Fish stopped eating

[BobJones02]

Hi everyone. A month ago I bought 2 clownfish from my lfs. They were eating fine, but a few days ago I noticed one wouldn't eat. I've been feeding them marine S pellets, frozen mysis shrimp, frozen brine shrimp, and occasionally flakes. It won't won't eat any of these. Parameters seem to be fine, with ammonia and nitrites zero and nitrates at 30 ppm.I added a photo if that'll help.

 

[E46Twist]

Is it acting normal otherwise?

 

[BobJones02]

Yeah, it's hovering over one spot though.

 

[pyithar]

soak the foods in selcon, garlic extreme, etc. it might help make the fish wanna eat again.

 

[E46Twist]

I second the garlic idea. That mixed with some brine or mysis should get the clown excited. Also it can be annoying to wait for but try and see if it is pooping.

 

[BobJones02]

I tried that, it seems to be working a little.
Thanks guys!

 

[BobJones02]

His fins are also faded in color though.

 

[Marishka]

Is there anything in the tank harassing him?
Is he breathing normally?

 

[BobJones02]

He's breathing fine. The other clown harasses him all the time, especially during feeding.

 

[shesacharmer]

Are your two clowns similar in size? Optimally there should be a definite size difference. What you may be seeing is a struggle for dominance.

 

[BobJones02]

Yes, there is a size difference. In the first few weeks it looked like they had established dominance and then started staying with each other. Now the big one just charges at the small one.

 

[BobJones02]

I just caught him pooping. It was very lite colored, but not stringy.
Also his stomach appears to be concave.

 

[E46Twist]

You may want to consider pulling him into a QT right away. If he has a parasite you may be about to stop the other clown from getting it.

 

[Marishka]

The harassment from the second clown is probably the cause. Clowns can be pretty nasty.If you have any way to separate him in a different tank or even in a small hang-on type of enclosure that might do the trick.I have 2 matted pairs and a harem of 3 clowns and one loner. i watched females establish their dominance and sometimes the males were literally beaten into the submission (during that time the males ate very little, if anything-I think that's why females get so much bigger ) I did have to separate them several times.

 

[BobJones02]

Okay, I'll put him in the quarantine tank and see how that goes.

 

[BobJones02]

Also, if he has a parasite, how would I go about treating him?

 

[Marishka]

That depends on a parasite.Just give him time of from the other clown-he might be just stressed out by constant harassment.

 

[BobJones02]

okay

 

[BobJones02]

He appears to be doing better now.

 

[xnetgeek]

awesome! garlic is magic.