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FAQs about the Diseases of Clownfishes, Social, Behavioral,
Territorial
Related FAQs: Clownfish Disease 1,
Diseases of Clownfishes 2, Diseases
of Clownfishes 3, Clownfish Disease 4, Clownfish
Disease 5, Clownfish Disease 6, Clownfish
Disease 7, Clownfish Disease 8,
Clownfish Disease 9,
Clownfish Disease 10, Clownfish
Disease 11, Clownfish Disease 12,
Clownfish Disease 13,
Clownfish Disease 14,
Clownfish Disease 15, & FAQs on Clownfish
Disease By: Environmental Stress,
Nutrition,
Trauma/Mechanical Injury, & Pathogens: Lymphocystis,
Infectious Disease (Bacteria, Fungi...), Protozoans:
Cryptocaryon/Ich, Amyloodinium/Velvet,
Brooklynella (see article below), &
Mysteries/Anomalous Losses,
Cure, Success Stories, &
Clownfishes in General,
Clownfish Identification,
Clownfish Selection, Clownfish
Compatibility, Clownfish Behavior, Clownfish Systems, Clownfish
Feeding, Clownfishes
and Anemones, Breeding
Clowns
Related Articles: Clownfish Disease,
Brooklynellosis, Clownfishes,
Maroon Clowns, Marine
Disease,
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If there proves to be too much antagonism between your
Clowns, it is highly recommended you give the alpha individual a "time out",
by placing it in a floating colander, all-plastic "breeding net" of size,
what have you, to grant the "beta" individual a chance to become better
established. RMF. |
Anemone bleaching
New Bulbs Shocking the Anemone, Clownfish Fighting – 6/4/08
Hi WWM
<Hello Joe, Brenda here!>
I love this site it is so helpful every time I come across a problem.
<That is good to hear, thank you! >
I have a reef tank that is about 3-4 years old. I was neglecting it to an extent
this past year and it has the same power compact bulbs in there for 2 years!
<Yikes! These should be changed out about every 9 months. >
I have a couple corals, flame angel, six-line wrasse, sand sifter goby, and a
BTA. The BTA was doing fine under the lighting I had, it was brown in color and
was looking healthy. I just replaced the lights (thank god) and added 2 false
Percs. They are hanging out near the anemone and for the first week they were
fine. Now they will not stop fighting, locking jaws and spinning around.
Constantly they are battling and this has been going on for about a week.
<You may have two females. If so they will fight to the death of one or both of
them. >
I have also noticed my anemone is now starting to turn whiter towards the top of
it. Could this be from replacing the lights?
<Yes. >
Should I only have them on half of the normal cycle?
<I recommend putting some window screen over the tank for a week or so to get
the anemone used to the light. What size tank is this on, and how many watts of
PC do you have? How much is day light and how much is actinic? >
What can I do about the clownfish fighting?
<If they are both females you can’t do anything except remove one. How big are
these clownfish? It is not uncommon for newly introduced clownfish to fight.
However, you will have to be the judge and decide if they need to be separated
or if they are possibly working things out. >
Thanks Joe
<You’re welcome! Brenda>
Disease or Injury?
Chromis aggr. -11/27/2007
Hi there,
<Richard>
I wonder if you can help. I am a great fan of your website. Every time I
google something marine-related, your site comes up!
<Obviously... we both have good tastes!>
I have a 35 UK gallon tank with 2 ocellaris clownfish (juveniles, been
in tank approx 1 month). The only other inhabitant is 1 juvenile yellow
tail damsel (Chromis xanthurus).
<Mmmm>
Against my better judgment the LFS advised me to try 3 damsels before
clownfish as they were more hardy. I have observed this damsel
systematically 'bully' the other two damsels to death over the course of
the next few weeks (first one stayed permanently under a rock and lasted
2 days, second one then did exactly the same thing but lasted about 10
days). I did go back to the shop to look for advice (unfortunately too
late for the damsels).
