clownfish acting strange

[mu_2176]

Hi all,

2 days ago my Eheim Jager heater failed and stopped working. It is currently winter in Sydney, Australia and fortunately it doesn't get too cold out here; however the tank dropped to around 15.5c (59.9F) compared to the normal 24.5c (76F).

I didn't pick up on it until the afternoon when i realized the clowns were barely moving (slowly breathing and tipping over before gaining consciousness), checked the temperature and what do you know, its 15.5 (59.9F) Lucky for me the tank is only a temporary holding tank (40L) and it only houses the pair of percula clowns.

Not knowing what to do i added a spare eheim and set it to 24.5c (76F). Over a period of 2hrs the tank climbed back upto 24c, clowns were moving again but i'm not sure if i have shocked them. I did a water change (20%) with NSW heated to 24c and added 2l of RO to account for evaporation i forgot to top off before (genius you say:lolspin: *note sarcasm)

2 days on, one clown is happy as larry, ecstatic as always whilst the other is considerably acting different. Upon closer look, it looks like the lining of the clowns gill is slightly visible (its red) movement is much slower and it is not overly interested now when i approach the tank. Last night it acted strange swimming to the corner at the bottom of the tank and momentarily stopping, the back of the clown would rise so going nose first down before he would suddenly snap out of it and swim away slowly

I really don't want to lose them, maybe i'm overacting (which i hope) but if someone can help me it'll greatly be appreciated. Currently i do not have any test kits cause i gave them all away (silly me)

Cheers

 

[Newsmyrna80]

Is this a new QT or is it cycled? Red gills can be indicative of ammonia. Unfortunately the symptoms the clown is displaying (lethargy) can be attributed to most diseases/conditions. How is its appetite?

 

[mu_2176]

Hi its basically a holding tank. Its been up and running for around 2-3months) , (originally transferred water and rock from the oldsetup, letting it idle for 2weeks before adding the clowns) Originally i had thought it may be ammonia burn related as i had a massive turbo snail die off but the other clown doesn't seem to affected. Will confirm hopefully this afternoon after work rather then basing my facts off assumptions

In terms of its appetite, the moment it sees me grab food and the moment it hits the tank surface it becomes an absolute pig and chows down every piece (darting to even get the tiniest bit floating into a corner)

3days prior the heater failure both clowns were absolutely healthy chasing anything that looked like food. So i was abit concerned by one of the clowns character after the incident. Would it be wise not to turn on the lights? (there's no corals in the tank, just liverock)