Help, rapid breathing & trouble staying upright

[lilprincess]

I just fed my 6 year old ocellaris clown pair about 20 minutes ago and left the room. I just came back and found my female false perc breathing extremely rapidly and she's having difficulty keeping herself upright. They were both perfectly fine before I feed them and when I left the room just after they finished eating and the male is fine. Any ideas or suggestions on what it might be or what I should do?

 

[$eaba$$]

Did you feed flakes or other food that floats to the top without sinking? If so, your clownfish may have swallowed air. Normally, they get rid of the air, but very few times they may actually swallow it and not be able to get rid of the air in their stomach. If that is what happened, you may not be so lucky sorry to say. I have heard of many people who have had clowns die this way... sorry. maybe someone else will chime in...

 

[lilprincess]

Thanks for the reply. I fed the ORA Glo sinking pellets, however they're so quick to eat they generally grab most of the pellets before they even start to sink. Her condition hasn't changed as of this moment. She doesn't seem to be breathing as rapidly but it's still pretty fast...fast enough to be concerned. She keeps floating sideways then overcompensating to keep herself upright. I feel so helpless right now.

 

[$eaba$$]

yeah, sorry but it sounds it may have swallowed some air and not have expelled it. If you're lucky, it might be able to spit out the air some time, you never know, but I guess you will see. Sorry and good luck!