<I'd return this fish to your stockist>
The 2 clownfish I bought appeared to be buddies and began swimming
together and interacting a lot when first introduced. They also appeared
to hold their own against the remaining bully damsel. However, this
morning I noticed that the clownfish were separated and that one of them
is hiding under a rock (in similar fashion to the damsel victims).
The other clownfish also appears to be quite subdued i.e. not moving
position very often. This is in contrast to the damsel, who now
investigates them often and fake charges them, shoots around the tank
and generally looks like he/she owns the place.
<Does>
One of the clownfish has now developed some marks on this head. There
are about 3 or very small white marks that stick out a little bit. He
also did not feed or move out from under the rock when food was
introduced. As always appears to happen to me, I didn't get to see how
this happened and I am surprised that this mark has just appeared. I am
at a loss to figure out whether it is some sort of abrasion (possibly
from the bullying damsel) or whether it is some sort of disease? If it
is a disease I am surprised I didn't notice it growing slowly?
<This is much more likely physical trauma marks... and/or simple stress>
However, I note that Brooklynella is mentioned on your website quite a
bit, is this possible.
<Not likely. Would have shown much earlier>
There don't appear to be any marks on the gills. My reading for the tank
are 0 for Ammonia, Nitrites, Nitrates and salinity on 1.024, ph 8.3. Any
pointers as regards how to diagnose whether this is bullying related or
a disease is appreciated.
<Remove the Chromis>
I was considering taking the bully back to the LPS anyway and I am just
suspicious that at least one clownfish is showing the same behaviour the
2 bullied damsels exhibited. I did recently introduce some marine turbo
snails, can they harbour fish diseases?
<Can, but again, rare... the bullying Damsel has to go. Stat. Bob
Fenner>
Richard
Sick Clown Fish...
env. and social 11/22/07
Hi
<Hello>
We have three Clarki clownfish in our 5ft tank that has been and an
extra large bubble tip anemone that they all reside in. The tank has
been running for about 5 months now and also contains 1 small Blue
Spotted Stingray,
<Needs much more room>
2 Green Chromis, 1 Yellow Bellied Damsel, 2 Yellow Tailed Damsels, 1
Long Spiked Urchin, 3 Sea Snails and 4 2-4cm Sea Hares,
<Do check the species... some are coldwater...>
as well as, various coral species.
Recently the largest clown fish has become bloated, does not enter into
the anemone, spends most of her time swimming listlessly or hiding in
various parts of the tank and yesterday started developing white scaly
marks all over her body as well as cloudy eyes with white spots in the
in both her eyes.
<Yikes>
The smallest fish has started to not enter into the anemone but does not
show any other symptoms or different behaviour.
The third fish is happily residing in the anemone as per usual.
<The "winner" here...>
Our salt water levels are at the correct level and though the ph level
was at 7.5
<Yeeikes!>
this has been remedied using KH and ph buffer tablets.
<Umm... I would be reading re the mix of compounds in use here...
testing for Mg, Ca...>
Is there anything else that you can recommend as we have not previously
had any other illness in our tank and I am unsure of how to go about
fixing this.
Thanks for all your help
Sheridan
<Mmm, not a high-confidence guess here... but likely a combo. of the one
Clark's clown driving out its conspecifics and whatever the cause of the
low pH and its "fixing" at play here. I urge you to take a long journey
reading over the areas of WWM re Maintenance, the Compatibility of all
the species you list... Bob Fenner>
Clownfish acting
strange... not really. Overcrowded, untenable mix 8/2/07
Good evening. I've been reading questions and answers on WWM for a
while, but this is my first question submission. I'm concerned about the
health of a new addition to our reef tank (a true percula clown). We
purchased him about three weeks ago, QTed him for two weeks (he seemed
ok), and he's been in the main tank for about a week.
<Clownfishes are social animals... should not be kept singly... Was this
specimen tank-bred/raised?>
Over the last couple of days, he has been swimming/hovering near the
surface, in the back left rear corner of the tank, at about a 45 degree
angle. When I fed today he got very active, darting around, but would
take in food pieces and kind of "spit them back out", with a poofing
motion.
