Trying to figure out if clownfish needs meds

[jaidexl]

I could use some help on a few Qs, google is starting to confuse me with too much info.

My g/f brought home a small clownfish two days ago, drip acclimated him for 3 hours. He seems to have what looks like slime disease now, white-ish film sluffing off of a fin, gills and behind an eye. Water parameters are amm 0 / ni 0 / na 10, salinity is a bit high at 1.026 according to a cheap but consistent hydrometer. Dorsal and pelvic fins are clamped, breathing seems a bit overly energetic although I am new to clownfish, he's still dodging for floating pods and plankton.

Q#1: I read that clowns will produce slime as they sting themselves on anemones to build resistance, can they do this on a stick polyp? The clamped fins lead me to believe the problem is beyond that.

Q#2: I have read many treatments for slime disease, anyone have a solid answer as to what to use that won't harm sexy shrimp or polyps?

Q#3: I have some Maracyn and Maracyn2 left over from treating an otocinclus for septicemia. Could these be effective in SW for slime disease and will they harm polyps or shrimp? (I know FW snails and nitrifyers are OK with it).

 

[Angela Short]

Never heard of SW slime disease but it sounds like classic symtoms of Brook. Especially if he was wild caught. It is so common in clownfish its also refered to as clownfish disease. Try this link for some more info and treatment....good luck!

http://www.petsforum.com/personal/trevor-jones/brooklynella.html

 

[Angela Short]

And here is a link to the proper way to do a formalin bath....
http://216.168.47.67/cis-fishnet/seascope/99SS1601.htm

I have done many formalin baths with no problems at all. I always did areate it well first.

Clownfish can get hypermelinazation (dark/black spots) when they first start hosting something with a strong sting but profuse amounts of body slime should not happen and especially from a single polyp.

 

[Angela Short]

ANd another good link with lots of pics of diseases, brook is one of the first ones listed... I am done with my links now

http://www.saltwaterfish.com/vb/showthread.php?t=127010

 

[jaidexl]

Thank you Angela. That's one thing I wasn't sure of, whether slime disease is present in SW. So, I suppose I will be preparing a hospital afterall if I choose to do the dip. Thanks again.

 

[jaidexl]

Well, the pics in your link proved your diagnosis right as far as I can tell. All done with a 50 minute bath in a 250-ish ppm solution (18 drops/1gl). Little guy is acting better already. He's now back in the tank with more energy, still hanging at the surface but I'm sure his little gills were on the verge of total shut down, I could see him going down hill fast before treatment started, I hope he pulls through.

Thanks again for the suggestion and all the links, Angela. When you've done formalin baths, did you proceed with the every other day treatments also?

 

[Angela Short]

Yes I did every other day like outlined and if you don't already have a way to hyperoxgenate the water (skimmer) I would add a air stone for now to help him breath easier.Thats why he is hanging at the top. Also if he is in a QT drop the salinity down so he doesn't have to work so hard to purge the salt from his system. Just keep a eye on the PH if you do, it can fall fast when lowering SG. You can lower it a dad in the display if you normally run it around 1.025 down to 1.022ish with no harm to your few polyps. Oh and per your first post do not put those meds in the main tank Glad to hear he is doing better!! Hate to see little guys suffer . LMK how he does!

 

[TerryB]

The cause of death in brooklynosis is actually osmotic imbalance. The fish lose the ability to osmoregulate (maintain internal salt to water balance). Hyposalinity does not cure brooklynella, but it does counteract osmotic dysfunction and help the fish. Formalin dips are the best treatment. Combine that with keeping the fish in hyposalinity between dips. Probably best to dip every third day for a total of three treatments.

Terry B