RokleM
Premium Member
I have a relatively new set of Black Oc's. They're beautiful, very very energetic, and eat anything that hits the water.
For background, I have 315ish total gallons between two tanks, sump, frag tank, etc. Parameters couldn't be any better or more stable, nor do I see any issues with any of the other 19 fish that inhabit the various sytems.
These guys are in with a sixline, two gobies, and 7 Anthias. They get along great with everyone, and never have I seen the slightest bit of aggression towards the new fish. They've been in the tank for about 3 weeks. As a matter of fact, in a very weird sense, I've seen the large male Anthias almost protecting the clowns (weird huh?).
The larger of the two is a little over an inch. The smaller is about 3/4". They clearly aren't breeding yet, but in the last week, I've seen the 3/4" male submitting and doing the "twitch dance".
Alllll of that info as a side note to answer all the questions that will come up. The issue was seen first yesterday. As I stated, they are all very vigorous eaters. As a matter of fact, being in the Anthias tank, they get a couple small meals a day, and participate every time. Yesterday I was feeding for the first time, and I noticed the male was swimming slowly down in one of the locations they're nesting near. He did not react what so ever when the food entered the water. The female reacted immediately. I noticed his breathing was a bit elevated, although he shows no signs of stress what so ever (no physical damage, mouth open, ich, etc). The same occurred again today without him feeding.
Clownfish are goofy, and it's hard to tell due to the good flow in the tank, but it almost looks like he very occasionally looses his center of gravity, and will tip slightly. After just a fraction of an inch of movement, he rights himself again. I know that's hard to describe, but think of yourself kind of getting tired where you just start to blank out, then kind of snap yourself awake quick. It's almost like that. I spent almost an hour watching him today to notice that. It could have been something they've always done, but hard to tell.
I've been fortunate enough to have been attempting to steer them towards their anemone (no, he hasn't got in it or near, so doubt "sting" damage) just after dark with a glass cleaner. I took advantage of that again tonight, got his attention with that, and slowly scooped him up and put him in a 10 gallon QT tank.
Thoughts? I'd hate to loose this little guy, especially as I can't really SEE anything wrong at this point. Before anyone mentions it, their food gets dosed heavy with garlic, selcom (SP?), vitachem, etc almost daily. Nothing further to add there. I don't want to put him back in until I can confirm he's eating heathy again.
It's been very difficult to get pictures (as I said, active buggers), but here was the best shot I've got so far:
For background, I have 315ish total gallons between two tanks, sump, frag tank, etc. Parameters couldn't be any better or more stable, nor do I see any issues with any of the other 19 fish that inhabit the various sytems.
These guys are in with a sixline, two gobies, and 7 Anthias. They get along great with everyone, and never have I seen the slightest bit of aggression towards the new fish. They've been in the tank for about 3 weeks. As a matter of fact, in a very weird sense, I've seen the large male Anthias almost protecting the clowns (weird huh?).
The larger of the two is a little over an inch. The smaller is about 3/4". They clearly aren't breeding yet, but in the last week, I've seen the 3/4" male submitting and doing the "twitch dance".
Alllll of that info as a side note to answer all the questions that will come up. The issue was seen first yesterday. As I stated, they are all very vigorous eaters. As a matter of fact, being in the Anthias tank, they get a couple small meals a day, and participate every time. Yesterday I was feeding for the first time, and I noticed the male was swimming slowly down in one of the locations they're nesting near. He did not react what so ever when the food entered the water. The female reacted immediately. I noticed his breathing was a bit elevated, although he shows no signs of stress what so ever (no physical damage, mouth open, ich, etc). The same occurred again today without him feeding.
Clownfish are goofy, and it's hard to tell due to the good flow in the tank, but it almost looks like he very occasionally looses his center of gravity, and will tip slightly. After just a fraction of an inch of movement, he rights himself again. I know that's hard to describe, but think of yourself kind of getting tired where you just start to blank out, then kind of snap yourself awake quick. It's almost like that. I spent almost an hour watching him today to notice that. It could have been something they've always done, but hard to tell.
I've been fortunate enough to have been attempting to steer them towards their anemone (no, he hasn't got in it or near, so doubt "sting" damage) just after dark with a glass cleaner. I took advantage of that again tonight, got his attention with that, and slowly scooped him up and put him in a 10 gallon QT tank.
Thoughts? I'd hate to loose this little guy, especially as I can't really SEE anything wrong at this point. Before anyone mentions it, their food gets dosed heavy with garlic, selcom (SP?), vitachem, etc almost daily. Nothing further to add there. I don't want to put him back in until I can confirm he's eating heathy again.
It's been very difficult to get pictures (as I said, active buggers), but here was the best shot I've got so far:
I would start a treatment of maracyn 2. 
