Sick Clown
Hello, I have a clownfish that may have some kind of disease or something I'm not sure. but the symptoms that it has are it sometimes will float up on the surface of the water but it will still be breathing but it will swim away like its fine if you put your hand near it. Also, it only comes out when I feed it (and it eats normally), other than that it is behind my live rock or floating at the surface. so is there anything wrong ??<Hello Amanda.  Yes, obviously something is wrong, this isn't normal behavior.  The tank may be starving for oxygen.  Do you use a wet/dry filter or something that will oxygenate the water?.  Do you change 10% of your water on a weekly basis?  Are there any spots or markings on the fish?  I will wait till you respond and we can get into a little more detail.  Thanks, James (Salty Dog)>

Re: Sick Clown
fish still acts this way but I only do water changes every 2 weeks should I do them weekly??.<If you change 20% every two weeks, it will be fine.>also my other fish (a firefish behaves normally and never "floats" at the surface like the clown fish and I have not been able to see any markings or growths of any kind on it. but I'm not sure what type of filter I have, I know that it has carbon filters and it sits at the top edge of the water. (so its not inside the tank). but if you suggest something to help oxygenate my tank what would you suggest? thank you for helping <Amanda, it sounds like you have a hang on the tank power filter.  This will help put air into the water and release CO2 from the system. But these filter pads should really be changed weekly.  Continue your water changing and follow my other advice and keep an eye on your clown.  I think you will be fine.  James (Salty Dog)>

Mystery skin issue on Maroon Clown...
Hi Bob,
     Thank you SOOOO MUCH for the vast array of knowledge you have made so readily available to us mini-reef geeks in training!!!
I've benefited greatly from this site.
<Ah, good. Our intent>
So here's my situation; I've had my maroon clown (captive bred, supposedly) for about 3 months now, about a month and a half ago I discovered a small white patch at the base of it's tail fin on it's body.  There are some small bumps on it's skin as well.  The tissue seems to be stable in that area, and has not affected any other part of it's body, the worst part (in appearance) is shaped like a line running vertically from top to bottom, but it does not seem to be a lesion, rather a scar (!?)  The fish swims, breathes and eats just fine... I have freshwater dipped it twice (about three weeks ago), after the second dip it's fins frayed (sp?) pretty badly.. At this same time, my newly introduced Eibli Angelfish was also picking on the maroon (just for that day!?).  The maroon found a good escape route through the liverock, and the two now get along fine, the maroon's fins have healed, but this patch of white w/ small bumps is still there on the maroon's skin!? No better, no worse, after a month!?! What could it be?
<Likely simply a healing scar as you speculate>
None of the other fish (a "brown" tang, bi-color blenny, and an Eibli Angelfish) have shown any signs of infection at all.  Any insight would be greatly appreciated.
THANKS!
Mariah
<If there is room, no objection, I would add a cleaner organism... a Lysmata shrimp, Gobiosoma Goby... this will help in cleaning the wound as well as lowering stress. Bob Fenner>

Re: Mystery skin issue on Maroon Clown...
THANK YOU for the never-ending wisdom (-wink).  I do have a cleaner shrimp, does he count!? ~Mariah
<Heee! Yes, does count. BobF>

Disease Symptoms, or Nothing To Worry About? Good morning, crew! <Hi there! Scott F. here today!> I sent this in on Wednesday and never heard anything back.  So I thought I'd try again... <Yikes...sorry to hear that. Every once in a while, a query slips through the cracks, as they say...> In the last couple days, our two clownfish have developed some brown spots on them (see attached photos).  The spots do not appear raised, but more of a discoloration.  They appear on the body & on the side fins (don't know proper name for fins, sorry).  There have been no new fish introductions in a long time.  I've had both clowns for over 2 years in perfect health. Actually, one clown is over 4 yrs, and the other one was introduced when quite small about 2 yrs ago.  The only change I can think of to my tank is the addition of a couple zoanthid frags about 10 days ago.  Can you help me identify the spots, their cause & point me towards any needed recovery? (Photo named clown.jpg is best close-up pic, if it helps.)  I do have a quarantine tank if needed, but am hoping that the issue is not that serious. :-) Thanks in advance for your help, John <Well, John, I'm not 100% certain from the pics, but I think that you may be looking at something as simple and non-problematic as minor pigment variations. On the other hand, I'd recommend that you continue observing the fish carefully, to ascertain whether or not the fish are eating regularly, acting normally, etc. In the absence of verifiable disease symptoms, it may not be worth worrying about too much. Do ask yourself if you see any major behavioral changes or the emergence of any nasty symptoms. I you don't, just keep observing them and take action only if needed. Hang in there! Regards, Scott F.>

