Clownfish behaving erratically - please help!

Michelleleighx · 01/14/2017, 06:39 PM

I've had this particular tank set up for about a year. It's a 55 gallon with 10 gallon sump. Inhabitants include 2 clownfish (approx 1" & 1.5"), a scooter blenny, a chocolate chip star, a 6" chain link moray eel, a 3.5" yellow tang, a 3" bicolor angel.

First, the clowns have been in the tank for 6+ months with no problems; always very close to each other, dancing, very happy little fish. ive never seen any of the fish show ANY aggression towards either clownfish. I saw both clownfish as usual yesterday afternoon for feeding.

This afternoon I suddenly noticed the larger of the clowns was not visible (which is VERY unusual for either of the clowns). I looked from all angels around the tank, and finally saw her under a rock formation, swimming strangely, acting as if she were stuck. I gently pulled her the rocks away from her and guided her out of the rocks, and she suddenly started barrel rolling as if she could not control her swimming.

I quickly and gently caught her, and bagged her to examine-- she has a visible "scuff" on top of her head where she presumably hit a rock? Unsure what to do, I've put her in a pvc breeder box and dimmed the lights, but she has literally been barrel rolling for 3+ hours.

Is she a goner or should I just give it time? Any ideas if a bump on the head could be causing this? Any help is appreciated.

j_mazzy · 01/14/2017, 07:21 PM

watch and wait.

Michelleleighx · 01/14/2017, 07:42 PM

Thanks, I've been searching forums and haven't seen anything similar yet. I'm pretty worried about her ��

Here's a video of her spinning: https://youtu.be/FyHLLXIEYhY

Michelleleighx · 01/21/2017, 05:45 PM

She passed after several days. Retested water and parameters were normal, and all other fish/invertebrates are acting and eating normally, so I assume the visible injury on the head of the poor clown was to blame ��

OrionN · 01/21/2017, 09:48 PM

There isn't a whole lot you can do. It look like some sort of brain injury or infection

OurCoralReef · 01/26/2017, 10:12 AM

Could be Swim bladder disease
Could also be the way you are feeding how do you feed your tank does the food float

01/14/2017, 06:39 PM	#1
Michelleleighx Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Posts: 7	Clownfish behaving erratically - please help! I've had this particular tank set up for about a year. It's a 55 gallon with 10 gallon sump. Inhabitants include 2 clownfish (approx 1" & 1.5"), a scooter blenny, a chocolate chip star, a 6" chain link moray eel, a 3.5" yellow tang, a 3" bicolor angel. First, the clowns have been in the tank for 6+ months with no problems; always very close to each other, dancing, very happy little fish. ive never seen any of the fish show ANY aggression towards either clownfish. I saw both clownfish as usual yesterday afternoon for feeding. This afternoon I suddenly noticed the larger of the clowns was not visible (which is VERY unusual for either of the clowns). I looked from all angels around the tank, and finally saw her under a rock formation, swimming strangely, acting as if she were stuck. I gently pulled her the rocks away from her and guided her out of the rocks, and she suddenly started barrel rolling as if she could not control her swimming. I quickly and gently caught her, and bagged her to examine-- she has a visible "scuff" on top of her head where she presumably hit a rock? Unsure what to do, I've put her in a pvc breeder box and dimmed the lights, but she has literally been barrel rolling for 3+ hours. Is she a goner or should I just give it time? Any ideas if a bump on the head could be causing this? Any help is appreciated.

01/21/2017, 09:48 PM	#5
OrionN Moved on Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Coastal Texas Posts: 16,000	There isn't a whole lot you can do. It look like some sort of brain injury or infection __________________ Minh My homepage is my album here at Reef Central Current Tank Info: Reboot 320 anemones reef. Angels: Yellow Chest Regal(2), Flame (2). Copperband But. Tangs: Yellow, Purple. Wrasse: about 20 wrasses various species. Anemones: Giantea X4 (Breen, Blue, Purple and Multicolors), Haddoni X1 Red, Magnifica X1 Purpletip

01/14/2017, 07:21 PM	#2
j_mazzy Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: about an hour from charlotte Posts: 622	watch and wait.

01/14/2017, 07:42 PM	#3
Michelleleighx Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Posts: 7	Thanks, I've been searching forums and haven't seen anything similar yet. I'm pretty worried about her �� Here's a video of her spinning: https://youtu.be/FyHLLXIEYhY

01/21/2017, 05:45 PM	#4
Michelleleighx Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Posts: 7	She passed after several days. Retested water and parameters were normal, and all other fish/invertebrates are acting and eating normally, so I assume the visible injury on the head of the poor clown was to blame ��

01/26/2017, 10:12 AM	#6
OurCoralReef In Memoriam Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: NY Posts: 363	Could be Swim bladder disease Could also be the way you are feeding how do you feed your tank does the food float