Then, he returned to his previous location and is still there as I type
this.
<Not unusual behavior... Named "clowns" for more than their coloration>
I don't see any white mucus on him, but respiration is moderate to
heavy, and I see a couple of "notches" out of his fins. This is strange,
because we don't have any aggressive or otherwise nippy fish in there
with him. (Royal Gramma, three Chromis,
<These can be trouble...>
a Green Clown Goby and a cleaner shrimp)
The setup/parameters are as follows:
-29 gallon tank
<Way too small for what you list...>
-PC lighting
-40 lbs LR
-Nitrate: < 5.0
-Ammonia: 0
-Phosphate: approx 0
-Temp: 82 deg F
Calcium was a little low last I tested for that, but otherwise, water
chemistry is within acceptable parameters.
Should I give him another day or two and see if his behavior improves?
<You need a much larger world...>
I know sometimes clowns host strange objects when no anemone is present,
but there's no equipment near the area he's been hanging around in.
Advice on the current/next course of action would be much appreciated.
Thank you very much for your time.
-Matt
<Please read re the "Systems", "Compatibility" for the life you list.
You have an untenable, too-crowded mix... Trouble ahead w/o your action.
Bob Fenner>
Saddleback Clown Injury 5/4/07
I recently started stocking my newly plumbed 125 gal. tank. One of
the first to go in was my saddleback clown. For the first three weeks
she seemed happy as a clam, although I did notice some slight cloudiness
to her eyes which I attributed to the lighting in the holding tank I had
her in previous. That seemed to clear up rather quickly though and
three weeks later I deemed it time for her apparent friend (a blue regal
tang) to come out of ich rehab. Now it's been two days since the Tang's
re-introduction, and now the saddleback has a nice gash in her head
(flap of skin and all), <they are called surgeonfish for a reason> a
vertical white streak below one of her pectoral fins and a small patch
of grey-white on the front tip of her dorsal fin. The marks don't
particularly look like ich to me, and I've not seen any scratching
against the rocks, but she does dive into the same area of sand somewhat
often and has created a nice crater which she seems to enjoy spending
most of her time. <Digging is normal for clowns.> I also recently added
three emerald crabs, which she tried carrying off the second each one
started floating down. Before I write a novel; my question is this: Do
these symptoms resemble a disease or infection, or is it more likely
that she's just got some scrapes from "horsing around"? <Not horsing
around, getting beat up by the tang and it "scalpel".> Any insight would
be tremendous.
Thank you,
Jules
<Need to watch this very closely. If the tang's aggression continues
the fish will need to be separated. The tang can do serious injury with
their tail spines.>
<Chris>
Clownfish... likely env. dis. - 5/8/2006
I have a 29g reef tank, I had/have a black clown, an orange perc, and a
Lemonpeel angelfish.
<... not enough room for this species...>
The Lemonpeel had visible ick so I got a blood shrimp to take care of the
problem, well, a week later that died. Before that My two clowns started pairing
up, the male (orange perc) came down with some sort of disease, I thought It was
ick, but he just kept swimming erratically, breathing heavy, not eating and in
the QT tank I put him in he would just swim at the bottom and not eat, towards
the end his fins looked frayed. The black clown is now acting similar. It has a
coating on the body that looks like an orange-ish color. fins are starting to
fray and swimming erratically, no heavy breathing and is still readily eating
(doesn't want to eat in the morning though) I took the black clown out of my
display tank and gave a freshwater dip for about 10 minutes, then placed in my
QT Tank and treated with CopperSafe and MelaFix. My question is, what can I do
to make sure this clown wont
die? Also, Is it Marine Velvet? Clownfish Disease? All the pics I've seen look
nothing like what my fish has.
