Emergency question

Spiffyguy

Spiffyguy

New member
Just got 2 clownfish from a local breeder. Drip aclimated them for a little over and hour. Gently got them into the QT tank and let them set in. One is larger than the other. The smaller one seemed to be breathing fast after the ride home. They both were sitting in the corner for about 20-30 minutes while I thawed some mysis hoping they would eat. So I killed the pumps and pump some in. They looked at it but didn't go after it. No biggie I figured I would try.

But now they are both riding the top. The smaller one is simming on his side and occasionally going over the water line. I think the larger is ok but just following its buddy. I put an airstone in there thinking maybe for some reason there is not enough O2. It is a 3 inch coralife stone so it makes alot of bubbles. I am running a HOB filter, Hagen AC50. Give me some options on what I need to do for this little guy I am FREAKING out.

Thanks
 
0 across the board, just tested. SG is 1.025, PH is 8.1. The lights just went out and they both flipped out. Swimming all areound the tank, kinda leaping. Then the dropped fromthe top to the middle and both swam around like normal for about 5 minutes. Then back to the top. Little Guy is swimming on his side, sometimes flipping over to his back and it looks like he is lifting his head above the water. The Big Guy just seems to be swimming.

They eventually rested on cord for my thermometer probe, Then Little Guy would go out then come flying ack into Big Guy. Now they are both huddled in the corner rubbing up against eachother. But they both seem to be right side up.

I have the airstone in one corner up at the top of the water. It is making bubbles but they are not spreading all over the tank. I have a MJ 600 with a hydor on it as the powerhead along with the AC50. The MJ is off right now. Worried it was too much for them.
 
Clown fish do have some strange behavor. If you just put them in the QT tank, was the water fresh or from your main tank?
Put the MJ back on. Do have a places for them to hide like a PVC fitting?
 
When I do water changes I move a lttle water from my display into that tank. There is a large 3 inch T in there for them to hide out in. They haven't found it yet. You think I am just freaking out over nothing? They do seem to be rubbing against each other quite a bit so maybe a dominate thing? not sure.

Also Should I leave the airstone over night or pull it?
 
Well the airstone can't hurt but I really see no need for it. They may not eat for a day or two so if you feell the water is good I would not worry.
 
I have no problem leaving the stone in there. My only concern would be over saturation or too many micor bubbles that would irritate the fish, causing more stress. From what I can tell the water looks good. Temp, SG, PH ect all seem to be good. The QT tank has been up for like 3 or 4 weeks and gets regular water changes weekly.

Some weird behavoior that is going on right now. They are in the corver next to the heater. Big Guy is straight up and down, head near the surface, and Little Guy is the same but sinking to where its head is about next to Big Guy's tail then swimming straight up; rubbing Big Guy the whole way. Maybe they are posturing for dominace?? I think Big Guy would win since it is , well bigger.


Thanks for the quick help.
 
They survived the night. They seem fine. They are moving around and they even ate some flake. Just one problem. They are swimming at the top of the water and they are UPSIDE DOWN. They seem uneffected by this. They will flip over and chase some flake or swim a ways but then they come huddle back together upside down.

They aren't breathing hard or seem to be distressed. They are just upside down lol. I have no clue. Are they trying to be funny? They are clownfish after all. They don't seem to have an problem righting themselves. They will flip over and swim at the top normal, ocassionaly nosing above water.


Any ideas?
 
well here is an interesting observation. I turned the light out to take the top off to siphon some excess food out. They flipped over and went to mid depth to get away from the "Big Orange Hand" lol my aquagloves. When I put the top back on and turned the light on. Back to the top and flipped over.

Only thing I can think of is they are gettinga reflection of the bottom on the water line at the top. And must think up is down and down is up. The tank is barebottom and on a white table, so I am sure it reflects some. If this is the case I need some ideas on how to remedy the problem. I don't think I can lift the tank and put like a towel or anything down. Would probably crack a seal or something right? 10 gallon tank. I suppose I could take some water out and try if that really is the cause of the orrientation problem.
 
Still swimming upside down and at the top. Occasionally poking their heads above water. I put the airstone back in jsut in case it is an O2 problem. Any other ideas?
 
Hey.. They're okay ! Just working out who is going to be male and who is female, may take a week. Mine laid on bottom for five days never ate or anything then one day I was feeding and here he came. Thats been a month now, all is well ! ...Charles
 
Just flip the tank over and your all set! :)

I'm far from an expert but I wouldn't think that fish would visually orient themselves or what would happen in the dark?

I have two True Percs and they do sleep anywhich way (vertical, upside down etc) depending on how the anemone is oriented. They don't seem to suffer from "akward" positions.

Anyway you can post a little video? Seems like cool, unusual behavior.
 
lol ok I will keep an eye on them and see. I got one to eat a few mysis today. Hopefully the little one will eat tomorrow. They are certainly keeping me awake lol.
 
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