clownfish not doing too well

rbennett15 · 08/26/2011, 11:38 AM

this morning i found my clown laying between some rocks and berthing heavily, when i got back after class i noticed few white spot on him i don't know exactly what it is or what to go about in order to eradicate it

theres a few white spots hardly visible in the picture between the second and third stripes on the lower half of the body, also more on his fins and dorsal area

Saadatski · 08/26/2011, 11:51 AM

looks like a bacterial infection bro. Get it into a hospitale tank ASAP. i lost my first clown to an infection. treat it accordingly and fast. go and also get brine shrimp so it can actually eat.

check out the fish disease forum after you put it in another tank.

rbennett15 · 08/26/2011, 11:54 AM

thanks for the help.. ill try to get a closer better picture too if i can get him out in the open

Saadatski · 08/26/2011, 11:56 AM

dont wait for it to come out. grab it gently with your hands and get it into the tank quick. my clown died only 2 hours after i found it on the bottom of the tank.

rbennett15 · 08/26/2011, 11:58 AM

okay I'm new to this how do i set up a hospital tank, and what do it need?

Saadatski · 08/26/2011, 12:06 PM

alright, cause bacterial infections kill quick, take a normal bucket that you use for water changes and put in a powerhead like a naxi-jet and a heater. fill it up as much as you can with water from your main tank. now, run to the LFS, and buy medicine for bacterial infections, and cuppermine just in case its ich. also, run to the pharmacy and ask them for formaline. then go to the fish disease forum and treat accordingly.

tommorrow, go to petsmart or something and buy a 10g tank and a extra heater and put him in there. DO NOT put any rocks or sand in that tank. just a heater and a powerhead. fill it up as much as you can of fresh saltwater, and then wait until the temp is right in the new tank, and put him in there. change 10% of the water (1g) every 2 days, and treat him.

Good luck my friend, i hope i helped. i know how it feels to have a sick fish.

MrTuskfish · 08/26/2011, 12:16 PM

I think this is quite likely brooklynella (clownfish disease). Impossible to tell from the pic, but all the symptoms are there. If it is, it is very contagious, fast spreading, and deadly and not limited to clowns. Google Brooklynella and images and see if that makes sense.

Percula9 · 08/26/2011, 12:34 PM

If it is clown fish disease, copper will not work. The fish needs to be quarantined and treated with a formalin based medication. This should be done fast as brooklynella kills fast.

Uncle Salty 05 · 08/26/2011, 01:06 PM

http://www.fishvet.com/Brooklynella.htm
A freshwater bath is the quickest way to relieve the fish.

snorvich · 08/26/2011, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrTuskfish

I think this is quite likely brooklynella (clownfish disease). Impossible to tell from the pic, but all the symptoms are there. If it is, it is very contagious, fast spreading, and deadly and not limited to clowns. Google Brooklynella and images and see if that makes sense.

That is my suspicion as well. The fish disease forum or my blog has useful information.

DRSHARE · 08/26/2011, 01:08 PM

I had the same thing happen and it didn't have a positive outcome but you have gotten some good advise here so good luck and we will keep our fingers crossed

sandwi54 · 08/26/2011, 01:15 PM

It looks like brooklynella that clownfish are very susceptible to. It kills fast and you have to act immediately. Formalin is the proper treatment for this disease. you may buy either Rid-ich+ from Kordon at any Petsmart or Quick Cure from Aquarium Product. For Quick Cure you may have to go to a LFS.

MrTuskfish · 08/26/2011, 01:23 PM

Assuming it is brooklynella, I agree with both Percula9 and Uncle Salty above. A FW bath (match temp & PH) may provide some temporary relief and buy some time (vital with this stuff). The only known cure is Formalin (formaldehyde), or one of the meds that contain 37% formalin. Most states let lfs sell it.

Snorvich' s blog is required reading for any hobbyist (IMO) and will help a lot.

Should you lose this fish, stay with us, I'm afraid your other fish are going to need help too. Don't attempt to keep this fish in a bucket, start with at least a 10 gal tank. Wal-Mart will have an inexpensive heater & tank, if that's a concern. But, you'll need the formalin from the LFS(its cheap) even if you lose this fish.

rbennett15 · 08/26/2011, 02:43 PM

i couldn't find formalin at either Petco or Petsmart or my LFS but right now he is in a 10 gallon without a heater.. but the temp reading is at 83 degrees and salinity is 1.014.. breathing hard and is on side on the bottom of the tank

Saadatski · 08/26/2011, 02:56 PM

formalin is found at any pharmacy.

