Akindynos Clown Behavior

[frydaddy]

Just wondering what people think on this. I got a pair of Akindynos clowns on saturday. The both look healthy as can be. The female was eating and exploring the QT tank within a few hours after the lights came on. She is eating like a pig. The male has shown no interest in eating and doesn't swim around much. He has no visible signs of brook, ich or anything else. When he does move around, it is usually straight up or down the sides and occasionally along the bottom. I've included a photo as he has spent the whole day today in this position. So what do you think might be wrong?

 

[phender]

The beginnings of brook are often not visible. If you haven't done a fresh water and/or formalin dip, it might be a good idea.

He also might be stressed from the female clown picking on him. Chances are they are not actually a pair unless your female is around 4" long. It is very common, especially with akindynos, for the collectors to stick two different sized fish together and ship them as a pair. They form a temporary bond from the stress they are under, but sometimes it is not a very stable bond.

 

[frydaddy]

I haven't done any dips yet. His breathing is regular. But his behavior is disoriented. At first I was thinking he was blind because he will swim straight until he gets to a side or the bottom etc then turn.

Any other clown that I've had that had brook usually showed symptoms within the first day, especially heaving breathing. Its been four days and his breathing is still normal. But I suppose at this point its not going to do any harm to give him a dip tomorrow.

 

[phender]

I didn't say anything because I figured it was a reflection from the flash, but it does look like he has a sort of cataract thing going on in his eye.

 

[frydaddy]

Phender,

Do you think it's permanent? Or is there anything I can do to verify he can't see? Or any antibiotics I can try? Thanks

 

[phender]

I'm afraid we have reached the limits of my knowledge on this one. You might want try the disease forum and see if anyone there has any experiance with this.