Clown bloated and struggling to stay down

[perpetual98]

Hi everyone. I've had a clown in my 120G tank for a couple years. Just today I notice that he's struggling to stay swimming "level" for lack of a better term. I got a closer look and he looks really bloated almost like he's got a big air bubble in his belly that is causing him to want to float to the surface. None of the other fish seem to be having problems.

Something he ate? I haven't fed anything different. Constipation perhaps? An air bubble?

Thanks!

 

[bchristie]

I've seen something similar to what you describe a few times in clowns (and damsels) due to severe infections of the swimbladder, you may want to try an antibiotic feed and see if his condition improves.

 

[TerryB]

It is not uncommon for clowns to have this problem when they are fed a lot of flake or freeze dried foods. Try changing the diet to frozen and/or live foods. How old are your flake and freeze dried foods. Do you store ALL foods in the freezer? Old foods lose nutritional value and begin to harbor bacteria including flake and freeze dried.

TerryB

 

[perpetual98]

That could be the problem. I feed mainly flak, with frozen once or twice a week. I can try switching that up. Thanks everyone!