Sick Fish (Parasites?)

[jokway]

I've got three fish: two are Clowns, one's a Hippo Tang. Yes... for the kiddies!

Anyway, about 2 months ago, they started acting funny, never swimming up to the the surface for food, and always staying in one general area. Now, they look awful. They stay close to the floor bed, barely swimming. The Tang in particular has become very pale, and one of the Clowns cannot close her mouth. Her gills, as well as the other Clown's gills are visibly moving very fast.

I've used a chemical to clear parasites for the past month. It's had very little to know effect. What's wrong with my fish?

I checked the Amonia, PH, Nitrate and all that about a week and a half ago. Everything is perfect.

This December, the tank is 4 months old, but actually, all of the rocks, sand and the two clown fish in particular are at least 5 years old, because I bought them from someone.

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

What is your oxygen level in the tank? Got pics?

 

[jokway]

hmm, there's something i did not check. What do i use to check that, and is that a possible cause? i'm starting to think so.

 

[Awibrandy]

There are test kits out there for testing oxygen levels. Sorry can't be of more help without some more info on your setup.

Can you please tell us more about the set up specifically what water movement, and filtration do you have?

 

[cthoughts1]

Not sure what the problem is, but you may want to start off by doing a 15% water change and adding some more circulation. Dip the food in some garlic before you feed them and see where that leads you.. Pictures may b e helpful and some more details on your filtration, etc would help as well..

 

[crxin]

when you look at them, do they have small white spots on them? like everyone is saying it could be a bunch of different things, but my fish did that exact same thing when they came down with ick. Do some research on ick, at first in early stages it attacks the fish's breathing slowly. They usually have ick for a couple of days before actually showing severe signs. Have you added anything lately to the tank? Where did you get the fish from when you bought them?

 

[KathyC]

Do you have any pics you can post of the fish now?
Also, tell us more about the set up ..skimmer, pumps, are you running a sump/fuge? Tank size? What is the water temp?

What chemical have you been adding and are you doing any water changes, if so, how much and how often?

 

[jokway]

With pictures here

here are some pics of my sick fish.

again, i've been using a parasite chemical treatment for two weeks. but the only one that has had a seemingly positive effect is the small clown fish. he does swim closer to the surface when there is food, but still stays close to the floor. the other two fish don't swim up, nor do they leave the floor, nor do they eat.

 

[Awibrandy]

I did a quick search online, and this is what I found! You can do more research before you medicated. Also please do all medications out of your display tank in a hospital tank...
http://www.fishyfarmacy.com/Q&A/behavior.html

Q: My fish are listless and just sit on the bottom of the tank or Koi pond.

A: Try checking the water temperature first. If the weather has changed and it is cold outside, or your heater is malfunctioning... this could cause this condition. If the temperature is fine, this sounds like a bacterial infection.
Treatment: Treat the fish with TMP Sulfa -or- Gentamycin Sulfate.