HELP my clownfish!!!

[Anonymous]

AHHHHHH :x 8O !!!!

Now my false percula (the one I believe to be the male), is hurtin'!
Hes breathing really hard (gasping), and has developed small red splotches that are oval--only 2-3 of them though--on his face! I did a nearly 13 minute freshwater dip, but to nearly no avail... Ive read that every other disease afflicting clowns would require only a 3-10 minute dip, except Brooklynella...! However, I read nothing that characterized brooklynella as the observed symptons my clown is facing!
What do I do?!?!?! What CAN I do?!?!?!?!?!
I do NOT want to lose another clownfish, or any fish at that!!!
Please, help me and my clownfish buddy in our plight!

 

[Anonymous]

Are you only dipping for treatment? If so, you probably won't have great luck. Search our library, Advanced Aquarist, and wetwebmedia.com for treatment options for Brooklynellosis. Unfortunately, I'm unable to access my links for identifying fish diseases at this time.

 

[WannaBeReefer]

From the book "Clownfishes" by Joyce Wilkerson

Brooklynella symptoms include thick whitish mucus coat, rapid respiration, loss of appetite, open-mouth gasping, faded body color as it progresses. Fishes are usually found lying on the bottom or staying near the surface.

Treatment is a full 15 minute freshwater dip to remove parasites. If you can QT, about 1 drop per gallon of Formalin.

Doesn't seem to include red splotches....

How is your water quality? PH high?

Check on a disease called Uronema...

http://www.aquaculture.bz/fish-disease/parasites.html Pic is towards the middle of the page.

HTH

 

[Anonymous]

Ok, I used this stuff called Melafix that the liveaquaria.com guys said would work, because we kinda concluded that it was a bacterial infection... So I put the stuff in, and I go out for a few minutes; when I come back, two of my margarita snails are lying on their backs with their sheildy thingies relaxed in a death state!!!! :x :evil:
Now what do I do?! My tank is suddenly clouding up (though that can be attributed to an accidental overdose-spill of Microvert stuff), and I might be losing snails like I am skin cells! ARGH!!!! They said that stuff was "Safe for Invertebrates"!!! The clown doesnt even look any better!
This is crazy! Who or what can I trust to treat an ailing clownfish or other fish without nuking my inverts and otherwise?! I need to get a hospital tank, but right now I just dont have the money or space to completely setup an adequate one!...
Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

[WannaBeReefer]

I use Melafix in my freshwater tanks, never used it in salt. I wish it killed snails in my planted tank. Its not really a med, more like an elixir. Some sort of tree extract I think. Thats stuff does work very good though IME, I had a severe case of fin rot in a small tank of mine, seen massive improvement in about 1 1/2 days. go to walmart and get a starter tank for $15 and use it as a QT. Much cheaper than losing snails and others while treating.

 

[cdeakle]

First off relax, were here to help.

What are your tank paramteres? What is your:

ph
ammonia
nitrite
nitrate
temp
salinity

-puff

 

[Anonymous]

Im reading:

Ammonia: .25-.50
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate ~20 (last time I tested was a few days ago)
pH: ~8.2
temp: ~76-77
SG: ~1.023-1.024

Hey, dont anything I said on the other thread ofensively, 420puff! I never mean it that way, but am almost always taken as hostile! Just look what happened between LordNikon and I on the gobie thread!

Oh, and by the way guys, the margaritas werent dead after all! They were lying on their backs like they were, but most of them got back up and eating even more now! I had to help two of them back on their feet, but theyre no worse for the wear! Sweet!
Thanks

 

[Tackett]

That ammonia seems high to me, but if the snails are ok its seems like the freakin clownfish would be fine, I'd get some ammo-lock and try to nix alot of that. My suggestion about the clown fish would be, get a little starter tank (it only needs to be about 5 gallons) from wally world (wal-mart) for, like the guys said, about 20 bucks, mix salt water in it, but DO NOT put the clownfishy in there yet. Dip his butt in freshwater for about 15 to 18min then put him in. If you stick him directly in it all your doing is letting the bacteria loose in your new water. The other thing i would do in your main tank is lower the temperature as low as itll go without killing everything in it. Lower the salinity in it also for a few days. This will more than likely kill the bacteria thats floating around in there before it kills the rest of your fishies. I would also change about 60-80 percent of the water to try to get rid of the free floating bacteria after you do all of this, fact being that even after a bacteria is dead half of the time they can still regenerate themselves and startback up if they enter a host again. Secondly I would not trust ANY treatment, ive treated alot of tanks by just lowering the salinity and lowering the temp and about ninety five percent of the time itll kill off the infection in a day or so. But important thing is that you need to get a QT and get his clownfishy ass out of the infected water. But honestly it sounds like ammonia burns, especially the rapid breathing. try the ammo-lock before you do anything else and see if that helps.

 

[Anonymous]

Mela fix is , from what I understand, a derivative from the melaluca tree or tee tree. It is use in all sorts of things and does help. I wouldnt see any reason for it to kill snails unless there is a chemical in there that I dont know about.

Kinda like aloe on steroids

 

[cdeakle]

Ammonia: .25-.50

This could very well be your problem. IMO (In My Opinion) that is a toxic ammonia level and could be lethal if not put back into check. Your ammonia should be 0.

