Weird clownfish behavior or sick

[GHOSTLY]

I was thinking of marking this emergency since the clowns just kinda lying on the sand breathing a little heavier but then I realized its a clown

I light my tank from the side and noticed him lying here so ofc I panicked a bit. I took the light away and immediately he starts swimming. Anyone else got this problem?

 

[GHOSTLY]

I was thinking of marking this emergency since the clowns just kinda lying on the sand breathing a little heavier but then I realized its a clown

I light my tank from the side and noticed him lying here so ofc I panicked a bit. I took the light away and immediately he starts swimming. Anyone else got this problem?

**after observing him for a bit I think it may be a swim bladder issue. He can swim around but after getting tired he drops back down. Anyone have any suggestions?

 

[GHOSTLY]

**after observing him for a bit I think it may be a swim bladder issue. He can swim around but after getting tired he drops back down. Anyone have any suggestions?

Responds to feeding time but doesnt seem to feed and keeps resting

 

[Baldyreef]

@Jay Hemdal can hopefully diagnose the issue and help you out

 

[GHOSTLY]

Doing a very mild Epson salt bath just in case its constipation

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Doing a very mild Epson salt bath just in case its constipation

Epsom salts is a freshwater fish remedy, it doesn’t work on marine fish, as magnesium sulfate is already a major component of seawater.

How long have you had this fish?
Can you post a video taken under white lights?

 

[GHOSTLY]

Epsom salts is a freshwater fish remedy, it doesn’t work on marine fish, as magnesium sulfate is already a major component of seawater.

How long have you had this fish?
Can you post a video taken under white lights?

Ive had this fish a couple months now. He's currently hiding in the middle between rocks so its really hard to catch a photo but same condition atm. Its very random since just yesterday he was eating and behaving normally + his partner doesnt seem to have an issue

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Ive had this fish a couple months now. He's currently hiding in the middle between rocks so its really hard to catch a photo but same condition atm. Its very random since just yesterday he was eating and behaving normally + his partner doesnt seem to have an issue

Could it be intimidation from the other
Clown?

 

[GHOSTLY]

Could it be intimidation from the other
Clown?

Its passed today but I doubt it. The two bonded really quick and never showed signs of aggression before. It seemed like it was a swim bladder issue but I have no idea what caused it

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Its passed today but I doubt it. The two bonded really quick and never showed signs of aggression before. It seemed like it was a swim bladder issue but I have no idea what caused it

Well, true swimbladder issues are pretty rare, and are often chronic, not killing a fish quickly. I’m not sure what happened here, but watch the other clown closely for any issues, in case it was something contagious.

 

[GHOSTLY]

Well, true swimbladder issues are pretty rare, and are often chronic, not killing a fish quickly. I’m not sure what happened here, but watch the other clown closely for any issues, in case it was something contagious.

I pulled it as soon as I seen it pass but ill keep in mind. In your opinion a clown thats constantly sinking, having trouble staying upright, and has very fast acting symptoms could be a sign of what. If its something treatable or common I can try to grab some medicine first. My hawkfish died a couple weeks ago and I still haven't figured out the problem

 

[strich]

Based on what Jay is saying, you'll really want to watch your tank closely over the next month - Sounds like whatever the issue was it's unlikely to be isolated to just that fish. He may have just been the weakest and first to go. In future, I would recommend recording video of the fish (most phones have a slowmo mode that's very useful!) and post your tank params.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I pulled it as soon as I seen it pass but ill keep in mind. In your opinion a clown thats constantly sinking, having trouble staying upright, and has very fast acting symptoms could be a sign of what. If its something treatable or common I can try to grab some medicine first. My hawkfish died a couple weeks ago and I still haven't figured out the problem

Sinking can be a symptom of negative inflation of the swim bladder, but the fish will still navigate on its belly, and still feed.

The hawkfish dying is suspicious of something contagious going on here.