<... no info. re water quality tests, testing... Please read here:
http://wetwebmedia.com/clndisfaqs.htm
and the many Clownfish FAQs files linked above... you'll "get it"... Bob Fenner>
Re: Clownfish... likely env. dis. 5/9/06
Thank you for the response Bob,
<Welcome>
I didn't know my tank was too small for the Lemonpeel, My fault. Anyways, My
water parameters were all 0. I have been doing weekly 10g water changes and
vacuuming of the substrate. I take my water to my LFS to get it tested. So I am
not sure what sort of testing supplies they use.
<FWIW, I'd have my own kits (samples change with time, transport), and learn how
to use, what the results imply...>
I do have a frogspawn, trumpet, mushrooms and green star polyps in my main tank
along with shrimp and snails all have shown no signs of stress. The firefish I
have in there is also healthy and showing no signs of stress. This morning the
black clown was looking a little better and eating spectrum Thera A with Garlic
Xtreme. Should I go a water change and slowly implement Hyposalinity in my QT
tank?
<... please see WWM re this technique. Bob Fenner>
Please help me with my clown fishy
Hi there!
<Howdy>
I just started my first salt water tank and I got two small clownfish and a blue damsel. I have had the fish for about 3 weeks now. The first week
the two clown fish were fighting and I thought they were going to kill each other, even though they came from the same tank.
<Happens... new, likely smaller system... new social dynamic>
The next week all was well but I noticed a couple of white bumps on the right side of one of the clownfish's mouth (rouge). At first I thought it was some skin that had been bitten from the other fish but then
I noticed it looked like little white heads.
I have read almost all your Q's & A's but I still don't know what it is.
<Could be "nothing"... like "zits" of humans... stress manifestation... though perhaps an indication of something more sinister>
Another thing is both of the clown fish hover around one of the pumps and constantly sprint to the top like they want out. I have checked the water and
everything is normal, and he eats regularly. It is a 10 gallon tank and only has
the 3 fish and a live rock, shell, and a coral thing.
<... this tank is too small for these fish... and the sprinting behavior worries me... I might suggest you have the tank checked for "electrical leakage"...>
The two pumps are under gravel filters with carbon cartridges. Does my clown fish have fungus or
some kind of disease?? And how do I cure it?
Thanks, Shana
<Shana... there is much, actually too much to relate to you here, succinctly. I strongly encourage you to take the time and read through ALL of our archives on Clownfishes... Please start here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/clownfis.htm
and carefully read through the linked files (at top), taking down notes... You need a larger system... to use a meter, probe to ascertain if you have an electrical short/ground problem... and to "figure out what you really want to do"... get a larger system, trade these fish in... wait out and see if there actually is a biological disease agent at play here... Bob Fenner>
Help please (small system, maroon clowns, live rock...)
Mr. Fenner,
Oh boy have I gotten in over my head. A friend gave
me an aquarium, 30 gallons with live sand/coral. She
told me it had been cycled (she had it a long time)
and was ready to go. I let it run for a week, then
bought a cleanup crew and some rock. I realize I have
a bunch of questions and will be very grateful if you
can answer a few!
<I will try>
I have read a lot of your info on
your site...but this is overwhelming.
I'm confused about the rock and I'm reading and
hearing conflicting information.
<There is plenty of this in our interest... and therefore a need for a clear, discerning mind, and searching, ferreting out on ones own>
I purchased
pre-cured live rock from ffexpress. According to
them, I could add one or a few pieces a day to my
tank. I put it in a separate container with a
powerhead and heater. It's obvious to me from my
levels. that I can't add it that fast.
<Yes, I do believe my personal experience over any stated "fact">
Now my fish
and other stuff (think I ordered too much) is here and
I've had some deaths. Should I just leave the rocks
in the separate container for a while? How long? Is
a powerhead and heater all I need until the rocks
stabilize? Should I take out the two rocks I've put
in my tank already?
