Odd swimming behavior, swim bladder problem?

[hobbzz]

Picked up these two a few days ago. Since then the domino has stopped eating and started swimming like this. Doesn't matter where he is in the tank in relation to the other clown, he can't seem to keep his head down. No posturing/pairing dances yet. Never does the normal bobbing the head swimming pattern any more. I did not notice any swim bladder issues in the store, and he's obviously captive bred so no possibility of decompression issues, but looks awfully like swim bladder to me. Currently treating the tank with seachem kanaplex. Might add another air pump and then dose prazi just in case. Any ideas? Thanks in advance.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AhrMKUrywJ4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[hobbzz]

Anyone?

 

[Dmorty217]

Not really sure what to tell you? Swim bladder issues typically involve floating as opposed to sinking behavior. How long after you brought the clown home did this show up?

 

[hobbzz]

About 3-4 days. Still the same and not eating.

 

[Dmorty217]

I wish I had some better advise for you? If it is swim bladder related the only way I have ever seen the problem corrected is with a needle thru the anus of the fish to relieve the pressure. Nothing I have ever attempted but Hedgedrew has had it done to a few fish before, maybe he could help you if you want to go that route

 

[hobbzz]

Thanks for the suggestions! I'll wait and see how he does.

 

[Maritimer]

Could be a swim-bladder issue, but it should be not _enough_ gas, rather than too much. If you went with a hypodermic solution, you might have to inject air (dangerous, and a difficult balance to achieve, at a guess!), rather than remove gas. He's definitely negatively bouyant.

No real solutions to offer, but hope the little fella makes it through!

~B.

 

[Dmorty217]

Could be a swim-bladder issue, but it should be not _enough_ gas, rather than too much. If you went with a hypodermic solution, you might have to inject air (dangerous, and a difficult balance to achieve, at a guess!), rather than remove gas. He's definitely negatively bouyant.

No real solutions to offer, but hope the little fella makes it through!

~B.

+1 I have only encountered buoyant swim bladder issues

 

[ThRoewer]

I've seen this before, usually with fish that either never filled their swimbladder (as a larva) or fish that got too cold and got a swimbladder infection.

Here is an article that may help understanding the causes: http://freshaquarium.about.com/od/problemsolving/p/swim_bladder_disorder.htm

 

[hobbzz]

Thanks for the link. I believe the kanaplex is a broad spectrum antibiotic, but if not I'll try that next. I've tried the peas already the day of my first post but he didn't show any interest. Glad to see I'm on the right track though. On a positive note, he did eat a little tonight. Also the peas are to clear the gi tract, and the kanaplex is supposed to do the same so that's good. Thanks again.

 

[hobbzz]

On another note, he has been sticking to a spot in the tank right above the sponge filter. Only about an inch of water in between the surface and the top of the sponge, but he stays level. Doesn't really stray out from there much, the other clown doesn't really like him much. No aggression yet. When he does go out, he doesn't really do the head up swimming like in the video any more, but maybe he just doesn't stay out long enough. He stays horizontal, but still not the usual clown wave-like swimming style either. Maybe it was a swim bladder infection that's clearing due to the antibiotics, or maybe it's just coincidence, not sure how to interpret it.

 

[ThRoewer]

The peas are for freshwater fish. I don't know if they do any good for saltwater fish. Though in the past I tried feeding my clownfish pairs peas and they seemed to like them (cut to bite-size of course).

 

[hobbzz]

It's the fiber that does it. My tangs eat it, and a couple wrasses, but not much else.