do in the meantime though?

 

[Jay Hemdal]

I’m waiting for the copper to get to my house it should be here by tomorrow morning. As far as shedding or mucus, there is minimal amounts of mucus nothing excessive. They have also randomly started spending a lot of time in the clay pot we have had in the tank. Is there anything else I can do in the meantime though?

You can do the peroxide dip once every 24 hours. Even if you can’t move the fish to a sterile tank after each dip, it will still buy you some time…..

 

[tylerfish]

You can do the peroxide dip once every 24 hours. Even if you can’t move the fish to a sterile tank after each dip, it will still buy you some time…..

I’m setting up the tanks when I get home the copper just got in from Amazon. I’ll keep you posted if I have any more questions. Thanks for your help so far.