Old fish new problem

[madkeenreefer]

Hi,
I have a wild true perc that has been with me for the last 5yrs and for the last week I have noticed that it has been breathing more rapid then usual.
The first night I notice this he was floating in the current ( putting in little effort ) this behaviour has stopped, although the rapid breathing remains.
During feeding its buisness as usual for the clown.
As for my tank its a SPS tank with the soul LPS being a Duncan which was added two weeks prior to this event.
Other fish are fine! damsles laying eggs every other week and all fish eating with no other signs of stress. ( no new fish for the past 6mths)

Usualy I ride these things out but a week has past and im eager to see some change.

 

[jbax]

was it a juvi when you got it?

 

[hollister]

Rapid breathing good sighn of low oxygen levels. Oxygen brought in from a gas exchange at the surface . Low water movement and or a lid on the tank will cause this.

What size tank and whats used for water flow?

 

[madkeenreefer]

was it a juvi when you got it?

No, I got it from a tank that was torn down. I dont know the exact age.

Rapid breathing good sighn of low oxygen levels. Oxygen brought in from a gas exchange at the surface . Low water movement and or a lid on the tank will cause this.

What size tank and whats used for water flow?

150gl DT+ 70gl in sump. Tank flow is with OM4 and sequence Barracuda,
another sequence Barracuda used for return flow from sump in basement.
Have an AP851 skimmer and also run airstone in sump.

I dont think that the problem arises from flow or gas exchange also my Ph is stable at 8,25 daily and overnight drops to 8.05. I beleve low oxegen would cause lower less stable #.

a week before the it happened I did have an incedent with calcium perticipating in the tank after mixing up some new salt (my bad) could it have been possible that the fish ate/ingested some and have burnt his gills?

 

[hollister]

The airstone is useless , and it sounds like your useing a wave maker ? You need good steady water flow at least 25 times the tank size. If you have some power heads around it wont hurt to try.

 

[madkeenreefer]

The airstone is useless , and it sounds like your useing a wave maker ? You need good steady water flow at least 25 times the tank size. If you have some power heads around it wont hurt to try.

The air pump draws its supply from outside , and skimmer inside I am of the belife that the fresh air is making an impact on my PH so maybee not usless

OM4 http://www.oceansmotions.com/store/...id=32&osCsid=48bf4e2df7ea0351756c75add5f7b888 is a well respected flow control and has stood up to the tests of time as has the Sequence pumps, also this combo gives me the 25+ turnover.
Flow would realy not be the cause of this fishes problem, ie no Cyno to be found ,SPS showing growth & color, other fish in same tank breeding im at a loss as to what it could be other then the percipitation of the calcium the other week as its only the real issue ive has in the tank recently.

Could it be possible that the calcium carbonate could have burnt the gills of the fish if ingested? and if so I would guess only time would be the cure right?

 

[jbax]

The air pump draws its supply from outside , and skimmer inside I am of the belife that the fresh air is making an impact on my PH so maybee not usless

Could it be possible that the calcium carbonate could have burnt the gills of the fish if ingested? and if so I would guess only time would be the cure right?

IMO, i don't think flow/Oxygen/ gas exchange is the problem. either it's your theory with the calcium carbonate. maybe some medicated food could help it recover, sense it is still eating. or sadly it may just be an old fish wild caught,1st owner and now you have had it for 5yrs.

 

[five O]

Maybe your fish is just old. Every living thing must die at some point. You have had him or her for 5 years now, who knows how long the previous owner had him.

 

[madkeenreefer]

Wow! I never thought of old age to be a factor , it makes me wonder how old is old for a clown does anyone know what their life expectancy is?

 

[jbax]

edit

 

[RandyReefer]

Can you post a pic of him, sometimes you can tell if it's really old by the color and shape