Clowns not eating

[downdeep]

I have a pair of black and white occelaris that have recently stopped eating. It's been about two days now since I've seen them consume any food. All other fish in the tank are eating good with no issues. They've become lethargic with stringy white poop. I've seen one of the pair scratching on the rocks as well. They show interest in food, but don't actually consume any of it. I'm thinking there is some kind of internal parasite, but I'm confused about what medication I can use to treat them.

The only thing different that I have noticed with these clowns is that on three different occasions in the last week, I have found parasitic isopods attached to them at night. I've netted them, plucked off the parasites with tweezers and then executed them, then returned the clowns to the tank. I haven't noticed any kind of sores or damage from the isopods on the fish at all. Could the isopods be the cause of what is happening with the clowns?

 

[downdeep]

1. How old is this aquarium? Three Months

2. If less than six months old, what is ammonia level? 0 ammonia

3. What is SG of this aquarium? How measured? 1.025 measured with an instant ocean hydrometer

4. When was the last fish added to this aquarium? one month ago

5. Was it quarantined? If so, how? And how long? Was it prophylactically treated? How? These were the first fish into the tank and were not quarantined

6. If you are using a copper based medication, which one? How often do you measure level? When? No copper based medications at this time.

7. If you are using hyposalinity, how did you calibrate your refractometer? No hyposalinity

8. Please describe in detail, the appearance of the fish? If there is one or more pimples, are they lumpy? What color? Fish look fine, no discoloration, lumps, pimples or bumps

9. Please describe the behavior of the fish as best you can. Is it acting reclusive? Is it always up towards the top of the aquarium? Is it avoiding light? How active is the fish? Fish is acting reclusive and lethargic. Both clowns are staying in the top corner of the tank. Have seen the male clown scratching on the rocks.

10. Is the fish eating? What? The fish were eating a mix of New Era flakes, frozen cyclops, frozen mysis. They've stopped eating the last few days and poop has been white and stringy.

Hope some of that helps.

 

[Deinonych]

White stringy stools are a sign of internal parasites. Prazipro would be the appropriate treatment.

 

[Newsmyrna80]

The fish you added a month ago did you quarantine it? Were the clowns the first in the tank? Have you tried a freshwater dip on the clowns to see if they have flukes? Could be the scratching is the flesh healing from where the isopods were attached. The stringy poop indicates an internal parasite.

 

[downdeep]

The clowns were the first into the tank and were not quarantined. I know I know...
I have not tried a freshwater dip on them.
I never saw any kind of injury from where the isopods were attached.

None of the LFS have prazipro in stock, I'd have to order it online and it would take a couple of days to arrive. LFS here does have http://www.drgsmarineaquaculture.com/anti-parasitic-caviar.cfm I'm just worried that if they aren't eating regular food, they probably won't eat this either.

 

[Deinonych]

Fish can go weeks without food, so as long as their respiration is not elevated and they are otherwise acting normal, you should be OK until the meds arrive. Really surprised no one has Prazipro in stock locally as it's a very common med.

 

[downdeep]

Everyone is out of it at the moment. I've checked f different LFS's in the area, soonest any can have it in is Thursday. Anyone have any experience with Dr. G's medicated foods?