Clarki (fungus?)
Thanks for your great service!
The basics
55 gallon
40 lbs LR
Yellow tang
2 Damsels
2 Clarkii
Goby
Feather Duster
Bubble Tip
2 Cleaner Shrimp
1 Peppermint shrimp
2 Crabs and a variety of small hermits and snails
KH 11.5
pH 8.2
NH4 0
Nitrates 5 ppm
PO4 0.5 ppm
Salinity 1.023
Sterilizer
4X65W PC
Using RO/DI
Issue: It seems that the Large Clarkii's mouth is swollen and he seems more lethargic. We are concerned because a couple months ago we lost a Kole Tang to at the time we thought was Ich but basically he had a white fuzzy material around his mouth and at the onset had white spots on his sides. The Fish store "expert" advised no treatment until we were sure we had a problem with more noticeable symptoms.
The Clarkii lives in the Bubble Tip and basically rules the roost including the cleaner shrimp. I have been reading your web site daily to try to learn and am aware of the importance of water quality so have been working my nitrates and PO4 down from really high levels a month ago. But its still not perfect. Since I have been doing this, and with new lighting, the BTA has really perked up and that's when the large Clarkii got friendly. Previously only the small one mingled. We have also recently added the Goby. We know the importance of quarantining but the store is very small and the owner and only operator said he had it
for more than 3 weeks and assured us we were OK. Usually you have to prove to this guy your going to do thing right before he sells. Its like his hobby. So. Do you think we have an issue with the large Clarkii and should we treat.
<Dale, I believe the LFS gave you good advice.  Don't treat unless you can identify the problem. You know, you don't take cough syrup for a sore finger. I also think your fish load will be a little high in short time as both the tang and the clarkii's grow quite large. I suggest changing 10% of the water weekly for the overall health of the tank and to replenish lost trace elements along with reducing phosphates/nitrates by dilution.  James (Salty Dog)>
Thanks
Dale
 

Clownfish (environmental) disease question I have had my clown fish for about 5 years.  I am not sure what type of clown fish he is - see attachment. <Premnas biaculeatus, a Maroon> This week he has developed a white spot under his eye and possibly discoloration on his top fin. <Yes, I see these. Good photo> You will also note that I am getting some burgundy slime/algae growing on the rocks. <Yes, a type of Blue Green Algae, aka Cyanobacteria> I have wrapped my 12 gallon saltwater tank in a towel to kill the slime/algae and have done syphoning and water changes.  The slime goes away for a couple of days and comes right back.  This may or may not have something to do with my fish. <Likely has to some good degree. What is important to understand, work against, is the root causes of the favoring of conditions that are allowing the profusion of BGA here> I have a snail, a sea urchin, and some multiple legged creatures that live in the rocks (starfish with long stripped legs??).  Can you shed any light on my problem?   Thank you in advance. <Yes... your Clowns principal, basal health issue VERY likely stems from poor water quality... your system has "aged" in ways that favor the Cyano... you would do well to change out, add some new live rock, possibly a good part of the substrate, make some large (25%) successive daily water changes... Please read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/bluegralgae.htm and here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marenvdi.htm and the Related Articles and FAQs (linked, in blue at the tops of these links) where you lead yourself. Bob Fenner>

