New Clownfish

[Phoenix19]

I got two false percula (Amphiprion ocellaris) about a week ago. This morning the smallest clown was in the top corner of the aquarium standing on his head. He was almost completely vertical. About an hour later he started scratching his gills on the sand. Of course I started freaking out and reading as much as I could. What are the symptoms of Brookynella? I read that the disease will respond to formalin and malachite green. So I picked up some Quick Cure and some Marine Life Guard in case I'm wrong. Is there anything else it could be? Scratching and occasionally headstanding are the only symptoms he is showing. No spots, no sores, no unusual slime coat. His color is a tiny bit lighter than usual. I am planning on moving him out of the tank into a 1 gallon quarantine as unfortunately that is the only empty tank I have. Any other things I should try?

 

[Phoenix19]

I forgot to mention that he is eating well too.

 

[MIKE ALERS]

it seems it's stressed out.

 

[Phoenix19]

Well the other one is covered in little white dots today so she's in there with him. I'll be getting a small hospital/quarantine tank after I get off work to move them both into. I'm treating with Marine Lifeguard and Quick Cure.

 

[Phoenix19]

How long can the parasite live in the display tank without a host? I can treat it because of the live rock and inverts.

 

[dc]

Try reading this. Knocking on wood, I've never had to deal with it.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=282934

 

[mikeandjenn99]

Covered in little white dots could easily be ich. If that's the case, you need to leave them in QT for 8 weeks. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but that's the best way to ensure it completely dies in the display tank and won't reinfest your clowns when you put them back in the tank. I know how bad it is, because I had to go through it. As far as the headstanding, I wouldn't stress too awful much about that on its own because my female occ. does it all the time and she's as healthy as a horse... er... fish. Here's a great link to treat with Hypo, which is what I do and have had much success with. Hypo Article
This reinforces the need to quarantine everything before adding it to your main tank.
Good luck!

 

[Phoenix19]

Thank you. I meant to say I can't treat the display tank because of the live rock and inverts. They are now happily swimming around in their new 5 1/2 gallon quarantine/hospital tank, looking much better I might add, although not wanting to eat after being moved...

So I need to wait 8 weeks before I can put them back in the display to make sure the parasites have all died...*sigh*

Oh well, lesson learned I guess...