You need to do some water changes IMMEDIATELY to get that ammonia down. There are additives out there that can help lower ammonia but there is nothing better and quicker and for sure then good old fashion water changes. Please get that ammonia to 0 then I bet your clown will show dramatic improvements. I will post more later if I can, busy at work.

No offense taken, I was actually having fun. LN is my buddy so I was jumpin into the fun...

 

[cdeakle]

I would not suggest doing any fw dips or any other drastic measures untill you get your water params in check. No need to stress your fish out when there is no need yet. Start with the more common simple things then work your way up. I could be mistakin but I belive ammonia can leave the red marks on your fish. Get that ammonia in check and then we can go from there...

 

[Anonymous]

My ammonia level is really that toxic? Man... Im in a pinch; I dont have my usual equipment I use for water changes (my other bucket...) right now! Ill only be able to do a water change in a couple of days at best! The other thing I was planning on that backfired for my upcoming water change was my heater coming in the mail; I ordered a stainless steel 150 watt heater that I put in my regular tank and use the old one to equalize the temperature of the incoming water (which I have never done as of yet! ). However, after some more investigation, I decided to not even risk the slightest amount of corrotion; now Im already sending it back for a fully submersible glass heater with a plastic guard around it! Do you guys think a titanium heater is a safer choice then a fully submersible glass one with a plastic grid thingy to protect it? I need a fully submersible heater in any case, but I wanted to get a really niceone that would never break and electrocute me and my fish! I STILL dont have a GFI on my circuit!
Walmart has QTs for $15? Or was it $20? Dang; Im gonna pick one up ASAP!
Otherwise, since Im in a pickle, would double-dosing Amquel Plus be my saving grace for a couple of days, plus the Melafix? Im also using Garlic Extreme, but the clow still doesnt seem to eat, and is pretty skinny! :x
Now what do I do? Cant do a water change just yet, my ammonia is toxic, all I have to run on is Amquel Plus and Melafix, and when I CAN do a water change, I probably wont be able to equalize the tmeperature! I think this is called rock bottom...

 

[Anonymous]

Holy smizmar!
Wait a second; would that starter kit include a heater?! Oh man, if it doesnt, Im up another creek with even less no paddle!
Help! Does anyone know if they come with a heater or not?!

 

[WannaBeReefer]

NO heater, Wally world has them though. I think the price depends on where you live. I was in Bristol VA. visiting the inlaws and seen a 10 gal setup with hood and filter for $14.97. Came home to NJ and seen it for $19 and change.

Personally I would go the Amquel route if you can't do a water change, your ammonia could go higher before it gets lower, BUT don't overdose it and do not let this replace the water change.

Anyone else have any thoughts?

 

[Anonymous]

While you are at walmart why not get a bucket too???

then you could do you water change. I think you need to relax, go get a qt tank with a 25 watt heater and a small hob filter at your lfs. THe milleniums run about 15 - 20 buck. Dont just keep adding a million chemicals to your tank.

Buy a bucket, change your water, qt the clown with freshly made salt and some of the tank water, test your water daily and keep on the water changes till ammonia is 0

easy enough

 

[Anonymous]

YOur also in Napa Ca, doesnt it get hot out there you migh not even need a heater

 

[Tackett]

You might wanna replace your activated carbon too if its been a while, I figured that it was ammonia burns. If i was you and ammonia is a constant problem even though that you do biweekly small 20 percent water changes, (you do perform your water changes :wink: dont you?) you might want to opt for a bigger protien skimmer even though i know you dont have the cash now, start saving for one or check your local ad bullitins for a good deal. Until then, just keep a check on it and once ammonial levels starts to go up change some of the water, but dont skimp on your biweekly water changes, itll save you alot of pain in the long run.

 

[cdeakle]

You need to do a water change as of yesterday. Get that ammonia down. In the least if you have water and salt there has to be a way to do a water change. Find a way, make a way. That ammonia is unacceptable.

If you must use a chemical additive I would suggest Kent Marine Ammonia Detox. Do that water change bro!

 

[Anonymous]

Yeah, what he said. Even if you have to add little cups of water over the course of a few hours (to offset the temp diff) then do so.

It's the ammonia. It's the ammonia. It's the ammonia.

 

[Anonymous]

Well, my efforts were in vain; the clown died last night...
I couldnt do the water change the lastcouple of days and not today either because I have been really busy with things going on all the time. People in my household come to me with all their problems and I have to drop what Im doing or be a worthless jerk. *Sigh*
It should get better soon though; Im gonna try and the water change tommorow.
I wouldnt want to buy another bucket from walmart or someplace like that because Im paranoid of what chemical residues might be on the plastic that I wouldnt be able to get off! And anyway, I havent had a chance to hit walmart (its across town from me, and its kind of a big town)...
The ammonia is really that unacceptable? Why are my other fish doing fine and breathing normally? Whats going on here? Is .25-.50 that bad?!
Now what do I do about finding the remaining female false perc a mate?!
Its not only painful ethically, but a pain in the lower extremity!
Im DEFINITELY buy a QT tank within the month though; that can not be circumvented.
Yeah, more and more I resent the stupid SeaClone 100; whats a better upgrade for me on a 29G with lots of stuff on the back already... A Turbofloater or a Bak Pak with the bubble trap and pre-skimmer?
Thanks for your help guys; Im just so sad about losing another clown...