Formalin is rather dangerous though, so be careful when you handle it. Worry about your own safety first then the fish's.

rbennett15 · 08/26/2011, 02:58 PM

I looked at the local cvs and they said they didn't carry it but I'll try others later

MrTuskfish · 08/27/2011, 09:23 AM

I know some states restrict formalin sales. F&S has it, but you don't have time to wait. There is an ich "remedy" that doesn't work on ich, that has formalin. I think the brand is Rid-Ich+ and its available in most LFS. There was a thread a while back from someone who couldn't find formalin and used this stuff.

AquaReeferMan · 08/27/2011, 09:55 AM

Correct, Rid-Ich+ contains formalin and malachite green.

lordofthereef · 08/27/2011, 12:48 PM

I may have missed this. How long have you had the fish. AND... have you introduced any other fish in to the tank recently?

Jeremy Blaze · 08/27/2011, 01:55 PM

And, how long has the tank been set up?

C0rp · 08/27/2011, 02:39 PM

By the looks of the rocks, the tank looks fairly new

08/26/2011, 11:38 AM	#1
rbennett15 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Waco, TX Posts: 160	clownfish not doing too well this morning i found my clown laying between some rocks and berthing heavily, when i got back after class i noticed few white spot on him i don't know exactly what it is or what to go about in order to eradicate it theres a few white spots hardly visible in the picture between the second and third stripes on the lower half of the body, also more on his fins and dorsal area

08/26/2011, 11:51 AM	#2
Saadatski Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 875	looks like a bacterial infection bro. Get it into a hospitale tank ASAP. i lost my first clown to an infection. treat it accordingly and fast. go and also get brine shrimp so it can actually eat. check out the fish disease forum after you put it in another tank. __________________ 75 gallon FOWLR for now- 2x250w MH Current USA Outer Orbit with T5 actinic, Vortech MP40

08/26/2011, 11:56 AM	#4
Saadatski Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 875	dont wait for it to come out. grab it gently with your hands and get it into the tank quick. my clown died only 2 hours after i found it on the bottom of the tank. __________________ 75 gallon FOWLR for now- 2x250w MH Current USA Outer Orbit with T5 actinic, Vortech MP40

08/26/2011, 12:06 PM	#6
Saadatski Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 875	alright, cause bacterial infections kill quick, take a normal bucket that you use for water changes and put in a powerhead like a naxi-jet and a heater. fill it up as much as you can with water from your main tank. now, run to the LFS, and buy medicine for bacterial infections, and cuppermine just in case its ich. also, run to the pharmacy and ask them for formaline. then go to the fish disease forum and treat accordingly. tommorrow, go to petsmart or something and buy a 10g tank and a extra heater and put him in there. DO NOT put any rocks or sand in that tank. just a heater and a powerhead. fill it up as much as you can of fresh saltwater, and then wait until the temp is right in the new tank, and put him in there. change 10% of the water (1g) every 2 days, and treat him. Good luck my friend, i hope i helped. i know how it feels to have a sick fish. __________________ 75 gallon FOWLR for now- 2x250w MH Current USA Outer Orbit with T5 actinic, Vortech MP40

08/26/2011, 12:16 PM	#7
MrTuskfish Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: The Wild Blue Yonder Posts: 8,887	I think this is quite likely brooklynella (clownfish disease). Impossible to tell from the pic, but all the symptoms are there. If it is, it is very contagious, fast spreading, and deadly and not limited to clowns. Google Brooklynella and images and see if that makes sense. __________________ If God didn't want us to eat animals, he wouldn't have made them out of meat. Steve Current Tank Info: 180, 2-240 FOWLRs, 240 reef

08/26/2011, 11:54 AM	#3
rbennett15 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Waco, TX Posts: 160	thanks for the help.. ill try to get a closer better picture too if i can get him out in the open

08/26/2011, 11:58 AM	#5
rbennett15 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Waco, TX Posts: 160	okay I'm new to this how do i set up a hospital tank, and what do it need?

08/26/2011, 12:34 PM	#8
Percula9 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Orange County CA Posts: 3,819	If it is clown fish disease, copper will not work. The fish needs to be quarantined and treated with a formalin based medication. This should be done fast as brooklynella kills fast.

08/26/2011, 01:06 PM	#9
Uncle Salty 05 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: South Florida Posts: 3,799	http://www.fishvet.com/Brooklynella.htm A freshwater bath is the quickest way to relieve the fish. __________________ In all that I endure, of one thing I am sure. Knowledge and reason, change like the season. A jester's promenade. - Kerry Livgren Current Tank Info: 180 gal reef tank with dual attached refugiums 20 long and 10 gallon. Plus 55 gallon True Percula breeding tank.