Clownfish Injury or Disease?
I have a new clownfish (A. percula) that has a short, say 1/8" red, vertical mark at the junction of its white stripe and orange body. It appears red enough to be an injury, yet it almost appears to be just under the surface. I say this because of the white stripe doesn't look damaged. It may be a few days old. I can't find anything that references a disease with this symptom. It is eating and acting ok.
<I wouldn't panic (just yet)... perhaps a natural color change, anomaly... maybe the result of a physical injury, but not much to do re other than good husbandry. Bob Fenner>

Re: Clownfish Injury or Disease?
Thanks for the input....Unfortunately the mark is getting larger. It almost looks like there is some sort or rot or disintegration happening.
Definitely red though.
<Please read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/clndisfaqs.htm
and the other Related FAQs (linked, in blue, above). Bob Fenner>

Clownfish Injury or Disease?
What can be used in a reef tank for a bacterial infection? I have a star polyp, live rock, red bulb anemone, crabs.
<Please read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/infectio.htm
and on to the Related FAQs (linked, in blue, at top). Bob Fenner>

Very Sick Clown
I have read every thread on your site (at least it seems that way) that deals with the same symptoms my female true perc. clown (from a mated pair) is having but I haven't found one that matches exactly so I thought I would write.
My clown has been in quarantine for a week.  The clown has NOT eaten during this time (at least that I can see) and has heavy breathing with stringy cotton like feces that is literally 6+ inches in length. FREQUENTLY.
<Not good>
She is slowing down fast.  I started by giving her fresh water baths along with treating the quarantine with Metronidazole as directed.  Yesterday, I started treating with PraziPro as well.  No improvement.  The male is fine.  Water levels very good.  Any help would be greatly appreciated!
<I take these are wild-collected fish... and yes, likely heavily parasitized>
Hope to hear from you soon, the site is AWESOME!
Frank
<Not much more to be done than what you're doing IMO>
PS - If she passes on, how exactly do I go about introducing a new clown in with the male she will leave behind?
<Days. Bob Fenner>

Bloated gashed clown
Hello
<Hi there>
I have had a maroon clown in My 200 gal FOWLR for 4 months now. I noticed early last week a gash in his side. he has eaten well since and other then the blemish he seems fine.
<Likely a bump in the night...>
yesterday he seemed a little bloated but it isn't unusual to see him that way after feeding. he seems to take in air during surface feeding and kinda "floats" but then seems fine.
<They are called "clowns"...>
Today I noticed a similar gash on the other side and he seems more bloated. he is still eating.
<Maybe not a bump, but a crustacean would-be predator...>
I thought it my be a mantis shrimp. I got some new rock a couple weeks ago but I have never heard any clicking whatsoever. The gash almost looks like it could be from the inside out. I'm not sure what to do. any ideas?
<I would isolate this fish (in another tank or in a floating plastic colander) and try baiting out whatever might be hidden in your rock. Please read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/inverts/arthropoda/stomatopods/mantisshrimp.htm
and the Related FAQs (linked, in blue, at top). Bob Fenner>

Re: bloated gashed clown
Is it possible to have a mantis in the Tank with no clicking??
<Yes. Clicking is far more common with Alpheid shrimp/s... Some Mantis can make periodic loud smacking sounds... the "smasher" varieties>
we haven't heard click one also, I have 5 green Chromis, an algae blenny, and 2 tangs with no marks??. I'm gonna keep my eyes peeled and keep watch before I don the scuba gear and capture the clown out of the 200 gallon
<It still may be that the clown's marks are from other cause... even repeated swimming into sharp objects... Bob Fenner>

Sick clownfish
HI
Very informative site!
I introduced two clarkii clowns to my 10 gallon tank one week ago. One is about 2 inches and the other about one 1.25 inches. About two days ago the larger one stopped eating and hides away a lot. Any ideas of what this behaviour could be caused by? << Unfortunately many clowns will ship poorly and don't do well in our tanks.  This sounds like a very common sick clown.  The best advise I can give is to quarantine if you can, and try offering live foods. >> All tank parameters are normal.
Thanks for the help.
Regards Nasi
<<  Blundell  >>

