Giving up on clownfish

[jmike50]

I have had three ocellaris in a QT when I noticed one of them had this slimey looking fungus on it and one place on the body was a lighter orange than the rest of the body. There was no white bumps at all on the fish. Treated the QT with some of the API Pimafix for fungual infections. Well now all the little micro bubbles from the airstone are all over the body of the infected fish!? The slimey fungus looking stuff is no longer there just these micro bubbles sticking to his body. All three are active and one out of the two ate this morning. I know these fish are suppose to be hardy but it seems like I can't catch a break with them. All QT water is prefect within parameters. I know one thing if these pass away I will not be getting anymore. I started with 4 in the QT and woke up this morning and was belly up.

Okay tag JennM your it....LOL:yay:

 

[jmike50]

Now he is swimming at the top of the water and his body is vertical? I hink this one is going to be in clown heaven before to long.

 

[jamescook]

If you are killing clownfish you might want to slow down and just get your tank stable. Once your tank is healthy- and this may take many months! clownfish are ideally suited for aquariums.
QT and meds are stressful on any fish.

 

[jmike50]

I have these fish in a QT. They are the only ones in the tank...bare bottom...heater and filter running...no active carbon in the filter. The two that is left now are doing great...swimming together...and both are eating like pigs. The tank that they are going in is nothing but coral and one nem.. and the tank is fully cycled. Thanks for all your help James.

 

[jin_moon]

how big is your tank? 3 clowns, trying to figure out their social order... that can be a lot of aggression. the two might be pairing and the dying one could be the "red headed step-child"?

no offense.

 

[jmike50]

They are in a 10gal QT right now. But when the 30days are up they will be going into a 20gal long that is already est. with just coral, one nem, LR, LS, 3 blue leg hermits, and 3 snails. Let me say it again the two remaining are doing great! and eating and swimming together all over the 10gal bare bottom QT. no offense and none taken.

 

[porpoiseaquatics]

Jin has something there. Clowns can be aggressive toward each other especially if there is a dominant one in the bunch. Just one could have been the culprit that killed off two others leaving only the one they want to "pair" up with. It just recently happened in my holding tank.

 

[jmike50]

I don't know people. these last two seem to be doing fine. Jin and Jeff you may have a point. I just know if anything happens to these two....NO MORE CLOWNS for me!

 

[rdnelson]

2ruble;843930 wrote: that's what they mean about the last two being ok, I believe... is that there may have been battle for dominence, and these two are left... how big are the clowns... I would think four in a 10 might be a bit much depending on the size, and with nothing in the tank (pvc, rock or otherwise) as shelter/hiding places, maybe they just went at each other... a fishy royal rumble, and these were the victors?

I could be completely off... but that's what I would think

+1

Clowns should be singular or in pairs. I also would not go with more than one pair unless I had a very large tank. I am not even willing to risk it in my 6' 125 gal. Some have done it but I believe many have failed trying.


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[jmike50]

2ruble...they were med. size and I did forget to put my pvc in the tank.
rd...I think I am one of the many that failed to try and get two pairs from 4 all at once.

 

[rdnelson]

We all make mistakes. It is one way we learn. But a better way is to ask lots of questions here before acting. Lots of smart people here that will save you lots of headache and money.


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[jmike50]

Rd, I understand......but when I GET rich and famous I am going to James Cook and get me a pair of those ARCF...American Registered Clownfish...with registeration papers.....LOL

 

[rdnelson]

Yup, James is proof that I can be done and I have seen lots of others do it as well. But it sure helps if you have a lot more experience in this hobby than I do. .


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[acroholic]

I've had three regular Perculas in my 100 gallon reef for over three years, and they all get along. This in response to that they need to be kept singly or in pairs. Maybe mine are an exception to the rule?

 

[rdnelson]

Acroholic;843995 wrote: I've had three regular Perculas in my 100 gallon reef for over three years, and they all get along. This in response to that they need to be kept singly or in pairs. Maybe mine are an exception to the rule?

How long have you been doing this??? . I rest my case. (Sinker)


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[jennm]

It's unusual in a small system for more than 2 to get along. As juveniles they might, but one becomes dominant, chooses a mate and the "third wheel" usually gets picked to death.

Pimafix = junk.

You're dealing (most likely) with Brooklynella, which is a protozoan, not a "fungus". Fungus is rare in saltwater.

What you need is a formalin-based medicine (Formalin 3 if you can find it) or Hikari Ich-X which is a formalin-based medicine. Nothing else that I've tried, addresses it.

Jenn

Edit:

jmike50;843883 wrote:
Okay tag JennM your it....LOL:yay:

LOL I just saw this AFTER the fact. :lol:

 

[jmike50]

Acroholic....you are anexception...lol

Jenn...Thank you...I had a feeling that this maybe Brooklynella...but I had read that this disease is rare in tank raised clownfish..only wild caught ones. I know where I can get the Hikari and will get a bottle tomorrow just incase it rears its ulgy head with these two remaining clowns. They are eating good, swimming together and when I come up to the tank they come running...lol...use to me now.

 

[jennm]

Tank raised and wild caught are equally prone to it, IMO. Tank raised aren't likely to encounter it... UNTIL they are mingled with wild caught fish. Any fish can get it, or carry it (without symptoms).

Jenn

 

[jmike50]

Okay to everyone that has been helping me with this problem...UPDATE....both the surving Ocellaris clowns made it through the night and are still doing GREAT. Showing no signs thus far of disease. Eating and swimming great. Thanks for supporting a worrying father of teo clownfish...LOL

 

[rdnelson]

Glad to hear it.


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