|
|
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, |
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. |
Tank Mate Aggression, Clowns/Damsels 4/13/09
Hi Guys,
< Hello Steve! >
I have a question about one of my Percula Clowns. He is losing the
black coloring on the tips of his fins.......almost gray. His white
strips seem less vibrant as well. He still eats but is not as
interested. He stays near the bottom of the tank and hides which is
atypical for him. The other clown and the damsel (the only other
fish) seem to pick on him as well.
I cannot see another lesions or "cotton" to suggest bacterial or
fungal infection, but I wonder if it is fungus?
< Most likely territorial and/or nutritional issues. Damsels and
clownfish are very aggressive, territorial animals and unless the
sickly Perc is removed, his days are probably numbered. Please read
here http://www.wetwebmedia.com/clnfshdisart.htm as well as browsing
the FAQs on territorial and nutritional issues...... Adam Jenkins>
The tank is 30 gal, some finger leather, brittle fish, and assorted
hermits, peppermint shrimp.
Any suggestions?
Thank you
Steve
Ocellaris Clownfish Mouth Torn, social dis. - 02/08/09
Hi Crew,
<Bonnie>
For 3 years my two orange & white Ocellaris
Clownfish in my reef tank have gotten along with never any aggression
towards each other. Three months ago, I added two black & white
Ocellaris Clowns to the tank. (I know you're never to mix clownfish, but
I felt that since all the clowns were from the Ocellaris family,
<Species>
that would be o.k.)
<Mmm, no... not unless there's a
very large bit of open space...>
It actually helped my orange & white
clowns to leave their surrogate anemone (a large xenia) and feel more
comfortable swimming out and about in the open. All got along great for
3 months with no signs of aggression.
However, recently each orange
& white clown has paired off with a black & white clown. So, I guess to
these clownfish, an Ocellaris is an Ocellaris
-
<Correct>
color doesn't matter! The problem I have witnessed now is that the two
orange & white Ocellaris have begun bullying each other. They lock lips
and jerk their heads from side to side.
<Ah, the joys of "marriage">
The one orange & white clown has about a quarter of an inch of his upper
lip missing. My question is, will this clown's lip regenerate itself in
time and grow back?
<I hope so... Only time can/will tell>
Thanks
for your response.
Bonnie
<It may be a good idea to separate
these two... put the undamaged one in a floating plastic colander in the
tank... for a week or so... to allow the other to heal, take some "spit
und vinegar" out of its mate. Bob Fenner> Re: Ocellaris
Clownfish Mouth Torn 02/09/09
Bob:
Thanks so much for
your response. Good idea about the colander. I have one of those square
plastic containers that hangs on the top lip of the aquarium I use to
acclimate new fish/corals I add to my reef tank.
<Ahh!>
I can
drill a few holes on the sides of it, sands down any rough edges and use
it! Thanks again!
Bonnie
<Welcome Bonnie. Please make it known how
this all turns out. Bob Fenner> Black and white clownfish
color loss... lack of fdg., data 1/15/09
Okay so... I
have a black and white clownfish about 2 years old eats pellet and mysis
hates flake. So this week I noticed that she had a white stripe from arm
fin to start of tail fin about half and inch wide. Not so much white as
it is a pale black discoloration.
<Stress coloration... Something/s
amiss here>
She is still eating spectrum pellets but puts the mysis
in her mouth and spits it out?
<Another bad sign>
I tried to catch
her to put her in a qt but she wasn't having it. I've done searches and
don't know what this could be? I've had ick before and velvet and I've
seen a clown with brook.. it doesn't seem like any of those. The fish is
not slimy in anyway just like she was tagged on both sides in the exact
same spot...so what gives?? Please help I don't want to lose her.
Thanks,
Alyssa
<Let's default, check on the most likely cause
here... water quality... Test for accumulated metabolites... For most
folks this is just Nitrates... at any length, serial dilutions (water
changes), the use of GAC (carbon)... are useful. Send data please...
water tests. Bob Fenner> Re: black and white clownfish
color loss 1/19/09
Hi-
I have done all my tests and my
readings are some what normal, except I need to lower my nitrates.
<I
see>
Ammonia-0
Nitrate-30
Nitrite-0
PH- 8.2
Cal-480
<Ooh, this is a bit high... might be an issue... especially if you're
Magnesium is far out of balance (should be in an approximately 3:1 ratio
with Ca>
KH-179
Do you think that any of these reading would
possible make the clown have a white stripe on him?
<I am doubtful
that "this is it" in terms of root cause... Likely something else that
is not mentioned (social let's say) or other chemical issue...
When,
where in doubt, I'd do some serial water changing... perhaps add some
activated carbon and/or Polyfilter to your water flow path>
Thanks,
Alyssa
<Welcome. Bob Fenner> Re: black and white
clownfish color loss 1/19/09
Dear Mr. Fenner-
<Just Bob
please>
I am almost certain it was my mean Cherub Angel.
<Ahh!
This could definitely be "it">
I have since pulled out the angel and
the clown is looking better day by day. I thought enough time had
elapsed so I placed the cherub back in the tank and he was okay for a
little while, however I recently acquired a Mystery Wrasse.
<A really
neat fish... do make sure your tank is covered... the genus are
notorious jumpers>
I was warned the Mystery would be a bully, however
it was quite the opposite and the Cherub chased the Mystery endlessly
along with the clown. Needless to say the Angel is in QT and most likely
going to be sold :(.
As far as my numbers go, you are saying my
nitrates are high?
<Is a good idea to keep under 20 ppm... actually,
the lower the better...
Not necessarily toxic by itself, NO3 can be
indicative of other metabolite accumulation, a loss of RedOx, low DO...>
I do run carbon and a poly filter, however I have heard that these are
Nitrate factories?
<Mmm, can contribute if exposed to a good deal of
waste over time>
I also was feeding heavily due to the white stripe.
I thought if I feed heavily it would keep up immunity. I have since then
pulled the carbon and the poly filter due to my readings that they were
Nitrate factories. I have done another water change and I was going to
retest the water tonight. As for the Mag, I don't test for Mag? Should I
be testing for Mag?
<Mmm, not really... if you don't keep
biomineralizing life... and don't supplement for such... Better for most
Fish Only and FOWLR systems to rely on water changes to keep all about
right/balanced. Please read here re:
http://wetwebmedia.com/marine/maintenance/maintindex.htm
scroll
down...>
The KH was wrong, apparently I didn't divide by the number I
should of and I had a friend help me. He said my KH was actually 10.
<Ahh, a danger in not stating units of measure... I taught H.S. level
chemistry and physics...>
Please let me know what if any stats I need
to lower.
Thank you,
Alyssa
<Please peruse the above reference
area. BobF>
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>
|
|