Percula Clowns-sloughing of skin??
Hello Bob... <M. Maddox here...not nearly as good, but hey, I'm still awake!>I've been in saltwater aquaria for about 4yrs now.   I'm running a 45 gal tank with 1sm Yellow tang, two small Percula's, 1sm sweet lips, 2 very small blue hippo tangs. <My jaw just dropped.  You are WAY WAY WAY overstocked in your 40, and ALL of those fish will outgrow it (it isn't even a suitable size for one tang, let alone 3 and a Sweetlips!!> Large protein skimmer, 2 power heads (800) running undergravel, and whisper 60 for debris removal.  I recently purchased 5 perc clowns.. 2 very large, 3 medium.  1 large for the 90 gal at work.. one for the 45 @ home. <*Jaw hits the floor* You DON'T need to be adding more fish to your 45!>
When I went to work today... the large clown in the 90 had this white film...almost like sloughing skin... along with one medium newly added...no others showed the signs.  Removed to treat @ home.  When I arrived @ home... the large perc at home also had this along with the other medium added with it to the 45 gal.  I currently have all 4 in 5 gal QT.. with 60% 45gal tank water and 40% new water.. running Furazone and a bubbler.
1.) What is it they caught <Possibly fungal, more likely bacterial>
2.) If 2nd-ary situation.. what do you think was initial cause <stress>
3.) Will Furazone help with treatment?? <Probably...follow through with the dose (just like any antibiotic) and see if it helps.  If not, there is neomycin, Maracyn...>
Please help... both large Percs are the size I've only see in state aquariums 3-4 ins. <You need to move those tangs into your 90 gallon ASAP.  Find a new home for your Sweetlips.  Continue quarantine\treatment of your clowns, they should pull through ok.  Good luck - M. Maddox>

White Stringy Feces
My Maroon Clown has stopped being sociable. She says flat against the glass and won't eat.
<Not good>
Noticed two visible items. 1, Long white Stringy feces hanging off the anal area. 2, grayish growths on the edge of the fin area. They kind of look like partial toenails attached. My guess was that the feces problem is Capillaria or some form of a intestinal disease.
<Possibly... have you had this fish long?>
As for the gill, I thought perhaps Gill Crustaceans. I have read about several illnesses for these symptoms and several medications. Which Med would be the best to use to cover the whole gambit of possibilities, with out doing several different treatments?
<Actually, a combination of compounds... available as Marine (or actually nowadays both Marine and Freshwater) Clout by Aquarium Products. Bob Fenner>

Percula with dorsal wound
Hi WWM Crew,
<Tom>
First, a huge thanks for putting the WWM site together.  I've been looking thru the site but can't find anything like this situation.  I've had this perc for about 5 weeks now.  It arrived mail order (60deg F bag temp!) with damage to the dorsal and one ventral fin, which quickly turned into what looked like a white fungus.
<Likely bacterial, secondary>
This was cleared up in QT, leaving just the exposed spines for the dorsal and one ventral fin, but the spines and wound appeared clean.  After another week in QT, the exposed ventral fin spines fell off, leaving just one ventral fin.
<Oh... paired? This/these are pelvic fins... the ventral is singular, aka the anal fin>
The dorsal spines remained exposed but apparently clean.  Other than the dorsal fin this fish looks and acts perfect, so I gave it a couple more days in QT (total QT time 3 1/2 weeks) then put the fish into our 110G reef.  Other residents in the tank (all healthy and growing) are a yellow tang and sixline wrasse, along with about 80 inverts (SPS, LPS, mushrooms, 2 scarlet skunk cleaners, 1 emerald crab, 2 stars, derasa clam, red and blue leg hermits, black cucumber, Hawaiian feather dusters, abalone, etc.).  Tested water parameters are all good (Spg 1.024, PH 8.3, dKH 10-11, Amm/Nitrite/Nitrate all zero, Ca 440).  Also test for iodine & phosphates, levels are fine.  Reef has about 120lb live rock.
<Sounds good>
The problem is that the dorsal wound isn't getting better, in fact it's getting more "raw".  The attached picture is grainy but you can see the exposed spines and even a little red where the wound is raw.  There is no fungus, the wound appears clean.  I haven't seen it, but could the perc be going to the wrasse or shrimp and getting the wound cleaned picked, making it worse?  Other than put it back in solitary QT, is there anything else I can do for this fish?
Thanks,
Tom
<Not likely much more than you have done... perhaps vitamin supplementation to foods... if the fin/s are so badly eroded/missing, they often won't regenerate. Hopefully your Clown can/will lead some quality of life sans its dorsal, reduced pelvic fins. Bob Fenner>

