UPSIDE DOWN CLOWNFISH????

aquablizz · Dec 10, 2017

upside down clownfish??? I really thought my Tomato clown was going to bite the dust... for over 3 weeks he has seemed to lost his balance swimming at times almost in a verticle position until I approach the tank and then he straightens out. Occasionally he even appears to be swimming on his back yet he eats just fine and still enjoys being in the bubble tip that host him.. Anyone else out there seen this behavior???

blizz

Tyreef2016 · Dec 10, 2017

not saying this is it, but check out swim bladder disease.

hopefully someone with more knowledge chimes in soon.

aquablizz · Dec 10, 2017

thanks

keddre · Dec 10, 2017

I'm thinking swim bladder too from the sound of it

aquablizz · Dec 10, 2017

can anything be done to help it?? Have had this clown for a few years,, only thing new is a bubble tip anemone that the clown went to within 5 minutes of placement.. He stays with the anemone the entire night but during the day,, moves about the tank in an abnormal way.. anyone ever heard of anemone's affecting the health of a fish??

Deinonych · Dec 10, 2017

Swim bladder disorders usually present themselves with the fish in a head-down position, with an exaggerated shimmying behavior. If the fish is swimming vertically with its head pointed up, that is an indication of a spinal injury. This is more common in fish like wrasses and tilefish which are easily startled. Never heard of a clownfish with this problem, but I guess there's no reason it couldn't happen.

Humblefish · Dec 10, 2017

I've had older clownfish (10-15 years) develop swim bladder disorders. Best thing to do is buy her an anemone she can just lay in all day. I've had clownfish live another 5 years this way. :p

Now, if you can actually see the gas bubble then you can lance it out: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/venting-a-swim-bladder-black-cap-basslet.219954/