Sick clown

[Wingies]

I have noticed that my clown has stopped eating a couple of days ago.

He has always been an enthusiastic eater but has always appeared thin. He was initially the aggressor when I got them but that changed about 6 - 7 weeks ago and the other clown took over that role as he/she grew bigger. There has never been an issue with stopping him eating and he doesnt get picked on, just usual submissive behaviour.

I added 2 peppermint shrimp amd 2 nassarius snails about a month ago.

My parameters are

Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 10
Ph 8.2
Salinity 35ppt
Temp 25.5

The tank cycled in March and they were in copper quarantine for 4 weeks and 2 weeks on prazi treatment.

So I am kinda lost as to what this could be or what to do next.

 

[sgdnycct]

Check for aggression by putting on a video recorder and leaving the room. In my experience this issue is about aggression. If it is, they’ll keep at it until one dies. Best to take the stranger of the two and isolate and see if the weaker improves. Asap.

 

[Wingies]

I'm going to set up quarantine tomorrow.

 

[sgdnycct]

Annotation box in main display IMO is a better and easier option for troubleshooting. Long term a qt if needed. Make sure you take out the stringer of the two, not the weaker.

 

[Wingies]

Okay, I'll see if i can get one tomorrow. We only have 1 pet store

 

[PharmrJohn]

Okay, I'll see if i can get one tomorrow. We only have 1 pet store

Lucky! I have to drive 3000 miles to mine!

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I have noticed that my clown has stopped eating a couple of days ago.

He has always been an enthusiastic eater but has always appeared thin. He was initially the aggressor when I got them but that changed about 6 - 7 weeks ago and the other clown took over that role as he/she grew bigger. There has never been an issue with stopping him eating and he doesnt get picked on, just usual submissive behaviour.

I added 2 peppermint shrimp amd 2 nassarius snails about a month ago.

My parameters are

Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 10
Ph 8.2
Salinity 35ppt
Temp 25.5

The tank cycled in March and they were in copper quarantine for 4 weeks and 2 weeks on prazi treatment.

So I am kinda lost as to what this could be or what to do next.

With a fish breathing that hard, thin and not eating, severe water quality issues or more likely, parasitic disease are the most common causes.

Is the other clown 100% symptom free? If so, something unique to this fish may have changed that made it lose its dominance. One possibility is an internal disease called coccidia - sorry, but it isn't treatable. Another possibility that is common in tank raised clownfish is genetic or developmental issues - you say this fish has always tended to be thin, that could have been a sign of that, and then things got worse.

 

[Wingies]

The other clown is growing, eating well and looks good. So should I seperate them or leave him be and see what happens?

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

The other clown is growing, eating well and looks good. So should I seperate them or leave him be and see what happens?

You could do that, but in reality, I don't see a way to reverse that rapid breathing issue, and ultimately, that is going to prove fatal.....sorry!

 

[Wingies]

Okay, I'll just let him be then. Thanks for your advice.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I have noticed that my clown has stopped eating a couple of days ago.

He has always been an enthusiastic eater but has always appeared thin. He was initially the aggressor when I got them but that changed about 6 - 7 weeks ago and the other clown took over that role as he/she grew bigger. There has never been an issue with stopping him eating and he doesnt get picked on, just usual submissive behaviour.

I added 2 peppermint shrimp amd 2 nassarius snails about a month ago.

My parameters are

Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 10
Ph 8.2
Salinity 35ppt
Temp 25.5

The tank cycled in March and they were in copper quarantine for 4 weeks and 2 weeks on prazi treatment.

So I am kinda lost as to what this could be or what to do next.

Fish is very thin and can be internal but unconfirmed. How are you testing water which is a suspect cause despite other occupants and inverts doing well

 

[Wingies]

I have API test kits. I dont believe there is an issue with my water quality unless its something I'm not testing, but he is the only one showing issues. I do 20% water change every week.

 

[MnFish1]

I have noticed that my clown has stopped eating a couple of days ago.

He has always been an enthusiastic eater but has always appeared thin. He was initially the aggressor when I got them but that changed about 6 - 7 weeks ago and the other clown took over that role as he/she grew bigger. There has never been an issue with stopping him eating and he doesnt get picked on, just usual submissive behaviour.

I added 2 peppermint shrimp amd 2 nassarius snails about a month ago.

My parameters are

Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 10
Ph 8.2
Salinity 35ppt
Temp 25.5

The tank cycled in March and they were in copper quarantine for 4 weeks and 2 weeks on prazi treatment.

So I am kinda lost as to what this could be or what to do next.

Thanks for all the information. When clowns are pairing, one may 'take over' the other - make sure the 'sick' one is eating. It's unlikely you have a parasite, etc - unless perhaps an internal one. since none of the other fish have an issue. Can you post some pictures under white light - and thanks for giving so much information

 

[Wingies]

This is this morning.

 

[Wingies]

He unfortunately died. Will the female be okay on her own? She is the only fish in the tank.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

He unfortunately died. Will the female be okay on her own? She is the only fish in the tank.

Sorry to hear.

Clownfish can be kept alone with no issues at all.