Weak clownfish

Nordy · Apr 18, 2025

Hi,
I have a gladiator clown that has been pretty weak since I acquired him. I bought 3 clowns at the same time for my 158 gallon reef tank. The Picasso and Darwin paired and got large quite fast. So the Gladiator clown was getting beat up constantly. And as previously mentioned, he was a weak swimmer, I have abundant flow in my tank and the poor guy was being over swam by current. So I was able to catch him one day with my hand, and he is now in my small tank in the garage that was intended to be for quarantine, or a hospital tank. The only flow is from a split return and it’s not much return pressure. At night, the Gladiator clown sleeps up against the overflow, like he has no strength and just wants to chill from the pull of the overflow. I got used to seeing that, but it seems more now that he is only at the surface and a lot of the times on his side. Any idea what is going on with this fish, and is there anything I can do to help or treat him?

bluemon · Apr 18, 2025

Probably got bullied too much.

Even in a 158, having more than two clownfish was probably a recipe for disaster.

The clown sleeping above the powerhead isn’t too unusual, many fish do that when they are sleeping. And clownfish are weird.

I would just keep it well fed for now, and maybe throw in a PVC pipe for it to feel safe in.

Are there any external injuries you see from the bullying?

littlefoxx · Apr 18, 2025

Nordy said:
Hi,
I have a gladiator clown that has been pretty weak since I acquired him. I bought 3 clowns at the same time for my 158 gallon reef tank. The Picasso and Darwin paired and got large quite fast. So the Gladiator clown was getting beat up constantly. And as previously mentioned, he was a weak swimmer, I have abundant flow in my tank and the poor guy was being over swam by current. So I was able to catch him one day with my hand, and he is now in my small tank in the garage that was intended to be for quarantine, or a hospital tank. The only flow is from a split return and it’s not much return pressure. At night, the Gladiator clown sleeps up against the overflow, like he has no strength and just wants to chill from the pull of the overflow. I got used to seeing that, but it seems more now that he is only at the surface and a lot of the times on his side. Any idea what is going on with this fish, and is there anything I can do to help or treat him?

Does he eat and act normal during the day? He might just think the overflow is hosting him. My tomato clown thinks my airstone of bubbles is hosting her… they host weird things

Nordy · Apr 19, 2025

The gladiator has been isolated for 6 weeks in my garage tank. He has had it to himself, and I put a bubble tip anemone in there, but being captive bred, and not in danger, it ignores the anemone 100%. It was being bullied, but that was 6 weeks ago. I feed him twice daily. He will eat 4-5 pellets usually. I do give him frozen occasionally. He has never been a strong fish, but is always at the surface on his side most of the time the past week or so.

littlefoxx · Apr 19, 2025

Nordy said:
The gladiator has been isolated for 6 weeks in my garage tank. He has had it to himself, and I put a bubble tip anemone in there, but being captive bred, and not in danger, it ignores the anemone 100%. It was being bullied, but that was 6 weeks ago. I feed him twice daily. He will eat 4-5 pellets usually. I do give him frozen occasionally. He has never been a strong fish, but is always at the surface on his side most of the time the past week or so.

Maybe add an airstone?