08/26/2011, 01:08 PM	#11
DRSHARE Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 65	I had the same thing happen and it didn't have a positive outcome but you have gotten some good advise here so good luck and we will keep our fingers crossed

08/26/2011, 01:15 PM	#12
sandwi54 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 2,332	It looks like brooklynella that clownfish are very susceptible to. It kills fast and you have to act immediately. Formalin is the proper treatment for this disease. you may buy either Rid-ich+ from Kordon at any Petsmart or Quick Cure from Aquarium Product. For Quick Cure you may have to go to a LFS.

08/26/2011, 01:23 PM	#13
MrTuskfish Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: The Wild Blue Yonder Posts: 8,887	Assuming it is brooklynella, I agree with both Percula9 and Uncle Salty above. A FW bath (match temp & PH) may provide some temporary relief and buy some time (vital with this stuff). The only known cure is Formalin (formaldehyde), or one of the meds that contain 37% formalin. Most states let lfs sell it. Snorvich' s blog is required reading for any hobbyist (IMO) and will help a lot. Should you lose this fish, stay with us, I'm afraid your other fish are going to need help too. Don't attempt to keep this fish in a bucket, start with at least a 10 gal tank. Wal-Mart will have an inexpensive heater & tank, if that's a concern. But, you'll need the formalin from the LFS(its cheap) even if you lose this fish. __________________ If God didn't want us to eat animals, he wouldn't have made them out of meat. Steve Current Tank Info: 180, 2-240 FOWLRs, 240 reef

08/26/2011, 02:43 PM	#14
rbennett15 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Waco, TX Posts: 160	i couldn't find formalin at either Petco or Petsmart or my LFS but right now he is in a 10 gallon without a heater.. but the temp reading is at 83 degrees and salinity is 1.014.. breathing hard and is on side on the bottom of the tank

08/26/2011, 02:56 PM	#15
Saadatski Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 875	formalin is found at any pharmacy. Formalin is rather dangerous though, so be careful when you handle it. Worry about your own safety first then the fish's. __________________ 75 gallon FOWLR for now- 2x250w MH Current USA Outer Orbit with T5 actinic, Vortech MP40

08/26/2011, 02:58 PM	#16
rbennett15 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Waco, TX Posts: 160	I looked at the local cvs and they said they didn't carry it but I'll try others later

08/27/2011, 09:23 AM	#17
MrTuskfish Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: The Wild Blue Yonder Posts: 8,887	I know some states restrict formalin sales. F&S has it, but you don't have time to wait. There is an ich "remedy" that doesn't work on ich, that has formalin. I think the brand is Rid-Ich+ and its available in most LFS. There was a thread a while back from someone who couldn't find formalin and used this stuff. __________________ If God didn't want us to eat animals, he wouldn't have made them out of meat. Steve Current Tank Info: 180, 2-240 FOWLRs, 240 reef

08/27/2011, 09:55 AM	#18
AquaReeferMan Got Reef? Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Under the Sea, Pa Posts: 4,593	Correct, Rid-Ich+ contains formalin and malachite green. __________________ Couple SPS/Zoanthid tanks and a couple of FW planted tanks. Current Tank Info: 5 pieces of glass with some silicone and plastic frames holding them together

08/27/2011, 12:48 PM	#19
lordofthereef One reef to rule them all Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Leominster, MA Posts: 5,299	I may have missed this. How long have you had the fish. AND... have you introduced any other fish in to the tank recently? __________________ "A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself" ~ Josh Billings Visit My Home page for current build thread (click my user name and select "Visit LordoftheReef's Homepage" in the drop down menu!

08/27/2011, 01:55 PM	#20
Jeremy Blaze Former Reef Addict Join Date: May 2003 Location: New Washington, IN Posts: 5,864	And, how long has the tank been set up? __________________ Trust me my friend, the names are not important at all. I've own hundreds of different zoas and palys and don't know the name of a single one. In my opinion, they are a waste of valuable time. Mucho Reef

08/27/2011, 02:39 PM	#21
C0rp Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: West Lafayette, IN Posts: 431	By the looks of the rocks, the tank looks fairly new __________________ 75RR, 4" DSB, 29G AE Tech Sump/fuge/ETSS skimmer w Mag9.5, Mag5 Return, RKE w Net, Tunze Osmolator, Tradewind 1/5HP Chiller, 6x54 ATI T5HO, Vortech MP40WES/MP10WES w/Battery Backup, Sarcophyton, Clavularia, Capnella, Briareum, Lobophytum, Nepthea, Sinularia Flexibilis, Ricordia, Discosoma, Rhodactis, Zoanthus, Caulastrea, Blastomussa Wellsi, Isaurus Tuberculatus, Seriatopora Hystrix, Plerogyra Sinuosa, Euphyllia Paradivisia, Tubipora Musica, Ecsenius Midas, Paracheilinus Carpenteri Current Tank Info: pH 8.0-8.2, Temp 78-80, Salinity 1.026, Alk 9dKH, Ca 400, Red Sea Coral Pro Salt

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