Newly paired clowns

[bwest]

I purchased each of these at two different times over the perod of about 5 days. Both were labeled and sold as ocellaris clowns, but I have a feeling the second one I purchased is a true percula. They seem to be getting along extremely well. I think I saw only a couple playful nips in the first couple of days, but since then they have been swimming near each other almost all the time and show no aggression towards each other.

They are really fun to watch interact with each other, and have accepted some handfed flake food from me. Here's some pictures of the two. I apologize that the focus was off on a couple of them, but you get the idea.

The second one purchased. Possibly a true percula?

The rest are of the two together

 

[SuperNerd]

IMO you are right. Probably mislabeled as ocellaris because of the thin bars.

 

[bwest]

There is definitely a noticable difference when compared side by side, and from what I can tell the perc in question has 9 dorsal spines, possibly 10 at most, which from what I have read designates A. percula.

 

[rkelman]

That second one doesn't look so good...

 

[OrionN]

Compair the height of the dorsal find and the color of the ring around the eye, I think the second is an A. percula and the first is A. ocellaris. As rkelman pointed out, the second fish does not look too good. I hope he will recover.

 

[bwest]

I have no idea what you two are talking about by saying the second one doesnt look so good. It would be great if you could be more specific, because as of now, they both swim together, are eating, and in general seem to be doing fine. As of last night the true percula found the BTA.

 

[SuperNerd]

They probably mean it looks diseased/ stressed and raggedy, judging especially from the first pic. Are those white patches glare or actually on the fish?

 

[SuperNerd]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8662908#post8662908 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by OrionN
Compair the height of the dorsal find and the color of the ring around the eye, I think the second is an A. percula and the first is A. ocellaris. As rkelman pointed out, the second fish does not look too good. I hope he will recover.

Height meaning the ocellaris dorsal fin is "higher," correct?

 

[bwest]

They both have been eating, in fact I just got done feeding them. The one that was said to not look so good does have a few spots that appear to be white, and does look a bit ragged. I just purchased that one from the fish store about 2.5 days ago, and it probably wasn't in the optimal environment. From what I can tell it looks to have improved a bit since then, but I'll be keeping tabs on it. Any have any suggestions of what it might be and what can be done?

 

[bwest]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8665323#post8665323 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SuperNerd
Height meaning the ocellaris dorsal fin is "higher," correct?

yes, in general an ocellaris doral is taller than a true percula.

 

[bwest]

Here are some pictures I took today starting with a couple of the true perc in the BTA, followed by a couple of closer shots of it to show a little better detail of the 'white patches' that were mentioned. Hopefully someone can identify what these are, how they can be treated, and what steps should be taken to do so. Thanks everyone.

White Spots in question:

 

[OrionN]

You A. percula looks thin (concave dorsal area) and have wounds, missing scales and look like he have infections (white spots). It does appear to be an fungal or bacterial infection of some kind. The best thing to do is to put him in quarantine tank and treat him with both anti-bacterial and anti-fungal medication. You can also feed him by himself and get him fatten up.
If you don't have a quarantine then just leave him be and try to feed him well and keep him stress free as possible. If he eat well but don't gain weight then consider treat him for internal parasites.
Good luck.

 

[bwest]

Thanks, as of right now I don't have a quarantine tank setup. I think I may do this tonight, sine I have an extra 10 gallon tank laying around.

Should I put anything into the quarantine tank? rock or sand?
Also, are there any preffered anti-bacterial and anti-fungal meds to use? Soon the only thing open will be Walmart, and they dont have the greatest selection of fish stuffs. ANy help would be great.

 

[OrionN]

Quarantine tank should have heater, circulation no LR or lave sand but some plastic funiture for the fish to hide in (several PVC orner should be OK.
Antibiotic and antifungal should be sold at any fish store. Erythromycin, Doxycyline and Metronidazole are some of the antibiotic use for fish. I am not sure about anti fungal. I don't have much experience with treating sick fish with medications.

 

[bwest]

ok thanks again, the quarantine tank is now almost setup, good thing I have an extra heater and some extra pumps just laying around. Gotta get the salinity and temp right now and then run for some meds.

 

[OrionN]

Mix up new salt water, put it in your main tank and use tank water for quarantine. You will need to change water daily. Monitor the ammonia level because quarantine tank cannot convert amonia to nitrite and nitrates. Using water from your tank will not stress the fish in quarantine's tank.

 

[bwest]

The true perc is now in the quarantine tank. I didn't use the tank water for that tank though, since the main tank is only a 12 gallon, and would have been a near 100% water change. I didn't want to do that to the BTA or other inhabitants. I bought some tertracycline, and dosed it into the quarantine tank, so hopefully it will help out. The percula seemed kind of lethargic before taking it out of the main tank, but at least made an attempt to get away from me when I went to catch it. I think that's at least a good sign. I'll keep up the doses and water changes over the next couple of days and see how things go.

 

[OrionN]

Newly mix water are toxic to the animals. I hope he will be OK. Good luck.

 

[bwest]

It's acting better than it did before now that it's in the quarantine tank. Why would it be toxic?

 

[OrionN]

I asked Randy (PHD in Chemistry) the same question not too long ago. This was what he wrote:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=959033