Possible Clownfish problem?

[chaseworth611]

Hey! New to the saltwater hobby and looking for advice/guidance.

The tank is 23 days old at the time of this writing

It has 3 turbo snails and 3 zebra turbos along with 2 clowns, all were added day 18.

Clowns were fine for the first few days, but yesterday I noticed my smaller clown breathing rapidly. Gills are not flared and swims like normal for the most part. But he did NOT eat this evening, swam around but didn't actually eat anything. Seemed uninterested basically. Two hours after feeding time, the smaller clown has disappeared for the most part and is staying under the live rock. Only came out in the video when I came up to the tank.

Ammonia is at zero and the water aeration/oxygen is good I would think? I was told by my LFS that the only test kit I would need for awhile is the ammonia kit and luckily so far I have had no ammonia spikes or any worries. Salinity sits at 1.024 or 1.025, Temp is stable at 77

I've read up saying it could be just a stress response to a new tank and reestablishing the hierarchy in the pair as the bigger of the two nipped and chased the smaller one a bit, especially the first few days and still continues too, but doesn't chase the smaller one around.

Thanks for any and all guidance! It's all greatly appreciated!

 

[gabriellar]

Does the small clown fish behave any differently after you turn the wave down? It looks like it has some trouble swimming as well. I wonder if your current is too strong

 

[winxp_man]

Video under bright white lights. If you can’t see spots (ich), then velvet or brook most likely.

But saying much more beyond this is not possible without a clear video.

Does it swim or stay more in the current of the paper head or return nozzle?

Recommendations QT everything before putting it into your DT. Second what are you testing with? Ammonia that is? How’s the other clown doing?

 

[chaseworth611]

Does the small clown fish behave any differently after you turn the wave down? It looks like it has some trouble swimming as well. I wonder if your current is too strong

I have the nero 3 and run it at 55% from 730am till 930pm (1392 GPH) then turn it down to 35% (1122 GPH) for the evening time, should I turn it way down?

I have a 32 gallon Helloreef AIO

 

[chaseworth611]

Video under bright white lights. If you can’t see spots (ich), then velvet or brook most likely.

But saying much more beyond this is not possible without a clear video.

Does it swim or stay more in the current of the paper head or return nozzle?

Recommendations QT everything before putting it into your DT. Second what are you testing with? Ammonia that is? How’s the other clown doing?

No spots are noticeable at this time, although I can't see him anymore. It managed to get in the back and up under some live rock. Gills never were really flared out, just noticeable quick breathing through the mouth.

Both used to stay at together in the back corner until yesterday, then I saw them in opposite corners and the smaller one was breathing quicker than the bigger one. As of the time of this writing, the bigger one is fine. Swimming around in her back corner and eating basically all the food I put in the tank. I would notice the smaller one especially would go to the surface where as the bigger one rarely would.

Yes, I am testing with Fritz ammonia test strips.

Another question, I'm new to the hobby.. What would I need for a QT tank? and how big of a tank?

 

[Isaac Alves]

I agree the flow might be a little strong for now. It’s hard to do a visual inspection with the video in all blue.

——-

Here’s a good resource on how to set up a quarantine tank. This is how I’ve done it.

https://humble.fish/community/threads/quarantine.2/

 

[chaseworth611]

I agree the flow might be a little strong for now. It’s hard to do a visual inspection with the video in all blue.

——-

Here’s a good resource on how to set up a quarantine tank. This is how I’ve done it.

https://humble.fish/community/threads/quarantine.2/

What do you think I should lower it to?

I haven't seen any kinds of life from my smaller clown since last night, he's up under some live rock and on the sandbed.

 

[Isaac Alves]

i’m so sorry that your clown might not be looking too good.

In my experience, when you’re transporting the animal from a store or transitioning from shipping and moving it into a new environment that’s when the stress impacts the immune system of the animal—- they’ll be vulnerable to whatever internal conditions might be festering.

Differences in salinity, pH, temperature, lighting, flow, new territories— just so many factors. There could also be trace ammonia still that our test kits can’t read that’ll impact immune health — your system is very young in my opinion. It’s a crap shoot.

Seems the smaller one was probably already not the healthiest and couldn’t cope with transition.

I’d actually get in there and examine the weak one, even if it’s already past. See if you can observe signs of any surface issues.

