Lethargic clownfish after purchase. Suggestions wanted

[Ding2daDong]

Hello all,

I recently purchased 2 ocelaris black clownfish that where at the LFS for about a month. They were eating fine and seemed to be in perfect health.

I put them in the tank on Sunday and they were swimming around and eating pellets and the male seems to be eating some frozen.

Since that day they have both swam to the lowest flow area of the tank and the female is refusing to eat. They are acting very lethargic and not swimming energetically around the tank like the first day or like they where at the LFS.

I have tried a variety of foods and now thinking that if she doesn't eat by tomorrow then I will have to try live brine shrimp.

Just wondering your thoughts if you have heard of this problem or it seems to be an acclimating thing? I used to breed clownfish and never had an issue like this before. I did notice some white stringy poop on the female and male but have had this issue in the past and with proper feedings and good water quality it always went away for good.

Oh and my water quality is consistent and proper.

Thanks for your help,

-Matthew

 

[jt_milstead]

Any skin issues...Sound like it could be the beginning of Brook. Might have been wild caught.

 

[sedor]

They could just be adjusting to their new home. At this point there really isn't much to do aside from just giving them time to settle in and hope they aren't sick. FWIW, my clowns aren't the biggest swimmers and tend to spend a lot of time just hanging out in their little home behind a rock.

 

[Ding2daDong]

Any skin issues...Sound like it could be the beginning of Brook. Might have been wild caught.

She doesn't have any skin issues. I figured she and her mate were very hardy because they have been at the LFS for so long. I think 99.99% of black ocelaris are tank raised by ORA but that's just my personal guess. I live in FL so LFS have ORA clowns.

I do notice she is opening and closing her mouth a lot, but not gapping just extremely small, maybe 40ish times a minute. The male doesn't do this at all. But I have had clownfish do this for years without issue. I think in this instance it's just a fish being a fish and some have different characteristics then others.

I dealt with brook an lost a couple clownfish pairs and don't think this is brook.

I will keep an eye on them. I really appreciate the help everyone.

-Matthew

 

[jt_milstead]

She doesn't have any skin issues. I figured she and her mate were very hardy because they have been at the LFS for so long. I think 99.99% of black ocelaris are tank raised by ORA but that's just my personal guess. I live in FL so LFS have ORA clowns.

I do notice she is opening and closing her mouth a lot, but not gapping just extremely small, maybe 40ish times a minute. The male doesn't do this at all. But I have had clownfish do this for years without issue. I think in this instance it's just a fish being a fish and some have different characteristics then others.

I dealt with brook an lost a couple clownfish pairs and don't think this is brook.

I will keep an eye on them. I really appreciate the help everyone.

-Matthew

I missed the part about black and white....Sorry.

 

[Ding2daDong]

Okay well I fed with live brine shrimp and all my fish went wild except for the clownfish. They are both so lethargic it is really weird. Do you think this all could be from an internal parasite from the stringy white poop? If I catch them, what treatment should I do?

I am going to wait a couple more days before I do this but want to be prepared.

Thanks again for all the help,

-Matthew

 

[MarinaP]

If I catch them, what treatment should I do?

10 min FW dip followed be Prazipro in a hospital tank per instructions. The sooner the better.

You can buy it here

http://www.jehmco.com/html/medications.html

Don't feed live brine, unless you hatch them yourself, to avoid introducing parasites.

 

[TyroRuan]

Yep i agree with MarinaP, personally im setting up a new QT for just that reason. QT, deworm, and treat for diseases if needed.

Now you may be in danger if they are too weak to go through the deworming, cross the fingers.. GOOD KARMA your way

 

[TyroRuan]

http://donisreef.com/index.html

BTW check this site out, she has the 101 for clowns. may be able to help

 

[Ding2daDong]

Thanks everyone I really appreciate the help. I am going to give it one more day and then start the catch/treat them.

Thanks

-Matthew

 

[mrjando]

Hey how are your clowns doing? I have two ocellaris that seem to be exhibiting the same behavior...