New clown Fish swimming at top of tank not below..? Is he sick?

[SecretGardenSC]

I purchased a Clown Fish that came in to the LFS today. I saw him in the bag and then in the community tank with the other fish. After I picked him out and took him home to my nano 15G, he keeps simming on the top of the water. He hasn't gone under to explore the rocks or by the sand. My Chromis, swams around and under the rock after I acclimated him but not my Clown.

Do you think he has a problem breathing? Do you think he is going to get sick with that disease where their skin peels off and leaves open wounds? ( the common disease for Clown Fish.)

Please help with ideas to help him.

thanks!

 

[Monroereef]

My clowns swim at the top of the tank all the time. Give it sometime. If there are no signs of heavy/fast breathing (which could indicate lack of oxygen in the water) there is nothing to worry about.

Good Luck!
Sunny

 

[Alex482455]

Did you quarantine ?
All clowns when you introduce them to a new tank they act very weird. Do not worry at all and just give him some time. He is gonna be ok within the next couple weeks.

 

[snorvich]

If there are no signs of heavy/fast breathing (which could indicate lack of oxygen in the water) there is nothing to worry about.

Actually fast breathing or hanging near powerheads or returns would indicate potential parasites in the gills.

 

[Monroereef]

Actually fast breathing or hanging near powerheads or returns would indicate potential parasites in the gills.

Yes it could be. However that would be the case anywhere in the tank. Since he said the fish was at the top, I just wanted to make sure that it was not breathing heavy. If it is breathing heavy at the bottom of the tank, yes it is not due to lack of oxygen.

It is normal for clowns to float up high in the tank.

 

[Gobey1Kanobi]

Not sure if this helps, but I was having the same issue. I bought 2 clowns from LFS and all they did was hang up top. They would stay up top and 1 would actually stick his head out and almost gasp for air. He actually jumped out of the tank once. I tested all of my water and everything was fine. I have very good flow in the tank as well. I kept my tank between 79-80 degrees, but it never got above 80. I tried lowering my temp by 2 degrees and the clowns are much happier. They actually swim in the middle of the tank now. Sometimes they even venture near the bottom. Not sure if this is coincidence or what, but it seems to have helped. Might be worth a shot.