Hi! I have been running an 8 gal nano reef for about 2 months. About a month ago, I introduced a yellow clown goby, and shortly after an ocellaris clown. About a week ago, the goby got ick, and sadly, even with quarantine and medication, I lost the poor goby (RIP Henry). During all this, I have been watching the clown very closely, and as soon as he showed symptoms, I put him in his own quarantine tank with medication for ick as well as a medication to prevent secondary infections (fungus, bacterial). He has now been in the quarantine tank 2 days, and his skin has improved (in the pic it hardly even looks like anything), and he is eating like a little piggy at feeding time. HOWEVER, today, he has suddenly started laying on his side in the one corner of the tank, and I have never seen him do anything like this before. He will lean on his pectoral fin, and slowly slip more and more onto his side and his breathing seems slightly labored. I understand that this can be "normal" clown behavior (if you can call any of their behavior normal) and that he is hosting that corner, but I have never seen him lay on the ground before, and he IS sick, after all. Overall, he seems to be getting better, but this behavior concerns me. Is there any more I should be doing for the little guy? Anything I should be testing for? Any input will help! Thanks!
Clownfish laying on side in quarantine tank
- Thread starter Carly0720
- Start date
Yes, I have an air pump hooked up to an air stone. We are using Mardel QuICK cure (active ingredients Formalin and Malachite Green) and Tetra Fungus Guard. We originally only had the QuICk cure, but our LFS recommended adding the fungus guard to be on the safe side. Just a note, this LFS is reputable in the area with generally very healthy tanks and knowledgeable staff (not a chain store). No, we have not tested ammonia or nitrites because the meds discolor the water, so it'd be tricky. We are doing 20-30% water changes daily, making sure to remove any debris or excess food. Thanks so much!!
mikeyVR4
New member
When I treated my clown it did the same thing for two days and then on the third it snapped out of it. Its common for fish to do this as they are shocked due to the new environment. Just make sure your temperature, salinity, water parameters are all ok. I noticed too if you don't paint your tank the fish seem to get strange due to seeing their own reflection everywhere they look. This is not proven of course but my tang was like that for two days and then once in the new QT tank she snapped out of it.
MrTuskfish
Team RC
Quick Cure is not a dependable med for ich and formalin doesn't mix well with many meds. If you have 3 or more meds in a tank at once; that can only lead to problems. Does the fish have ich, or all these meds just for prevention?
Yes, we are almost positive it was ich based on the clown goby's symptoms and past experience. Also the clown had started to get tiny white spots which were powder like in nature... looking very much like examples of ich we have further researched. Due to the loss of our goby, we started to quarantine and medicate at the first signs of presentation on the clown. He still has a few small white spots primarily on one side, but I would say the condition of his skin has improved since beginning medication and we were feeling very optimistic until he began to exhibit this behavior. He does seem to perk up when given attention... we just now did another 20% water change (second of the day)... and this had him swimming around happily and normally.... he has since returned to his corner however and is exhibiting the same behavior. Thank you all for your help and timely responses.... they are very appreciated.
Masterofnonsense
New member
I don't see anything for the fish to hide in, you might try putting a PVC fitting or something similar in the tank to help the fish feel secure.
MrTuskfish
Team RC
It is common for ich to come and go for a while. If this is ich; its still in your tank and will return. Here's some vital reading. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1992196
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