Clownfish Erratic behavior while in Quarantine (Hyposalinty)

R. Rinaldi · 04/13/2006, 06:58 PM

I posted this in the Clownfish Fourm but it didn't get too much play:

I recently bought two Ocellaris (1.5") for my 75g reef, which has been running with live rock / live sand only (no fish, no corals) for about 18 months after a move to a new house. These two new clowns developed Ick within a day or two and one died after about four days. The survivor seemed to recover and the white spots disappeared and have not re-appeared for at least ten (10 days).

This clown is now in a 10g quarantine tank undergoing hyposalinity. Specific gravity was lowered to 1.010 over about five days. Temperature is 78.

Here are the current symptoms: White spots are gone, but his color is darker - It looks like he has black soot all over him, especially on his back near dorsal fin. Occasional nibbles, but for the most part a lack of appetite. Heavy breathing and his swim patterns are very erratic, almost psychotic with lots of darting. No scratching symptoms.

Looking for explanation:
Ich?
Hyposalinty effects?
Ammonia? Nitrite? in quarantine tank?
He doesn't like me peering in at him?

Any thoughts?

kraze3 · 04/13/2006, 07:13 PM

Here is a link on Black Ich
http://www.petsforum.com/personal/tr.../blackich.html

Here's some pics of diseased fish...
http://www.saltwaterfish.com/vb/showthread.php?t=127010

Also check all parameters especially ammonia. when my CB was in a hospital tank the ammonia spiked it was a pain in the arse, She did hate when i cam near the tank though so that may be a common thing

leebca · 04/15/2006, 08:15 AM

Fish (especially new ones) don't like being looked at. In their world, they survive by being aware of when a potential predator has seen them. In this case, they take no chances and either hide or prepare themselves for a defense. Look at your fish from the corner of your eye. Act like you're not even looking at it! Sounds crazy, but it has worked.

People wonder sometimes why their fish won't eat. It's because when it is feeding time they stare at the fish, sending it into one of the above two mentioned modes. If you 'ignore' the fish, it will sometimes relax and investigate new foods.

When it does eat, make sure you are feeding it properly AND with supplements mentioned in this post:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...hreadid=785228
Make sure to include the beta glucan during its recovery.

Hyposalinity in a small volume tank makes it hard to control water quality. That is most likely contributing to the fish's problems. Check water twice a day for pH, salinity, and temperature and hold it steady. If you find ammonia or nitrite, do large water changes with water properly mixed and 'matched.'

Follow the links given by kraze3. If you are sure it isn't Black Ich, then post a photo for us to see what it looks like and someone here will try to help more. (You think the fish doesn't like you looking at it, wait until you point a camera at it!)

Good luck!

R. Rinaldi · 04/19/2006, 08:12 PM

Leebca, Kraze 3 - Thanks

Based on the pictures, I doubt that it is Black Ich. She has more of a darker, "sooty" discoloration.

She has classic Ich symptoms as described as in the Bartelme article (part 2) referenced in this Forum. The white spots are gone, the erractic behavior is mostly gone, and the rapid breathing is decreased. But lack of appetite continues and she generally looks worse as she is thinning out. Hyposalinty is at ten days, hovering at or below 1.010, 78F, and PH at about 8.2.

To top it off, her lower lip is damaged (white) as I think the other clown in treatment is using this opportunity to claim dominance. She also has three pin holes in a triangle shape on her forehead.

Any thoughts on the pin holes?

kraze3 · 04/19/2006, 09:19 PM

Any way you can get a picture?

leebca · 04/20/2006, 06:04 AM

Separate this fish from the other fishes. I know it means another QT.

For the separated fish:
I would put vitamins in the water (Vita-Chem is good for this). I would add to the water Maracyn Two for Saltwater fish in the recommended initial dose, then cut the subsequent doses in half.

Then, like kraze3 says, we need a photo pretty soon.