Clownfish with mouth problem
Thanks Mac L for responding to my last email. <Hi Roxanne! MacL here with you again.> We tried putting her in the QT with "Nemo2" but they fought so hard I had to separate them. <Eeek that is a problem. Probably not ready to accept a new mate and being that it was a tiny container. I did consider that but really felt she needed to be in QT> She is in QT by herself (with anemone) but still hasn't eaten. <I'm glad to hear you were able to get her in another QT.> Her breathing is becoming more rapid and she seems quite lethargic. <NOT GOOD> I couldn't notice any other physical prob.s until yesterday when I noticed her lips/mouth seem to be a bit swollen. I'm treating with triple sulfa but not sure if that will help at all. <I'd like to suggest that you take a look at this article on WWM http://www.wetwebmedia.com/brooklynellosisart.htm.  Also there are multiple attached faq's about clownfish diseases with pictures. Do you see anything like what she has? I'm just not sure a sulfa drug is going to do the trick here.>
Also, another quick question. I've noticed tiny swimming bug type things in my tank lately. They are tiny white things. I caught one and it seems to have heaps legs?  <Swimming? hmmmm. That might not be soo good. There are good bugs and there are bad ones. Copepods, amphipods, isopods. Is there anyway to get a picture of it or perhaps to look through the WWM FAQs and see if you see anything similar? Usually Mysis look like tiny shrimp babies.> There actually may be more than one type of intruder as the other things seem different (smaller, less legs...). I assume it may be these copepods or mystic shrimp? I've heard you all mention. When I told my LFS she told me that its not good to have them in my tank. I was under the
impression though that it was a good sign???? <Mysis are a good sign as are most copepods.>
Ill let you know how "Marlin" goes over the next few days. Any ideas on the mouth thing would be great. I don't now how she could have hurt it or if its some kind of infection or disease or?????????? <It could be infection after the fighting but my guess is that its all related to whatever she and her mate had.> Also any ideas on how to treat it. We haven't had any problems with any other fish apart from these two clowns.<Sounds like you have a great home for your fish Roxanne, don't let this discourage you. Let me know if you can identify anything in the faq's and we'll go from there.> Thanks heaps Roxanne