A QT protocol before introducing fish is best. Even just for observation. I used to do individual smaller fish in a five gallon Aqeoun on my desk for a few days with pvc for hiding spots —to get the fish use too just eating good. And I only had a bubbler, heater, and a Seachem ammonia badge. I would change about 25 percent of the water every couple of days. I’ve seen others just use 5 gallon buckets.

 

[chaseworth611]

i’m so sorry that your clown might not be looking too good.

In my experience, when you’re transporting the animal from a store or transitioning from shipping and moving it into a new environment that’s when the stress impacts the immune system of the animal—- they’ll be vulnerable to whatever internal conditions might be festering.

Differences in salinity, pH, temperature, lighting, flow, new territories— just so many factors. There could also be trace ammonia still that our test kits can’t read that’ll impact immune health — your system is very young in my opinion. It’s a crap shoot.

Seems the smaller one was probably already not the healthiest and couldn’t cope with transition.

I’d actually get in there and examine the weak one, even if it’s already past. See if you can observe signs of any surface issues.

A QT protocol before introducing fish is best. Even just for observation. I used to do individual smaller fish in a five gallon Aqeoun on my desk for a few days with pvc for hiding spots —to get the fish use too just eating good. And I only had a bubbler, heater, and a Seachem ammonia badge. I would change about 25 percent of the water every couple of days. I’ve seen others just use 5 gallon buckets.

So get the smaller one out and put them in a QT tank? Does the QT tank need to cycle or anything?

 

[Isaac Alves]

So get the smaller one out and put them in a QT tank? Does the QT tank need to cycle or anything?

I wouldn’t take the fish out in its condition if it’s just laying on the sand. Others might do different. I think the move would be too stressful. I think the best you can do is observe. And make sure the other one is happy and eating.

Look through the humble fish forum and go over common clownfish ailments.

 

[Isaac Alves]

Any updates?

 

[chaseworth611]

Any updates?

Cut off all the lights because everyone I talked to stated they didn't think he was sick, but the rare occasion that clowns don't get along..

However, I haven't seen him for 2-3 days now.

 

[chaseworth611]

Any updates?

Completely disassembled my rock to get to him & there is no trace of him anywhere in the tank.. I have 3 mexican turbo snails and 3 zebra turbos. Would they have possibly devoured him?

 

[dedragon]

I have a 32 gallon Helloreef AIO

do they have a 32 gallon kit or maybe they did before and discountinued?

Would they have possibly devoured him?

definitely once it died

 

[Isaac Alves]

Completely disassembled my rock to get to him & there is no trace of him anywhere in the tank.. I have 3 mexican turbo snails and 3 zebra turbos. Would they have possibly devoured him?

I believe these two guys are strict herbivores. It's possible you have some bristle worms? Or he jumped if you don't have a lid?

 

[dedragon]

I believe these two guys are strict herbivores.

oops might be right there. read it fast and thought mexican red leg hermits. decomp is fast in saltwater as well

 

[chaseworth611]

I believe these two guys are strict herbivores. It's possible you have some bristle worms? Or he jumped if you don't have a lid?

I have no lid, but I would have seen him if it did.. If I have these worms, anything I can/need to do?

My other clown is still going great, she's shifted her "territory" to the front of the tank and she swims around and eats well. Looks very healthy. However she is highly highly aggressive. Even if you're not in her space, she goes out of her way to let you know that you're not wanted. Even from my clowns years ago, they were nowhere near as aggressive as she is. Could she have possibly stressed the smaller one out so much until he just died?

 

[chaseworth611]

do they have a 32 gallon kit or maybe they did before and discountinued?

definitely once it died

They do not have a 32 gallon kit, I had to buy the heater, pumps, my skimmer and all that other stuff.. I just got the tank & stand.

 

[Isaac Alves]

I have no lid, but I would have seen him if it did.. If I have these worms, anything I can/need to do?

My other clown is still going great, she's shifted her "territory" to the front of the tank and she swims around and eats well. Looks very healthy. However she is highly highly aggressive. Even if you're not in her space, she goes out of her way to let you know that you're not wanted. Even from my clowns years ago, they were nowhere near as aggressive as she is. Could she have possibly stressed the smaller one out so much until he just died?

I only mentioned bristle worms with regards to consumption of the fish. You'd be surprised how fast these guys take care of business in the tank. Bristle worms are a sign of a healthy ecosystem in my opinion. Keeping them or removing them is simply up to you. I never remove these guys.