Lethargic clownfish heavy breathing?

[jadedog]

Good evening,

I have a 40 lagoon with a pair of clowns, 1 flamehawk and a melanurus wrasse. I recently noticed the female clown appears very lazy and lethargic. All other fish including the male clown are normal. None of the fish show a visible disease. I'm thinking possibly gill flukes. I've had these fish together for about 50 days so far. I did a observation quarantine for 3 weeks on both the wrasse and flamehawk. I have prazlpro on hand but I'm cautious to dose due to the wrasse. Looking for any opinions thanks.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Good evening,

I have a 40 lagoon with a pair of clowns, 1 flamehawk and a melanurus wrasse. I recently noticed the female clown appears very lazy and lethargic. All other fish including the male clown are normal. None of the fish show a visible disease. I'm thinking possibly gill flukes. I've had these fish together for about 50 days so far. I did a observation quarantine for 3 weeks on both the wrasse and flamehawk. I have prazlpro on hand but I'm cautious to dose due to the wrasse. Looking for any opinions thanks.

Tough to say if it's gill flukes or not. the timing is about right for that, but the lethargy isn't a primary symptom. Also, flame hawks are really prone to flukes, so it being symptom free is odd.

You can safely use prazipro if you dose to the NET volume of the tank's water and if you add extra aeration.

 

[jadedog]

Tough to say if it's gill flukes or not. the timing is about right for that, but the lethargy isn't a primary symptom. Also, flame hawks are really prone to flukes, so it being symptom free is odd.

You can safely use prazipro if you dose to the NET volume of the tank's water and if you add extra aeration.

Would you suggest I wait for more signs of symptoms? Does the clown look like it's breathing hard in the video? Thanks for advice!

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Would you suggest I wait for more signs of symptoms? Does the clown look like it's breathing hard in the video? Thanks for advice!

Sorry, yes, the clown in the video is breathing too fast and too deeply.

Does the tank have good aeration (not just circulation)? If so, I think a prazipro treatment would be something to try.

Here is my post on dosing prazi:

Dosing Praziquantel (PZQ)

Using Praziquantel (PZQ) to treat flukes Overview In the early 1990’s, a researcher at the New York Aquarium published a paper on using Praziquantel (PZQ) to help control flukes, a parasitic flatworm. Also known as monogenean trematodes, these fish parasites can cause significant mortality in...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[jadedog]

Sorry, yes, the clown in the video is breathing too fast and too deeply.

Does the tank have good aeration (not just circulation)? If so, I think a prazipro treatment would be something to try.

Here is my post on dosing prazi:

Dosing Praziquantel (PZQ)

Using Praziquantel (PZQ) to treat flukes Overview In the early 1990’s, a researcher at the New York Aquarium published a paper on using Praziquantel (PZQ) to help control flukes, a parasitic flatworm. Also known as monogenean trematodes, these fish parasites can cause significant mortality in...

www.reef2reef.com

I only have the 525gph mighty jet running on the 40gal long with the nozzles hitting the surface and two ai Nero 3s. I'll probably toss in a airstone for tonight and maybe buy a protein skimmer for some more aeration. The clown does appear to be breathing less rapidly as of now. I'll see if the extra aeration helps at all if not I'll consider dosing the prazi tomorrow.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I only have the 525gph mighty jet running on the 40gal long with the nozzles hitting the surface and two ai Nero 3s. I'll probably toss in a airstone for tonight and maybe buy a protein skimmer for some more aeration. The clown does appear to be breathing less rapidly as of now. I'll see if the extra aeration helps at all if not I'll consider dosing the prazi tomorrow.

Airstone will be of benefit and monitor ammonia with a reliable test kit

 

[jadedog]

I'm going to dose the prazi she flashed twice against the back wall and breathing is still heavy. Will be dropping in two airstones and pointing all pumps to the surface. I'll dose according to your post Jay.