New black perculas
Hey someone who knows a lot more than I do, <That would hopefully be me>
      Yesterday,  I bought a pair of juvenile black perculas <Probably a dark color morph of Amphiprion ocellaris> from my usually
very trustworthy LFS.  I acclimated them for a half hour as usual and put them in my tank.  My tank is a standard 12 gallon Eclipse with 10 lbs live sand,
15 lbs of live rock. <Wow, you're pushing the limits with a pair of clownfish in a tank that small>  With 4 different types of mushrooms some GSP, button
polyps and unfortunately some Aiptasia.  Side question: Any other corals I can have with this much light? <How much light do you have?>  I have had the tank running for about 3 months now and the only livestock I have had in the tank are 2 peppermint shrimp that haven't seemed to touch the Aiptasia an emerald crab that walks  over all my mushrooms a sand sifting star a small green serpent star, and  the usual hermits and snails.  No carbon in the filter, just a sponge, my Ammonia, Nitrites, and Nitrates have been zilch for some time now. <That's good>  So, I put the clowns in and they were fine, they ate some brine 3 hours after I put them in there, what should I mix in with their diet?  This morning I woke up and turned the light on and one of the clowns had two white spots and the other had three, it looks like ich to me.  First I was wondering where it could have come and just what's going on?  Well, it is about two hours later now and the spots are gone, I just went to an eye appointment and when I came back there were no more spots.  I was wondering what happened to them and also if they were going to come back.  Do I needed a true cleaner shrimp or a cleaner goby, or is this a one time thing? <Not usually any such thing with Crypto.  You'll need a quarantine tank to treat them in. Please read our archives regarding crypto treatment>  After reading the FAQs I am presuming that this is not a one time thing, although I have never read about a case like this. <Sounds like a typical crypt infestation to me>  Anyways I am just wondering what advise you could give me.
Thanks for reading, and for all the help you have already given me through reading your other FAQs. <Set up a quarantine tank because you won't be able to treat the infection in a display tank with invertebrates.  Treat them for at least 4 weeks, as your display tank is going to need to be fish free for that long to kill the parasites currently in the cyst stage.  Also, please use correct spelling and capitalization when emailing us, as these questions are archived>
                                   Cheers,
                                        Mike <M. Maddox>

Ozzy The Clown Is In Trouble! (Possible Brooklynella Infection)
Hello Crew,
<Hi there. Scott F. with you again>
Ozzy was doing very poorly last night, I really did not think he would make it, even more so after I took drastic measures. I gave him a fresh water dip  I had read up on Brooklynella and he seemed to have all the signs of the disease. The dip made him worse at first and after putting him back in his tank I did not think he would make it through the night.
<Freshwater dips, although useful in many cases-are a rather stressful experience for fish. After all, you're basically subjecting the fish to a deliberate osmotic shock, in the hope that the fish can withstand the shock better than the parasites can.>
To make the situation worse, his wife Sharon kept grabbing him by his tail and pulling him into their hair algae patch, this continued, so I segregated him in a mesh tank that hangs in the tank. Well I'm happy to say he survived the night. I will release him for a while and see how he does , he is still not doing that great not  My question to you is this I heard about using
formaldehyde in a fresh water dip, if he does not improve I would like to try this.
<I question the effectiveness of a dip in many instances, but when using formalin, a dip is the way to go, IMO. This is powerful stuff.>
My vet gave me a small vial with 10% formaldehyde. Can you please
advise me as to how much I should use, I will use 1 gallon of freshwater and adjust heat and pH. I would appreciate your response as quickly as possible. Thank you very much
Jackie
<Well, Jackie, if I were using Formalin, or a formalin-based remedy- I'd use 1 drop per gallon. Do observe the fish VERY carefully for signs of distress and remove if things look bad after a few minutes. If you can pull off a 5-10 minute dip without damaging the fish further, I'd call it a day. Then, simply provide the fish with the best possible conditions back in his observation tank. Good luck! Regards, Scott F.>

