Need clown help!!!

[Ayesha97]

I went away for the long weekend (had a friend feed my clowns every other day) and have found that one of my clowns is struggling to swim!!! He keeps swimming in a vertical position. His color seems a bit off too. I'm not quite sure what is wrong. I just checked all of the water parms and everything is doing okay (NO3- is a little high at 20 ppm but everythign else is normal). His buddy seems to be doing okay, just slightly lighter shade of orange... but overall acting normal.
I've had these guys for almost 3 weeks. Up to this point they have been swimming actively and eating with vigor. *very worried*
Any ideas what is plaguing my little guy??? Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!!!!

 

[dralarms]

I have a tomato clown doning the same thing right now, been doing it for somewhere around a week. I wish I knew so I could help you.

 

[steve-s]

Could be a problem with the swim bladder or some type of bacterial infection. Depending on the species of clown, it could be nothing. Although it's more normal for fish to swim horizontally, percs and ocellaris have a very clumbsy way about them.

Depending on what you feed the clown it could be simple blockage interfering with the normal operation of the swim bladder. Mixing some softened mashed peas in with it's food should clear that up if so. It will primarily be caused from feeding too much meaty foods and is somewhat common in clowns.

Cheers
Steve

 

[dralarms]

Thanks I'll try that.

 

[Ayesha97]

My clowns are false percs/oscillaris (ack! spelling, sorry!).

I have been feeding Nutrafin max, marine complete food (sinking pellets) http://hagenpet.com/uk/aquatic/nutrafinmax/marine.cfm at bottom of this page. Would I mix up mashed peas with the small pellets? or should I be suplimenting their diet with something else? Before this weekend they were eating this stuff like crazy! What is it about the peas that will help aid in their digestion? Fiber?

What should I be on the lookout for if there is a possible bacteria infection? What kind of steps would have to be taken?

Thanks for your help.

(justmy2cents good luck!!!)

 

[dralarms]

Thank's you too. I would get some Seachem "Garlic Guard". My tomato was eating very little, and then I put some flakes in the tank with this stuff on it and he was trying to take it off the straw I was using. Maybe he just needed a little pick me up. LOL Geritol for fish.

 

[steve-s]

I have been feeding Nutrafin max, marine complete food (sinking pellets) http://hagenpet.com/uk/aquatic/nutrafinmax/marine.cfm at bottom of this page. Would I mix up mashed peas with the small pellets? or should I be suplimenting their diet with something else?

Actually that's not too bad although I have never tried their product. Not a fan of buying from FW specialists. The color of the fish should tell you if the foods you are feeding are doing the job. Lethargic activity or dull coloration is usually a sign the diet is not up to par. Personal preference for dry foods is OSI, HBH or Ocean Nutrition. I would also suggest mysis once or twice a week. Very high in fatty acids. It is a good way of introducing extra vitamins to their diet with Selcon, Zoe or Zoecon.

Before this weekend they were eating this stuff like crazy! What is it about the peas that will help aid in their digestion? Fiber?

Pretty much, lets just say it will help "grease" the wheels. As far as using the peas are concerned, mashing them with a meaty type food would be easier than flake, less mess.

What should I be on the lookout for if there is a possible bacteria infection? What kind of steps would have to be taken?

Internal infections are the hardest to spot and not so easy treat. Generally speaking there could be bloating, runny or white feces, uncontrollable swimming, whirling and/or bumping into objects.

If bacterial you will need to QT the fish and treat with an antibiotic. Furacyn (Nitrofurazone) would be my recommendation. 30 mg/gal for 3-5 days. If that's not available, Maracyn II at double the dosage every day for 7 days.

Starting with the peas and also evaluating the nutrition of the foods would be a good place to start. If that does not work or the problem progresses, you can move on from there.

Cheers
Steve

 

[Ayesha97]

Just a quick update...
I got my clowns some peas and can't believe how crazy they went over them!!! They were fighting each other them! They are both swimming normally and doing just fine.
Do you think that they were swimming funny do to too much food/tummy problems??? I've been trying to feed them every other day and they seem to be doing better. Please let me know now if this will in any way hurt my fish (ie keep them at the point of constant hunger).
Thanks again for you help and advice Steve.

Justmy2cents... how are your clowns doing?

 

[dralarms]

Mines still acting flakey but I think he is trying to get sympathy from me. I can watch him when he can't see me and he is fine but when I walk into viewing range he starts swimming funny again.

 

[steve-s]

Glad everything worked out

Do you think that they were swimming funny do to too much food/tummy problems???

It's actually more common than you might think. When fish are fed primarily meat diets it can become a problem. The fish basically doesn't have the roughage to keep things moving so to speak. The blockage creates pressure on the swim bladder making it difficult for the fish to swim properly.

I've been trying to feed them every other day and they seem to be doing better. Please let me know now if this will in any way hurt my fish (ie keep them at the point of constant hunger)

Peas are pretty much the best thing when there is this kind of problem. It doesn't need to be every other day but you won't hurt the fish at all feeding the peas. They are very high in vitamins and usuable protein. No matter the species, it's always good to be sure the fish gets a well rounded diet. If you where to make your own blender mush and incorporate a good marine vitamin and nori or other source of spurlina algae, it might be a little less mess than preparing the peas.

Cheers
Steve