<Please read over the "Live Rock Curing FAQs" areas on the www.WetWebMedia.com site. I would NOT add any more live rock, so-called cured or not, to this system till all stabilizes there (by measuring aspects of nitrogen cycling: ammonia, nitrite). I would engage water changes with pre-made water should either measure approach 1.0 ppm. I would feed nothing to very little to the livestock there during this period. This may take days to a few weeks. Your curing container set-up should be fine; do test the water, change it as needed there as well. I would likely NOT move the rock in the tank already.>
I'm a little hesitant to take out the rock because it
is sheltering some of the fish. I think I was a
little misled about what fish to get. I got a pair of
Maroon Clowns, a Flame Angel and a Banggai.
<For a thirty gallon? I would trade out the Flame Angel>
The
clowns were supposed to be a pair...but the little guy
is picking on everyone.. including the mate. I was led
to believe this was a good combination. What can I do
if they don't get along?
<You could sell them, trade them for other livestock... I would likely wait on the Maroon Clowns at this point... as they are likely too stressed to be moved. This is too aggressive, large a species to keep in such a small tank>
Thanks for your help.....I have a million more
questions, but will continue to read your site.
Sara
<Very well my friend. Do contact me if there is something more I might do. And do weigh more than one opinion (yes, even mine) in judging important matters in the hobby. There are many good people to help you (perhaps sign up to one of the listservs re reefs, marine aquariums); listen to all, decide for yourself. Bob
Fenner>
Re: help please
Thank you Bob for your answer. The larger clown died
within hours (he looked bad on arrival...maybe that's
why he was being picked on.)
<Sorry to hear/read of your loss>
The smaller one is
behaving better now. I guess I'll see how he does.
Everyone else seems ok. I'll keep my fingers crossed
and an eye on the water.
Thanks again for your help.
Sara
<My thoughts are with you. Life to you my friend. Bob Fenner>
Clown question (health, symbionts)
Hello again Mr. Fenner,
I will keep this short.
My 2 tank raised Percula clowns have adopted my flowerpot corals a host over the last few days.
<Yes, this happens>
Last night, the larger clown would
hardly leave the coral & seemed to be enjoying himself
<Herself. Please read: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/clownfis.htm>
immensely.
This morning when the lights came on, he was dead, against the
inlet sponge. Could the flowerpot coral have caused this???
<Hmm, yes... could have>
All my levels are perfect.
I wont tempt you w/sushi in Vegas this time.
Thanx in advance
Craig
<Sorry to hear/read of your loss my friend. Please read over the WWM site re the Flowerpot/Goniopora Coral (family Poritidae), anemone symbionts, clownfish health... Bob Fenner>
Euthanasia
Bob,
Hope all is cool with you and yours! Wanted to write and get your take on
my attempts at cross breeding A. chrysopterus with A. sandaracinos. I have
had one mixed pair together for about a year that laid down a couple of
nests that were consumed. Last night the chrysopterus ripped a big chunk
out of the poor sandaracinos.
<Yikes>
The only thing I can think of is that other
clown females tend to abuse even long term mates for lack of cooperation.
<Likely... a form of competition>
I
guess the sandaracinos didn't stand a chance in this case. My fear is that
the sandaracinos was blinded in one eye and may eventually succumb to
infection as a result of his wounds. Do you think I should put him down if
an infection becomes terminal?
<Yes... but the Amphiprionae/Clownfishes are remarkably resilient, regenerative as you likely know>
In the past I've placed fish in a sizable
container and placed them in the freezer to end their suffering. Can you
think of a more humane way of dispatching a terminal fish?
<This is my favored method for small specimens...>
Thanks!
Jeff Lawson
Eco-Tropic
<Be chatting. Bob Fenner>
Aggression as the Cause of Mysterious Ailments
Thanks for the coral advice, I figured something was up. I think the
aggression might be the cause of the Clowns physical behavior, whenever I move anything in the tank or the anemone moves to a new spot she gets sick.
<Also, do make your hands are clean and free from soap, hand creams, after shave, etc.>
Thanks for figuring it out. You guys are good. I need to get some got reference books to learn more.
Jason
Sick Clown
Bob,
Thanks for the great web site. I have been reading through a lot of the articles
and FAQ's and have learnt a lot in my short time in the hobby.
