Is it just insane?

[TjwBlake]

I have an oscelaris Clown, he's been in the tank for the better part of 3months and he's the only fish in there. This morning I woke up and he is going bonkers...

He is rippings arounf the tank and litterally flipping over himself, a few times he did what can only be described as summersaults over himself in rapid succession then dark around bouncing off the rocks and sandbed before ducking into a small hole and sitting there perched on the rocks.
****Will try to get a video but i was on my way to work and couldnt find the camera this morning***

He has no visible marks of any sort and up until today, he has been fine, eating like a horse and cruisin the tank.

does this sound like anything to anyone?

 

[MrTuskfish]

No idea what's causing this; possibly something toxic. How are water parms? I've seen fish act this way; unfortunately, its often the last thing the do.
I looked at your profile; an 8 gal tank is very difficult to keep any fish in long-term. Anything that goes wrong with the water is multipled by the small water volume. With rock, sand, etc., you probably don't have more than 5 gals of water. IMO, that won't keep a clownfish (or most any fish) healthy for long.

 

[TjwBlake]

unfortunately "last thing they do" this is what I've been thinking as well...

Parameters have been very steady since day one..
SG 1.025-26
amonia/nirite 0
nitrate .5 by the end of the week when i do the water change
cal; 400
ph 8.3 (i'll have to reconfirm when i get home and can read my chart)
temp; 80-82 depending on the time of day

 

[b0bab0ey]

Sounds like something toxic in the water to me too. My first step would be to do a huge WC ASAP. I've also had new fish suddenly die after doing what you're describing. I've often suspected cyanide poisoning. Do you know if the clown was tank raised or wild caught?

 

[TjwBlake]

ya.. ill be doing a WC when i get home tonight, but odd that it could be a toxin. i have not changed or used anything different since the tank was set up. and the shrimp and CUC are all looking fine, and the little zoa colony i have has never looked better.. ug

 

[snorvich]

Sounds like something toxic in the water to me too. My first step would be to do a huge WC ASAP. I've also had new fish suddenly die after doing what you're describing. I've often suspected cyanide poisoning. Do you know if the clown was tank raised or wild caught?

Sounds right to me (toxicity) so a water change is best. Parameters are fine as presented.

 

[TjwBlake]

well the water change will be getting done within the hour or so.

Just curious how these toxins get introduced in such a manner that they would be fatal

 

[b0bab0ey]

well the water change will be getting done within the hour or so.

Just curious how these toxins get introduced in such a manner that they would be fatal

You'd be amazed how toxic everyday things can be to an aquarium, especially one as small as yours. Something on your hands like soap residue or moisturizer, cologne/underarm deodorant, bug spray, glass cleaner, etc. etc. The only thing that doesn't line up is you say everything else is doing fine. Just the clown is acting strange. Hopefully the WC improves the situation for you. Keep us posted.

 

[TjwBlake]

Well 50%+ waterchange on the tank last night.
So far fish is still wiggin' out this morning and staying tucked behind a rock near the bottom.

Gonna be managing things best I can for now... see what happens

 

[b0bab0ey]

Well 50%+ waterchange on the tank last night.
So far fish is still wiggin' out this morning and staying tucked behind a rock near the bottom.

Gonna be managing things best I can for now... see what happens

Might take a little bit for you to see the fruits of your labor (WC). Also, any chance you get, look him over for any visible signs of disease. Is he still eating? IME a fish that is still eating doesn't usually just drop dead suddenly.

 

[TjwBlake]

He hasn't really been eating for the past 3 days.. he might pick at a pellet or nibble on some mysis.. but thats it. I havent seen any outward signs of disease either. He color is fine, nothing sloughing off, nothing growing etc.

I suppose just like humans.. some creatures just arent quite right in the health department, but i hope he'll pull through