Sick Breeding Clowns, Help Please!

[tommyb]

I have a newer breeding set up (~3 months or so) for clownfish. Here are the params:

Ammonia: 0
Nitrites: 0
Nitrates: ~20
Salinity: 1.020
Temp: 80
pH: 8.2

The total system volume is about 100 gallons. I have 4 pairs (2 b&w Occys, 1 Perc, 1 GSM). There are a few snails and hermits and live rock in the sump, broadstock tanks are bare except clay pots or tiles.


Yesterday I noticed, my newest pair of b&w's didn't eat in the evening. I got them on Saturday from a local reefer who I know well and didn't qt them because I didn't want to disrupt their breeding pattern if possible. I thought maybe she was going to lay because it would have been about the time she should have (I am raising their last batch). Neither would eat today and the female was very lethargic just lying on the tile. Not sideways but just her belly on it. I looked closer and one eye was very cloudy. I figured something must be wrong. I did some quick research and tried a freshwater dip for about 2 minutes, she seemed to upright her self better after this. A little while later I decided to give them both a Formalin bath and did so for about 30 minutes. The eye cleared up instantly.

What should I do from here? Should I just try to treat the whole system for something or take out that pair and QT them? Take all the fish out and QT them? I am lost at this point and could use some help. I would try to research more if I could but my time is limited by 2 little kids and a 8 month pregnant wife. The other clowns seem to be acting ok. Their appetite isn't what it was a day or two ago.

Also, my skimmer was going crazy today for some reason. Tons of bubbles and overflowing the cup.

Thanks for any help you can provide.

 

[c-aquafarm]

My opinion is:
Do not panic
The new fish should have gone into quarantine before entering into the system
Formalin baths are a good option, but with caution
Keep a close watch on the new fish
If they continue to show abnormal signs or symptoms, put them in a hospital tank

Good luck

 

[tommyb]

My opinion is:
Do not panic
The new fish should have gone into quarantine before entering into the system
Formalin baths are a good option, but with caution
Keep a close watch on the new fish
If they continue to show abnormal signs or symptoms, put them in a hospital tank

Good luck

Thanks for the help. Unfortunatly she died that same night. I pulled the rest of the clowns out and put them in QT. A couple of them looked like they might have some white spots. The male looked in bad shape but they are all doing better now in their hospital tank. Thanks again.

 

[c-aquafarm]

Too bad to hear about your loss.
Good luck with the treatment.