Clown Rapid Breathing

[thetim6]

I have two pink skunk clowns in a 29 gallon. The tank is about 4 months old, the clowns were added approximately 3 weeks ago.

One of the clown fish has been breathing much more rapidly than the other one. Up to, or more than 160 breaths counted in one minute. It has been the same way since I bought it. I haven't counted the breaths/minute of the other clown but it's easily 1/3 the rate of the clown that is breathing heavily.

I also have one yellow clown goby in the tank, and he seems to be breathing at a 'normal' rate. There are 6 scarlet hermit crabs and 4 astrea snails as well, all of which are fine. So it doesn't appear to be water related.

I did see something like a worm sticking out of the fishes gill a week ago, but it has since disappeared. I'm guessing this is where the problem could lie. I'm going to do some research, but if anyone has advice I'd love to hear it.

The fish is otherwise healthy, he is active and eating regularly. I just did a water change last night of about 7 gallons.

 

[Patrick12]

I'd pull him and do a pH, temp matched freshwater dip for 30 minutes.

 

[hottuna]

i second patrick 12's advice

 

[thetim6]

Thanks I'm going to try it tomorrow.

Will he really be alright for 30 minutes in freshwater? I've never done a dip before but I do have buffer so I can match the pH.


Edit: Hey patrick I saw you were in VA beach, that's pretty cool dude! I got these fish from animal jungle. I found a really nice shop yesterday too called Fish Safari off lynhaven.

 

[bencozzy]

30 minutes tops or soon if its showing signs of stress(i.e. swimming erratic, trying to jump out)

you could also try a formalin bath.

i just lost a huge clarki clown to this.

 

[thetim6]

Ok, I freshwater dipped the clown for 30 minutes.

He looks fine but was still breathing rapidly upon placement back into the tank.

Should I repeat the FW dip tomorrow if he is still breathing hard?

Is this a common disease/problem with clowns?

Thanks for the help so far everyone.

 

[thetim6]

I thought I would update with a little info I've gathered after doing a bit of research. The only disease I can come up with is gill flukes. I hope it isn't gill flukes, or that I caught it before it laid eggs...

I'm going to pick up a bottle of formalin tomorrow and do dips with that. Should I do a fw formalin dip, or saltwater?


The fish seems really healthy so hopefully I caught it early enough to save him.

 

[wicked_NaCl_h2o]

Are you sure there is some thing wrong with your pink skunk? My pink skunk breathes fast every time I get near the tank and shows that she is irritated by my presence. Then if I sit there for a little while her breathing returns to normal. You should only worry if your clown isn't eating anything. Since yours is eating and swimming normally ..then it should be fine.

 

[thetim6]

Well I have two clowns from the same tank. While they both appear healthy and eating, the one is breathing in short, very rapid breaths. The other clown fish displays what I would consider a normal rate of respiration.

The afflicted clown doesn't seem as laid back as the other guy, but he responds to stimulus and took the FW dip yesterday like a champ.

I hope it's nothing, but honestly I think it has to be something. If anything, I hope it's ich and not gill flukes though! From what I have read about gill flukes I would have to treat the whole tank.