04/13/2006, 06:58 PM	#1
R. Rinaldi Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 33	Clownfish Erratic behavior while in Quarantine (Hyposalinty) I posted this in the Clownfish Fourm but it didn't get too much play: I recently bought two Ocellaris (1.5") for my 75g reef, which has been running with live rock / live sand only (no fish, no corals) for about 18 months after a move to a new house. These two new clowns developed Ick within a day or two and one died after about four days. The survivor seemed to recover and the white spots disappeared and have not re-appeared for at least ten (10 days). This clown is now in a 10g quarantine tank undergoing hyposalinity. Specific gravity was lowered to 1.010 over about five days. Temperature is 78. Here are the current symptoms: White spots are gone, but his color is darker - It looks like he has black soot all over him, especially on his back near dorsal fin. Occasional nibbles, but for the most part a lack of appetite. Heavy breathing and his swim patterns are very erratic, almost psychotic with lots of darting. No scratching symptoms. Looking for explanation: Ich? Hyposalinty effects? Ammonia? Nitrite? in quarantine tank? He doesn't like me peering in at him? Any thoughts?

04/13/2006, 07:13 PM	#2
kraze3 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: RI Posts: 2,374	Here is a link on Black Ich http://www.petsforum.com/personal/tr.../blackich.html Here's some pics of diseased fish... http://www.saltwaterfish.com/vb/showthread.php?t=127010 Also check all parameters especially ammonia. when my CB was in a hospital tank the ammonia spiked it was a pain in the arse, She did hate when i cam near the tank though so that may be a common thing

04/15/2006, 08:15 AM	#3
leebca Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: So. CA Posts: 2,903	Fish (especially new ones) don't like being looked at. In their world, they survive by being aware of when a potential predator has seen them. In this case, they take no chances and either hide or prepare themselves for a defense. Look at your fish from the corner of your eye. Act like you're not even looking at it! Sounds crazy, but it has worked. People wonder sometimes why their fish won't eat. It's because when it is feeding time they stare at the fish, sending it into one of the above two mentioned modes. If you 'ignore' the fish, it will sometimes relax and investigate new foods. When it does eat, make sure you are feeding it properly AND with supplements mentioned in this post: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...hreadid=785228 Make sure to include the beta glucan during its recovery. Hyposalinity in a small volume tank makes it hard to control water quality. That is most likely contributing to the fish's problems. Check water twice a day for pH, salinity, and temperature and hold it steady. If you find ammonia or nitrite, do large water changes with water properly mixed and 'matched.' Follow the links given by kraze3. If you are sure it isn't Black Ich, then post a photo for us to see what it looks like and someone here will try to help more. (You think the fish doesn't like you looking at it, wait until you point a camera at it!) Good luck!

04/19/2006, 08:12 PM	#4
R. Rinaldi Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Virginia Posts: 33	Leebca, Kraze 3 - Thanks Based on the pictures, I doubt that it is Black Ich. She has more of a darker, "sooty" discoloration. She has classic Ich symptoms as described as in the Bartelme article (part 2) referenced in this Forum. The white spots are gone, the erractic behavior is mostly gone, and the rapid breathing is decreased. But lack of appetite continues and she generally looks worse as she is thinning out. Hyposalinty is at ten days, hovering at or below 1.010, 78F, and PH at about 8.2. To top it off, her lower lip is damaged (white) as I think the other clown in treatment is using this opportunity to claim dominance. She also has three pin holes in a triangle shape on her forehead. Any thoughts on the pin holes?

04/19/2006, 09:19 PM	#5
kraze3 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: RI Posts: 2,374	Any way you can get a picture?

04/20/2006, 06:04 AM	#6
leebca Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: So. CA Posts: 2,903	Separate this fish from the other fishes. I know it means another QT. For the separated fish: I would put vitamins in the water (Vita-Chem is good for this). I would add to the water Maracyn Two for Saltwater fish in the recommended initial dose, then cut the subsequent doses in half. Then, like kraze3 says, we need a photo pretty soon.