Clownfish with seperation anxiety

[pc2918]

I think my clownfish might have separation issues. I put in a BTA in my 55gal reef setup. once my Maroon Clown found all she did was smother and rub all over it. the only time she would separate from touching the nem was to eat and feed the nem. The rest of the time it seems like the clown must stay in physical contact with the nem. Its always rubbing all over it too not just sitting near it. Point of the story is the nem looked great for the first week, but now it looks bad. I mean bad bad. I moved the nem to a quarantine tank with hopes for the best. Could the clown be the reason for the anemone's untimely doom or is it something else.

4 month old 55gal reef tank
45lbs of live rock
dual bulb t5 fixtures with half white and actinic
Temp 78F
SG 1.024
pH 8.3
Mag 1600
Kh 12
Ca 400
Amonia 0
Nitrates 0
Nitrites 0

Pictures to follow soon
TIA

 

[pc2918]

First week

Now in quarantine

Pre quarantine

 

[Good_GReef]

I can't view those pics from my kindle but i usually try to pair nems and clowns according to size. The nem would need to be like three to four times the clowns size before i would introduce them. Is the nem still willing to attach to anything? Is the mouth gaping open? They are incredibly good at recovering from most anything, even powerhead manglings. After any damage or trauma, they will generally want to hide out somewhere with a little less light while they recuperate and peek out when they are healing.

 

[pc2918]

The foot looks good. Mouth is gaping and its attempting to stick to the side wall of my quarantine tank

 

[pc2918]

The quarantine tank has nothing in it except the nem. Just the glass walls and floors

 

[Good_GReef]

Sticking to anything is a good sign. So he was relatively new to the display tank? I would give it some time as long as he has good flow and light (away from powerheads and overly affectionate fish lol). You would be amazed what they can come back from. Does he get enough light in the quarantine tank? I hope he recovers for you. Nems are my favorite reef residents.

 

[pc2918]

The lights in my quarantine are soon to be upgraded but its running coral sun t8s and yes the nem was probably just shy of 2wks in my display

 

[pc2918]

Thank you so much for the help

 

[Good_GReef]

You are very welcome. Keep us updated on his condition. It's best not to disturb it too much if it's in a good flow/light spot as long as it doesn't look worse and worse. They can be stressed to death. Made that mistake myself thinking i needed to keep moving a nem that wanted to hide. You are on the right track quarantining it.