Problem At The Osborne House! (Clownfish Trouble)
Hi, I'm hoping you can help me with one of my clownfish, his name is Ozzy, I ve had him for about 4 yrs. Yes his wife's name is Sharon, they are the Osborne's.
<Well, #&$%@ That's a really %&%*&%%* creative idea! LOL>
Anyways, I have a 33 gallon, mini reef, all the water parameters
are in check. I do regular water changes, once a week some times  every 2weeks. I have a small hair algae problem, but that is Ozzy and Sharon's home.
<Easier to care for than an anemone! LOL>
Last week I noticed a small white pimple on Ozzy's nostril and a few red streaks around it. Ozzy also appeared listless and not interested in his food.
<Never a good sign>
Sharon is fine and shows no symptoms, none of my other fish seem affected.
<Good to hear>
I used Melafix for 1 week and the white pimple went away, but Ozzy is still not himself sometimes laying sideways in the hair algae and not eating, his mouth seems a little agape and so do his gills. I stopped the Melafix and did a 30 % water change.  I have a few corals, a Mandarin, Coral Beauty, red starfish, Tuxedo Urchin, 1 Coral Banded Shrimp, 2 Cleaner Shrimp, and a "clean up crew". I have a bout 50lbs of live rock, 2 powerheads, and run a Bak Pak 2 protein skimmer. Please advise me as to the problem and how to treat him. I don't want to lose him, as I have had this couple since they were babies. Thank you. Jackie
<I suppose the Melafix may have worked, but it may or may not have been the right remedy to use in this case. The lack of appetite and labored respiration could be a cause for concern. I'd consider removing Ozzie for further observation and possible treatment, if required. Sometimes, conditions like this can go away with little or no intervention on the part of the hobbyist. Do familiarize yourself with the symptoms of Brooklynella and Amyloodinium, both of which are very serious, and which often afflict Clownfishes. Don't rush to dump medication into Ozzie's tank, but be prepared for aggressive, rapid intervention if it becomes necessary. Stay on top of things. let us know if Ozzie's condition changes. Good luck! Regards, Scott F.>

Bicolor blenny not eating
Okay....things are getting back to normal slowly...no ammonia, no nitrates, ph 8.2, nitrates still a little high at 15 (doing 5 percent water changes weekly).
I've got 2 small Percula clowns, a rainfordi goby, cleaner shrimp, pygmy angel (a gorgeous fish!) and a bi-color blenny in my 46 gallon tank (plus a few
snails and hermits and baby starfish)  A couple of issues....although I see waste from the blenny, it does not appear to be eating any food other than sucking at the live rock...I have tried:  formula 2, brine shrimp, flake, dried algae, Cyclop-eeze, and
dried marine algae flake. <Its eating algae and pods from the live rock, which is a good thing.>  It also seems to sift the sand.  I have had it a couple of weeks....a guy at work tells me they eventually eat but it takes a while....what do you think?  Is there something else I should try? <I think that as long as it has stuff from the live rock to eat it will prefer to eat that.>
Also, my clown has had a small white raised spot by it's side swim fin for several weeks...it does not look like ich, it is a little larger.  A guy at the pet store told me clowns get that sometimes and are usually doomed....any thoughts? <It depends on what it is, if its Lymphocystis (Cauliflower looking as it grows) then its not usually fatal> It is eating and acting perfectly normal....doesn't appear stressed at all, so I have been just keeping an eye on it. <Sounds like you are on the right track Lisa, Lymphocystis is usually fixed with good water conditions.  Good luck, MacL>
Regards!
Lisa

Flying Clownfish? (Or- Any Landing That You Can Swim Away From Is A Good One!>
Hello!
<Hi there! Scott F. here today!>
This is the first time we have resorted to email, since your fantastic site usually answers our questions.  Thanks!
<Glad we are helpful to you!>
We have a 40g FOWLR, about 4 months old,  with a Cleaner/Skunk Shrimp, Fire Shrimp, Red Sea Star and a handful of hermit crabs and snails.  Our two fish are a Spotted/Psychedelic Mandarin and a Percula clown.  Both are really healthy - we keep the tank stocked with copepods and feed the Mandarin brine shrimp
fortified with phytoplankton. He eats like a pig (!) about 40 shrimp a day, (he learned to eat the shrimp out of a feeding tube).
<Excellent! Glad to hear how well this fish eats!>
Anyhow, I am writing to ask about my Clownfish. He has been really territorial and has taken to attacking our hands in the tank.
<Not the first time I heard of a Clownfish doing that!>
Twice now, we have moved our hands in time, and as a result of missing his target, Pete has flown out of the tank onto the couch or floor.  We pick him up immediately and put him back in the tank.  He doesn't even seem phased by it and goes back to eating/being aggressive.  From the last time he fell out, we think he hurt his dorsal fin and there is a little white speck about 1mm along the tip of one of his fin bones.  We think one of his dorsal fin bones pushed through the skin during one of his flying episodes, and his bone is protruding through, and is catching
some debris that is floating around the tank, hence the white spot, but we are not sure.  Anyhow, if it is the case, and it can get infected, how can we tell, and what can we do about the infection.
<Well, if it is infected, it will display visible signs, such as swelling, discoloration, or other problems. The best thing that you could do would be to provide clean water conditions, and continued good care. If there is a serious infection, then you could use a broad spectrum antibiotic (in a separate hospital tank, of course). But do try simple good care before resorting to the medications.>
Other than that, Pete is eating fine, swimming fine, acting normally (Aggressive!).
<Good to hear that! Even the "being aggressive" part is good to hear!>
Your help is always appreciated.  Many Thanks!
Mike & Amy
<Sounds like you've got a good handle on things. Just keep a good eye on this fish, and be prepared to take action if it becomes necessary! Good luck! Regards, Scott F.>

