Major Dilemma - Dying Clown?

[AliKat]

I came home and had a heck of a time finding my pink skunk in the tank. She's been hiding some and not as close to her mate as usual, so I've been worried. I couldn't find her, and she gave me a scare.

Finally did find her. For the past 30 minutes, she's been alternating swimming around the tank in circles (and sometimes bumping things) and sitting behind rock or on the substrate. I figure this doesn't bode well.

I caught her and put her in one of the floating breeders, so I can keep an eye on her and she won't just crawl under a rock where I'll never find her. Here's the thing, though... The poor little thing is trying so hard to get out of the breeder that it's breaking my heart. What's a mommy to do?

Just FYI, water params are all fine. My Magnifica is as happy as can be, and I just added the pink skunks on Thursday. They were from LA. The female started hiding and such shortly after I got her, so maybe the shipping stressed her.

At any rate, should I keep her in the breeder or let her out? I'm worried she'll crawl under something and I'll never find her, but she sure does look uncomfortable in the breeder.

 

[traveller7]

If the clown is breathing heavily, I would err on the side of hospitalizing all the fish in the tank. New fish arrivals = amlyoo, brook, or crypto far too often.

 

[AliKat]

She seems to be better this morning. Not breathing heavily at all. I guess I'll keep an eye on her. I don't really have the choice of hospitalizing the fish right now because I have students coming in for the rest of the afternoon, but may very well take your suggestion later on tonight.

Man, that's just what I need. This is one of the busiest weeks of my life!

 

[AliKat]

By the way, what are the early signs of all of those diseases? I've never had to deal with any of them, so I don't know what to look for.

 

[traveller7]

Most begin with accelerated breathing, swimming head up or down, little white spots, a greyish white coating on the dorsal surface, small pits/erosion in the area of the first white stripe, etc.

Best advice I can give, never put a new critter in your main tank unless it goes through quarantine for 30 days. Such a habit will save you time and money; not mention your critters lives.

 

[AliKat]

It's the strangest thing, but she seems to be okay today. I'll just keep an eye on her, I guess. I seriously expected to wake up this morning and for her to have not made it thru the night.