<Great to hear/read>
The reason for writing is that I have a new Common Clown who seems to be sick.
He is one of a pair that were purchased a week ago. When introduced into the
aquarium (200L/ 50gal) the two clowns were fine and swam happily together. It
did not take long for the larger of the pair (2 1/2") to start harassing the
smaller (1 1/2") (male?)
<Maybe>
and giving him a really hard time. I have since
separated the two as you suggest by using a breeder trap and placing the
aggressive clown in that.
<Good idea/move>
However the smaller clown is still not eating and has faded a little. He is also
trailing a very fine white thread from the vent and has become very very
inactive. Is this the effect of stress alone or could the clown be suffering
from an illness of some form. The fish were at the LFS for quite a while and
looked good together every time I visited.
<Were they wild-caught (versus captive propagated)? Likely some sort of internal parasite/infectious agent if the former...>
The tank set-up is relatively new but has been cycled with damsels and the ammonia and nitrite levels are within acceptable ranges.
Any ideas on what I can do to get the great little fish back to his former self.
Regards,
Scott Alford,
Sydney, Australia
<A few choices here... if there seemed a good chance this Clown would resume feeding, I might spike its food with a bit of Metronidazole/Flagyl powder, hoping to flush out an internal parasite... If not, just keeping the system stable and optimized would likely do it in time. At the more extreme, removal to a separate treatment tank with lowered specific gravity and elevated temperature might be called for. Do keep your eyes keen on the fish's sides as there may well be velvet (Amyloodinium) or Brooklynella as the real culprit here. Bob Fenner, just back from Brisbane, Gladstone, Heron Island this month. >
Sudden clownfish death 4/24/07
Hello! I have a 37 gallon fish-only saltwater tank that has been up and
running for a year now. All water parameters are great and stable. My question
is my false percula clownfish which I've had for almost a year died suddenly a
half hour after I added my new Coral Beauty angelfish to the tank.
<This system is too small...>
There was no interaction between the two fish at all. I should mention that
the clown was acting weird prior to the new addition. He was hovering in the
corner and had not eaten for two days.
<...? Why would you introduce a new fish to this system?>
Physically he appeared fine with no visible signs of disease. This is the first
fish I have lost.
<Not a good feeling, eh?>
The only other fish in the tank are a lawnmower blenny and a firefish which are
both acting fine and eating well (as well as the new coral beauty). What really
stumps me is the way he died. We was swimming out of his corner to investigate
the new fish. All the sudden he looked pale and fell sideways to the
bottom. Then suddenly he spasmed around the tank like he was having a seizure
then fell t
o the bottom head first - dead. What caused his death?
<In a word, likely further stress...>
Did the site of the new fish just spook him to death?
<The proverbial "straw that broke the camel's back"... probably>
I'm stumped. Thanks for your help.
~ Brenda
<Welcome. Bob Fenner>
Re: Sudden clownfish death 4/24/07
Thanks for your help. I am planning on getting a 75 or 90 gallon tank in
the very near future (which is why I bought the coral beauty).
I know I probably should have waited to buy the coral beauty
<Yes...>
but I had it on hold at the fish store for a few weeks before the clownfish
exhibited any problems.
<Unrelated>
The clown had been healthy all this time (almost a year). So you think it was
stress that killed him?
<Yes... I don't just "pull folks fins" here...>
I'm just worried about my other fish (although they all seem fine). Also, I now
want to replace the clownfish but I'm worried the Coral Beauty won't except a
new arrival.
<Not likely an issue in the larger tank... however, this Dwarf won't likely live
in the present situation...>
She has not bothered my other two fish at all. Is four fish (Firefish,
Lawnmower Blenny, Coral Beauty, Percula Clownfish). acceptable for my size tank
(37 gallon)?
<No>
Their would be no further additions until I get the bigger tank. Thanks again.
~ Brenda
<Read re the species listed on WWM... their Systems, Compatibility... BobF>
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