Sick clowns?

[kelp47]

Just a quick update for those looking for results of CP / Ick Shield Powder...

Day 11: The fish are still showing no visible signs of parasites (since day 2). The darting has subsided quite a bit--I'm seeing little to no flashing/scratching/shaking. The spot I was concerned about on the smaller fish is starting to get better with no treatment.

They continue to eat well and swim actively when I enter the room.

 

[kelp47]

I’m still a little concerned about the larger clown lying around so much, and I don’t think she is eating as well. I wonder if she’s a little stressed. Normally I would just do a water change as a first course of action, but that becomes a little more complicated when treating with CP. So I went by the pharmacy again today and had them measure out enough medicine for one 50% water change and two 25% water changes. I thought I would do a 50% change tonight or tomorrow to see if that helps the stressed clown, and then I would have the other two for a couple of changes until I reach day 21.

But now I’m wondering if it might be better to just move them to a new unmedicated QT. What if the clown is showing signs of stress from the medication? They’ve been free of any visible sign of parasites since the second day of treatment, and they are now on day 13. Their darting is either fully or mostly gone. I’ve ready varying thoughts on CP treatment times, so I’m not sure if I should alter the treatment time given by the manufacturer. Any thoughts?

I guess the main question is whether the clown might be stressed from meds or something else. The ammonia has crept up a little, but I don’t think to a serious level. I did put some Prime in yesterday to hold me over until I could get the medicine to treat the new water.

 

[kelp47]

The fish are just crazy, and perfectly fine!
I went ahead and did a 25% water change with medicated water--it was time.

Day 13: Fish still looking good. The white spot (non-parasitic) I was watching on the smaller fish is completely gone.

 

[ThRoewer]

At this point I prefer CP over everything else when it comes to protozoan parasites - it's easy and pretty foolproof and treats a number of parasites instead of just one (or two) like most other methods.
Unfortunately there are a couple of fish you can't use it on...

 

[kelp47]

The fish have completed 21 days of medication and they look 100% healthy. All visible signs of parasites were gone on day 2, and the darting and roughed up scale were gone by day 10. If nothing reappears, I will consider this a huge success!

Today I transferred them to my second QT (only 5 gal), and they will stay here for one week of observation, while I slowly raise salinity and temperature to match my display. QT is at 1.018 SG and 78 F; display is 1.026 SG and around 83 F.

 

[kelp47]

Just when I thought I was in the clear, I did something stupid (I think that's the current problem)... When I was setting up the second QT, I had unplugged the heater to allow the temp to drop one degree so that both tanks were the same. SG was matched. I transferred the fish and forgot to plug the heater back in. So then the temp dropped from about 78-79 to 75. The tank only has 4 gallons of water in it, so it likely dropped fairly quickly.

When I came home today, I found them just kind of floating around the tank. They are using their fins, but they aren't wagging their bodies to move at all. The larger one is just hanging out in the back corner, and the smaller one is floating around the tank. They don't have a complete lack of control, because they are still upright, but they just drift around (maybe from the current?). Also, they weren't at all interested in the food just now.

I put in a little Stress Relief for good measure, and I plan to adjust the heater just one degree every 2-3 hours to get back to 78.

Are they just shocked from the sudden temperature drop, or does it sound like something else is wrong?

 

[ThRoewer]

That's just a bit over 2°C and shouldn't be enough of an temperature drop to cause them to act stunned - my tank goes through that currently during colder nights and no one is complaining. In the wild fish in atolls, shallows, tidal zones and pools go through more extreme temperature (and salinity) swings and don't die of it.
Also 75F (~24°C) is well within the comfort zone of reef fish.

If they continue like that after a while I would check for ammonia or something else in that direction.

 

[kelp47]

This morning, their swimming seems a little better, but still a bit weak. They still are not interested in eating. It's not ammonia because I moved them into a fresh QT yesterday morning. There was no time for ammonia to build up by the time they started acting this way. I believe the saltwater had aged for at least 24 hours.

I don't think they ever liked this QT when they were going through TTM, because it's only a 5 gallon tank. Could it be that they feel cramped? I took out one of the pvc elbows so it wouldn't seem so small.

 

[kelp47]

Their swimming is much better this evening. They are finally "wagging" again. They still didn't eat, but at this progress, I expect them to be ready to eat again in the morning. I really think they just got stressed out over the move to a smaller tank. They won't know what to do with 75 gallons!

 

[kelp47]

They're eating again this morning, so all is well!

 

[kelp47]

Good news... I moved the clowns into my display Thursday evening, and they seem very happy and healthy! Thank you so much for all of your help!! I hope you know how much I appreciate every piece of advice.

 

[Deinonych]

Great news! Love a happy ending.

 

[ThRoewer]

Looking good. Now they just need an anemone to have the perfect clownfish life...

 

[kelp47]

They have one, they just haven't found it yet. I'm keeping my fingers crossed! It's a bta, so I know it's not a given they'll want to live with it, but at this point in my experience, I decided that was the best route.

 

[ThRoewer]

Give them a flowerpot and put it right next to the BTA. Best is if the BTA's tentacles reach a bit into the pot. That way the chances of them "finding" it increases significantly.