new clownfish looks like its dying!

[ariane209]

Hi all,

I've been progressing with my 12g nanocube. I started with a CUC and some corals and finally went ahead and got a fish. It is a tank-raised true perc.

I floated the bag for 15 minutes in the tank, then did a drip acclimation, over 1.5 hours, ended up with about 4x the original water volume of the bag. Then I put the fish in the tank about 3 hours ago and it looks like it's really struggling. It's breathing really hard and fast, and swimming at the very top almost at a 45 degree angle. Sometimes he swims straight down an inch or two, then makes it back to the top just as fast and keeps on struggling. Looks like he's really fighting the current. I'm just running the stock nanocube pump, really can't be that strong! Is he dying?! What should I do?

pH is 8.4 - a little high I know but I've been running the heater a lot lately. I opened the windows today so fresh air would drop it down (C02 lowers it, oxygen raises it, correct?)
salinity - 1.024
ammonia, nitrite, nitrate - 0

The snails, hermit crabs, and GSP coral are all looking fine, so why is the fish struggling? Is this normal "first day" behavior and I'm just freaking out for nothing?

Please let me know!

 

[ariane209]

Oops, I meant CO2 raises it, oxygen lowers it!! I'm so nervous, I got that mixed up.

 

[TwentyTwenty]

Sounds like you did everything right. Just give him a chance to settle in. You really should have QT him. But, its to late now. Just keep an eye on your parmtrs and he should be fine in a day or two. Good luck.

 

[ariane209]

Thanks, that is good to hear. I know they say give them time, but it's just so hard to watch!! You'd swear they are dying.

I really know about the QT tank. I went out and bought a second tank and filter, put the filter in my regular tank for a week, then mixed my own water. Did everything to the book. But I kept getting ammonia problems. I tried to empty the whole aquarium and started again with pre-mixed water from the store, all the params were ok but the water wasn't fully heated. I figured I'd get the fish and the water would heated when I got home and it was not. It was just bad planning.

So I decided to add it to the main tank cause I didn't know what else to do He is the only fish and the QT tank is done heating now, so I can transfer him there if he starts getting sick. I'd transfer him there now, but I figured it would be too much stress for one day, getting acclimated twice in just a few hours.

 

[TwentyTwenty]

Good move leaving him in,would have done the same. Yea, I freaked when I added my Clown as well. Did not really know they were bad swimmers. You will enjoy watching him try to swim. It is almost befitting of thier name. Good luck and enjoy the new guy.