I'm 8 months new to the salt/reef tank world and have found these forums invaluable. But for the first time I can't find my current problem in the forum history and hope someone can help.
Almost 2 weeks ago I woke up to find my previously completely healthy clown fish floating on his side in the current of a power head. I thought for sure he would not make it 24 more hours; none of my tropical fish have ever survived after showing that behavior. Anyway, I thought that he looked exhausted so I turn of the current for a few hours and sure enough he righted himself after a short time but his swimming and behavior have been off ever since. I'm not close an expert but it does not look like any swim bladder issues I have ever seen. He can swim up and down just fine when he wants to and does not look like his tail is lifting or dropping.
He stays under one of the 2 power heads; the one he usually sleeps under, most of the time now and does not move from that spot unless I shut off the current. Also his appetite is way off. The closer I watch him the more it looks like he can't or won't turn to the left. He gets everywhere via turning to the right; which is why I think he is having trouble swimming. Every once in a while he looks like he tries to turn to the left but just ends up making a few rapid spastic motions. Someone at the pet shop thought he may have fluks so I gave him a 5 min freshwater bath. Afterword he looks to be swinging slightly better but it may be me being optimistic.
Any suggestion would be greatly greatly appreciated.
My tank is a JBJ 28G
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 1.7 ish
Phosphate .14 ish
Temperature had been a little on the high side 85 at one point but it was a gradual change not abrupt.
I also have a water fall style HOB refugium so I think oxygenation should be ok.
Stock:
1 bi color angel, one Yellow tail damsel, LM Blenny, misc. snails and hermits. About 2 months ago I literally lost my tailspot blenny, I blame one the hermit crabs but have no proof.
Almost 2 weeks ago I woke up to find my previously completely healthy clown fish floating on his side in the current of a power head. I thought for sure he would not make it 24 more hours; none of my tropical fish have ever survived after showing that behavior. Anyway, I thought that he looked exhausted so I turn of the current for a few hours and sure enough he righted himself after a short time but his swimming and behavior have been off ever since. I'm not close an expert but it does not look like any swim bladder issues I have ever seen. He can swim up and down just fine when he wants to and does not look like his tail is lifting or dropping.
He stays under one of the 2 power heads; the one he usually sleeps under, most of the time now and does not move from that spot unless I shut off the current. Also his appetite is way off. The closer I watch him the more it looks like he can't or won't turn to the left. He gets everywhere via turning to the right; which is why I think he is having trouble swimming. Every once in a while he looks like he tries to turn to the left but just ends up making a few rapid spastic motions. Someone at the pet shop thought he may have fluks so I gave him a 5 min freshwater bath. Afterword he looks to be swinging slightly better but it may be me being optimistic.
Any suggestion would be greatly greatly appreciated.
My tank is a JBJ 28G
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 1.7 ish
Phosphate .14 ish
Temperature had been a little on the high side 85 at one point but it was a gradual change not abrupt.
I also have a water fall style HOB refugium so I think oxygenation should be ok.
Stock:
1 bi color angel, one Yellow tail damsel, LM Blenny, misc. snails and hermits. About 2 months ago I literally lost my tailspot blenny, I blame one the hermit crabs but have no proof.
