Clownfish Getting Pale

SumDimSum

New member
Hello. I recently got two new percula clownfish for my tank. The only other tank mates are 3 blue leg hermits. The clownfish have only been in the tank since last Wednesday. Starting from Saturday, I started noticing the smaller of the two clownfish started getting a little pale and what looks like some visible slime coat. I don't think it is shedding its slime coat as it does not look runny or anything, but it has been a bit pale under the light. I have done a bit of research and do not think it is brooklynella as the white is not in patches and I would guess the clownfish would have already died by now. I also do not think it is marine ich as there isnt actually any dots on the fish. I have however seen the larger clown show aggression towards this smaller one. Would that cause it to start shedding slime coat and turning pale? Is there anything I should do at this point or am I just getting a bit too anxious? Both are still eating and swimming great.

My parameters are:

Salinity 1.023 - 1.024
pH 8.2
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 0 (tiny bit of pink on the test, but almost 0)

I have tried to snap a picture but I can't really see anything from the ones I have taken. Will try to borrow a different camera and take another pic. Thanks for any input.
 
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I hope the pictures went through. You can't see much from the pictures as the slight white doesn't really show. I thought brooklynella would've killed the fish within the day. Right now it is the fourth day. The guys in the clownfish section are saying it might just be stress from the bigger clown.
 
Clearly brook. Start formalin baths ASAP.

BTW: brook, as well as velvet, can move extremely fast, but it doesn't have to. Also, like with Cryptocaryon, fish can develop various levels of immunity against both, which is the reason why some fish die and others are seemingly (or actually) unaffected.
So a slower progression is no way to rule out brook or velvet.
 
Are there any medicines with formalin as a main ingredient? Also is there a need to treat both clowns? I don't know if brooklynella spreads but the other clown is looking normal.
 
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Are there any medicines with formalin as a main ingredient? Also is there a need to treat both clowns? I don't know if brooklynella spreads but the other clown is looking normal.

Rid-Ich Plus should contain formalin, but in lower dose. Increasing the dosage may be also a problem as its other ingredient is malachite green which may not be good for clownfish at elevated levels.

You should assume that the other one is infected as well and treat both.

It seems to be hard to find in Canada. Does seachem paraguard work as well?

It doesn't contain Formalin so I don't know if it will be effective.
Try to get lab grade formalin 37% at a pharmacy or drug store.

If you can't get it in Canada, you might want to make a trip to the US to stock up on it. Formalin is the one medication you should always have on hand to give every new fish a prophylactic bath.
 
Dosage is 20 drops (= 1 ml) per US gallon. Treatment time: 30 to 50 minutes (shorter if the fish show signs of distress)
The bath container must be well aerated as formalin binds oxygen.
 
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