suitsnakes
New member
I'm hoping someone can help me figure out what's wrong with my true perc clownfish, Nemo (original, I know). I've had her for 7 years, and suspect she's around 8 years old now. She survived multiple mini-tragedies that happened to the fish tank as I got through the saltwater learning curve, so she's definitely a really tough fish.
Last Wednesday (10 days ago) I noticed that Nemo was swimming a bit oddly. We did a water change that day and hoped it wasn't a big deal, as it seemed only a little strange. But over the next few days, she started acting weirder, and would hang out very still in places that she could get herself "stuck" and not float away. She'd stay in the same place without moving for hours and hours.
Then she seemed to get even worse, now she's been facing her nose straight to the ground for a couple of days, so she's in a totally vertical position. She still finds places that she can stay without moving for long periods of time. She just barely flaps her fins every now and then, like maybe she feels weak. She can't seem to swim well; I'm pretty sure she can't really aim her direction anymore and she's reluctant to explore or move around the tank.
She still has a hearty appetite, although she can't swim and get to the food anymore. I just make a point of making sure a ton of food goes her way and she usually manages to get a piece.
There have been no deaths in the tank in over a year, and the water parameters are all stable. The three other fish are all acting totally fine and normal. Assuming the water is fine (we check often, and continue to do water changes 2-3x a week), what else could be wrong with Nemo? Is this normal behavior for death by old age? It's been going on for 10 days, so is Nemo just putting up one last fight, or is there something I can do to fix this?
Hoping someone can help
Last Wednesday (10 days ago) I noticed that Nemo was swimming a bit oddly. We did a water change that day and hoped it wasn't a big deal, as it seemed only a little strange. But over the next few days, she started acting weirder, and would hang out very still in places that she could get herself "stuck" and not float away. She'd stay in the same place without moving for hours and hours.
Then she seemed to get even worse, now she's been facing her nose straight to the ground for a couple of days, so she's in a totally vertical position. She still finds places that she can stay without moving for long periods of time. She just barely flaps her fins every now and then, like maybe she feels weak. She can't seem to swim well; I'm pretty sure she can't really aim her direction anymore and she's reluctant to explore or move around the tank.
She still has a hearty appetite, although she can't swim and get to the food anymore. I just make a point of making sure a ton of food goes her way and she usually manages to get a piece.
There have been no deaths in the tank in over a year, and the water parameters are all stable. The three other fish are all acting totally fine and normal. Assuming the water is fine (we check often, and continue to do water changes 2-3x a week), what else could be wrong with Nemo? Is this normal behavior for death by old age? It's been going on for 10 days, so is Nemo just putting up one last fight, or is there something I can do to fix this?
Hoping someone can help