Blind Clown (9/15/04)
I have a clown that has been in a 55 gal. tank with a yellow tang, an anemone and some soft corals for about three years now.  The other week the clown’s anemone up and moved over to the other side of the tank next to the Yellow Tang’s caves and the Tang began aggravating the Clown at night. <Something's bothering your anemone if it up and moved after three years. They only move when they don't like it where they are.> I believe this is the cause of the Clown developing pop-eye in his right eye (none of the water levels have changed in the past six months). I moved him to a 10 gal. hospital tank using 5 gal of water from his 55 gal and another 5 from another 55 marine tank I have.  I have done a ¼ water change every day, and dosed with Epsom salt (as directed in another of your question forums for pop-eye) and Ampicillex
as directed by local fish store. I dissolve the medicine in a cup of his water before I introduce it into the tank. <This all sounds reasonable.> Needless to say after 5 days he has definitely gone blind in the eye and developed a white band around the eye (no recognition from him if that’s the only eye he can see you with). <Once the infection/inflammation heals, he should be able to function fine with one eye.> I have no problem leaving him in the tank another week or so, however, my question is, Since he’s gone blind, will the treatments still help the swelling, or will this not heal since he appears to be blind, and should I put him back in his tank where he is obviously happier with his anemone. <The treatment will help they eye heal. It is still possible (though not probable, perhaps) that it will regain a measure of sight ion that eye once it heals. And what are you going to do about the Tang. If it was harassing the clown before, it likely will do so even more when it considers it to be a new addition. This is especially true because your tank is too small for a Yellow Tang (75G minimum) and he may be starting to feel cramped if he has grown normally over the past 3 years.> I thank you for your time, your site has helped me immensely in the past. <I hope this is helpful. Steve Allen.> Thank you <You're welcome.> Casey

Is this an infected clown fish?
Hello,
<Hi there>
One of my three clown fish has developed an infection around the corners of it's mouth. The other two have not developed any symptoms. Initially there was what seemed to be an incision on the side of it's mouth which in the last few weeks has developed into white blemishes.  We have tried adding a solution which was sold to us by our local aquarium for the sole purpose of treating cuts and abrasions. We don't know the name as shop owner made up the solution. However this has had little to no effect. The infected skin looks as if it is peeling off, so we thought the skin could just be healing - yet it hasn't.
<Does sound like a cut/abrasion... and these can take a few weeks to heal>
He is still eating, yet lethargic. Before putting medicine in, his colouring looked faded, but has now brightened. We are unsure of what to do as it has been 14 days of using solution and overall doesn't seem to have helped. At times I thought white blemishes were healing, but more just appear.
Thank you Natasha & Simon
<I would add a purposeful vitamin mix to the fish's foods (like Selcon) and leave off with any "medicine" use here. With time, otherwise good maintenance this fish should recover. Bob Fenner>