Is there something wrong with my clownfish?

[dach]

Hi.
Im attaching some videos of my clownfish. The pair seem to have been hosting this particular spot in my tank for a while. The male has started to sit in the spot and just lay down, then the return pump pushes him on his side. He doesn’t seem to have any spots (ich). He may be breathing fast.

is this normal behavior or is there something wrong with my clown? If so what could it be?

My tank is a 20 gallon tank with lots (4) of other fish and they are all fine at the moment. I do 5 gallon water changes weekly.

here are the videos

 

[dach]

I need to go to work and don’t want to leave them like this if this is a problem

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hi.
Im attaching some videos of my clownfish. The pair seem to have been hosting this particular spot in my tank for a while. The male has started to sit in the spot and just lay down, then the return pump pushes him on his side. He doesn’t seem to have any spots (ich). He may be breathing fast.

is this normal behavior or is there something wrong with my clown? If so what could it be?

My tank is a 20 gallon tank with lots (4) of other fish and they are all fine at the moment. I do 5 gallon water changes weekly.

here are the videos

Image blurry when expanded
You can hive it A 5 minute freshwater dip to offer temporary relief of many issues at same temperature as display tank
Pics under white lighting is best

 

[dach]

they are Imgur videos. Try to click on them if you can please

 

[SlugSnorter]

Hi.
Im attaching some videos of my clownfish. The pair seem to have been hosting this particular spot in my tank for a while. The male has started to sit in the spot and just lay down, then the return pump pushes him on his side. He doesn’t seem to have any spots (ich). He may be breathing fast.

is this normal behavior or is there something wrong with my clown? If so what could it be?

My tank is a 20 gallon tank with lots (4) of other fish and they are all fine at the moment. I do 5 gallon water changes weekly.

here are the videos

Looks like the clownfish is submitting to the female or trying to host the GHA.

Params? do you use RODI? any other symptoms? any aggression?

 

[Tamberav]

Might be trying use that rock as a host. Clowns will lay on nems.

I can’t tell if it’s fins are deformed or not because of the coloration. Sometimes these designers are not culled properly and can cause odd swimming or eating problems.

 

[dach]

Testing Params now, just noticed this this morning. I use RODI for salt with tropic Marin salt mix. Salinity 1.026. Mild aggression sometimes, but largely these two get along well. The only really concerning thing to me is when the male ends up on his side breathing a bit heavy.

 

[SlugSnorter]

Might be trying use that rock as a host. Clowns will lay on nems.

I can’t tell if it’s fins are deformed or not because of the coloration. Sometimes these designers are not culled properly and can cause odd swimming or eating problems.

they don't seem to be (membranes seems to be intact, you can see the edges)

 

[SlugSnorter]

Testing Params now, just noticed this this morning. I use RODI for salt with tropic Marin salt mix. Salinity 1.026. Mild aggression sometimes, but largely these two get along well. The only really concerning thing to me is when the male ends up on his side breathing a bit heavy.

if no other symptoms, or discoloration, it could be submission. Does the male clown get some food during feeding time?

 

[dach]

Might be trying use that rock as a host. Clowns will lay on nems.

I can’t tell if it’s fins are deformed or not because of the coloration. Sometimes these designers are not culled properly and can cause odd swimming or eating problems

i think his fins are fine, I’ve had him since the end of March and he hasn’t shown any signs of issues. He was also at my LFS for 3+ weeks before i got him.

 

[dach]

if no other symptoms, or discoloration, it could be submission. Does the male clown get some food during feeding time?

Yes, i target feed everyone daily with a turkey baster.

 

[Tamberav]

If he is eating well then I wouldn’t particularly worry about anything. May just be host behavior. Captive clowns can be kinda derpy.

 

[MnFish1]

Since clowns can swim funny at times, it could be 'normal'.

I do not think it is normal though - for a fish to lay on its side like that - and it is breathing somewhat heavily. You could try moving the rock and seeing if that changes the behavior.

It was great that you posted a video - but could you click the Link in my signature - and answer the other questions? So it might become more clear what is happening. So much of disease diagnosis depends on an accurate history - and whats going on with the rest of the tank. I could list several possibilities - but with the rest of the information - that list would be narrowed down considerably.

 

[dach]

If he is eating well then I wouldn’t particularly worry about anything. May just be host behavior. Captive clowns can be kinda derpy.

i hope so, seeing a perfectly healthy fish looking laying on its side just always makes me nervous

 

[dach]

Since clowns can swim funny at times, it could be 'normal'.

I do not think it is normal though - for a fish to lay on its side like that - and it is breathing somewhat heavily. You could try moving the rock and seeing if that changes the behavior.

It was great that you posted a video - but could you click the Link in my signature - and answer the other questions? So it might become more clear what is happening. So much of disease diagnosis depends on an accurate history - and whats going on with the rest of the tank. I could list several possibilities - but with the rest of the information - that list would be narrowed down considerably.

Would you be able to post that list in a reply? I’m on mobile and can’t see a link.

 

[ilikefish69]

Clownfish are reaaaaally weird. My female clown does this every night in the corner of my tank. I think she is sleeping? I wouldn't worry too much as long as clown is still eating.

 

[dach]

Clownfish are reaaaaally weird. My female clown does this every night in the corner of my tank. I think she is sleeping? I wouldn't worry too much as long as clown is still eating.

I think there’s a chance he maybe be guarding this area (potentially eggs? They are really young though) he is now swimming around following the female very closely. Looks totally normal. But just the laying on his side greatly concerned me. Every so often he will return to the same spot and lay on his side again.

 

[MnFish1]

Would you be able to post that list in a reply? I’m on mobile and can’t see a link.

Sure:

In your first post, give us a synopsis of problem: The more complete information the information you can provide, the better. The information that often proves helpful is listed below:

Aquarium Parameters:
Aquarium type: Reef, Fish-only, Quarantine tank
Aquarium water volume
Filtration type
Lighting
How long has the aquarium been established?
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Water quality (be sure to indicate what measurement units you are using)
Temperature
pH:
Salinity / specific gravity
Ammonia
Nitrite
Nitrate
Phosphorus
Copper
Other

In-depth information:
Have you lost any fish to this problem yet? (see below)
Are any invertebrates affected?
Respiration rate of affected fish (in gill beats per minutes, count for 15 seconds and multiply by 4)
Are the affected fish still feeding?
What remedies have you tried so far?
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- if needed, indicate by drawing a line around the area in question.
Short video of the fish (linked YouTube videos work well)

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[MnFish1]

I think there’s a chance he maybe be guarding this area (potentially eggs? They are really young though) he is now swimming around following the female very closely. Looks totally normal. But just the laying on his side greatly concerned me. Every so often he will return to the same spot and lay on his side again.

It could be eggs - especially If it looks like he is fanning the area vigorously. You should be able to see the eggs though.

 

[ScubaFish802]

Looks like the clownfish is submitting to the female or trying to host the GHA.

Params? do you use RODI? any other symptoms? any aggression?

This doesn't look like submissive behavior in my opinion, the less dominant one should do a brief "shake" or "vibration" type of dance to show it is submissive