Frayed Fins - Possibly Sick Clownfish - Youtube Video - Please Help

[tvshow]

Evening All,

I have 2 True Percs I picked up this weekend (they've been at LFS for 2.5wks). Both fish are eating great. The pelvic fins on one of them are rather frayed. Should I be concerned? They are in RSM250 (66 gal) with a Vlmangi Tang, Hippo, Hawkfish, and Diamond Goby...

I have not done a freshwater dip, but am considering it. I know I should have QT'd, but I specifically had them set aside at LFS so I could monitor.

Please take a look at this video, and let me know what you guys think...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnSLing0zVo

Thanks!

 

[pavelow360]

Evening All,

I have 2 True Percs I picked up this weekend (they've been at LFS for 2.5wks). Both fish are eating great. The pelvic fins on one of them are rather frayed. Should I be concerned? They are in RSM250 (66 gal) with a Vlmangi Tang, Hippo, Hawkfish, and Diamond Goby...

I have not done a freshwater dip, but am considering it. I know I should have QT'd, but I specifically had them set aside at LFS so I could monitor.

Please take a look at this video, and let me know what you guys think...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NnSLing0zVo

Thanks!

My knee jerk reaction to your suggestion of a FW dip is NO; just because I have had a 100 % death rate in my experience with doing them.

However, I have only resorted to the FW dip when my fish were a lot worse off that yours appears to be and it may have just been too much.

I have read of FW dip being some peoples preventative treatment for all new arrivals and with great success. I am still on the fence with the FW dip.

Are they showing signs of anything other than frayed fins?

If not, I believe you should not do anything and just monitor your fish and feed well, the fins should heal just fine. It could just be an injury from snuggling up with the anenome.

 

[tvshow]

@pavelow360

Thanks for the response. I too am hesitant to do the FW dip, but know that like you said, once you really see the symptoms they are too weak to take much stress.

One thing that I did not mention, as I was in a hurry to get that posted is that this particular fish has "flashed" (twitched on occasion) the last couple days. I've read this to be a potential sign of Flukes.

I'm heading out of town on Sunday for a Month, so time is definitely not on my side. The tank is completely automated as far as water changes and ATO go. I have a cam on it as well that I can get a semi-decent view of whats going on, and can coach someone through some basic maintenance, but I don't think I'll be able to move this fish from the DT and expect someone else to keep up the QT maintenance..

Audience .. please weigh in..

 

[SkullV]

Twitching in clownfish is also a submissive dance that the males do to to allow the females to assert their dominance. If the clownfish you added were not already paired up and just part of a large group at the LFS I would just let it play out. The more dominant fish is probably nipping at the less dominant one and the more dominant one will become female. If they are both eating well then just don't worry about it unless you see redness or fungus growing.

@pavelow360

Thanks for the response. I too am hesitant to do the FW dip, but know that like you said, once you really see the symptoms they are too weak to take much stress.

One thing that I did not mention, as I was in a hurry to get that posted is that this particular fish has "flashed" (twitched on occasion) the last couple days. I've read this to be a potential sign of Flukes.

I'm heading out of town on Sunday for a Month, so time is definitely not on my side. The tank is completely automated as far as water changes and ATO go. I have a cam on it as well that I can get a semi-decent view of whats going on, and can coach someone through some basic maintenance, but I don't think I'll be able to move this fish from the DT and expect someone else to keep up the QT maintenance..

Audience .. please weigh in..

 

[tvshow]

@SkullV

Thank You for the response. That's what I'm doing now.. I just want to make sure I do what I can if something is in fact wrong..

These 2 were in cubes next to each other, so I'm hoping it's just them figuring out who's going to be boss. The other one is definitely the dominant of the two.

My hawkfish was a little aggressive towards them at first, but hasn't messed with them since they started hanging with their nem.

 

[pavelow360]

I agree with Skull about the sideways twitching dance, as long as it isn't flashing against rocks or anything else in the tank. I had a damn chromis flashing a maroon clown to try and relieve the itching from an ich infection... lol

I would keep an eye on that hawk fish, even though you have the anemone. I had one that started taking bites out of the added fish.

 

[SkullV]

Does the less dominant one twitch every time it is charged? If they were separated from other clowns for too long they might both be female which is a recipe for disaster. Keep an eye on them and if the fighting doesn't stop in 3-5 days I would take both of them back and try to get a couple that have been in a tank either together privately or in a large group.

 

[tvshow]

@pavelow360 - it's amazing the funny things you can observe in the behavior of marine fish. I'm on the fence with this hawk fish. He was one of the first fish I got, and it would be hard to kick him out! He's been acting pretty aggressive towards the other tankmates, but they all seem to hold their own, as they are his size or larger. He's definitely of concern when it comes to the clowns. These seemed like they'd be big enough to hold their own...

@SkullV - I didn't think about that. I'll watch closely and see if that's what's going on. The times that I've observed them, the slightly larger healthy fish does is definitely more dominant..

 

[SkullV]

I just watched your video, they are both in the same anemone and not constantly chasing each other. I would say they are already well on their way to being a bonded pair. Just keep feeding very nutritious (NLS Pellets are my choice) food and the fins should heal up completely in a couple weeks or less. Enjoy your clownfish. I would say they are good to go!

 

[tvshow]

@SkullV .. That makes me feel much better. If things seem to be getting worse, I'll post more videos. I'm currently feeding a blend of Dainichi Marine FX, Veggie FX, Frozen Mysis, and frozen brine. They seem to like the frozen brine the most. Oh and they surprisingly picked at the seaweed on my clip yesterday. Kind of brave for newbies. I've been feeding them like crazy, as that seems to always help start fish on the right track. So far the tank has handled the bio-load without any problems. If anything my corals look much better now that I've got more than one fish!

I just spent a few minutes watching them with just the moon lights on now, and the more dominant one is shacking up deep in anemone, while the other one with the frayed fins is hanging around the edges .. Is this normal behavior?

 

[SkullV]

Pretty normal behavior for a pair that is just starting to bond. As time progresses you will see the female (dominant) allow the male to come farther and farther in until they are sleeping side by side.

I would also cut the frozen brine out of the diet. It is like popcorn, just fills them up but not very nutritious. Mysis is good especially soaked with Selcon. I would also consider getting a high quality Pellet food like New Life Spectrum as a staple food. Clowns are easy to please and train onto pellets easily.

 

[tvshow]

Good info! I will limit the brine and get some of the food you recommend. Both fish are eating the sinking pellets I have. I'll pick up some NLS food tomorrow. Thanks, John

 

[ildfr]

I think they are quite well.If they keep eating ,the frayed fins will recover soon!!!

 

[tvshow]

So far so good... Both fish are eating good.. I'm hoping we stay on this path!

 

[SkullV]

So far so good... Both fish are eating good.. I'm hoping we stay on this path!

Good to hear! I've been waiting for an update on this thread. I'm sure everyone will be fine. Just keep them fat and that will keep them healthy!