yourcatch22
New member
Hey guys,
I got a new ocellaris clownfish for my tank about a week and a half ago. He acclimated fine and even paired with my older, larger female clownfish almost immediately. No signs of aggression and everything seemed fine. The new clown was a little hesitant to eat at first but after about 4 days in the tank he was eating fairly regularly.
This weekend I went out of town and left the fish unattended for 4 days, no feeding. When I returned I noticed the new clown was swimming very erratically, in circles and upside down as if he has no control over his body (video link below). He now generally stays in the corner against the glass, but when he tries to swim out or gets excited he loses all control again. He is unable eat due to his condition, but clearly has an appetite as he attempts to swim towards the food but cannot reach it because he loses his ability to control his direction.
I went to my LFS and showed them the video, they said they have never seen anything like this and think it might be a neurological disorder. I had read some stuff on the net about swim bladder infections, but LFS ruled them out saying that they would have developed it immediately after leaving the ocean.
Has anyone ever seen something like this and can provide me insight on how to help? I hope there is still time to save the little guy before he dies from starvation or stress.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4cR5OXrdEs&feature=youtu.be
25 gallon, tank mates: 1 orchid dottyback, 1 Cherub Angel, 1 other ocellaris clownfish. Water perimeters are all good, last water change was a week and a half ago. No other fish are showing symptoms.
I got a new ocellaris clownfish for my tank about a week and a half ago. He acclimated fine and even paired with my older, larger female clownfish almost immediately. No signs of aggression and everything seemed fine. The new clown was a little hesitant to eat at first but after about 4 days in the tank he was eating fairly regularly.
This weekend I went out of town and left the fish unattended for 4 days, no feeding. When I returned I noticed the new clown was swimming very erratically, in circles and upside down as if he has no control over his body (video link below). He now generally stays in the corner against the glass, but when he tries to swim out or gets excited he loses all control again. He is unable eat due to his condition, but clearly has an appetite as he attempts to swim towards the food but cannot reach it because he loses his ability to control his direction.
I went to my LFS and showed them the video, they said they have never seen anything like this and think it might be a neurological disorder. I had read some stuff on the net about swim bladder infections, but LFS ruled them out saying that they would have developed it immediately after leaving the ocean.
Has anyone ever seen something like this and can provide me insight on how to help? I hope there is still time to save the little guy before he dies from starvation or stress.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4cR5OXrdEs&feature=youtu.be
25 gallon, tank mates: 1 orchid dottyback, 1 Cherub Angel, 1 other ocellaris clownfish. Water perimeters are all good, last water change was a week and a half ago. No other fish are showing symptoms.
