Clamped Fins on Clown Fish

[bookwormtoo]

I purchased two Clown fish on November 5 (after my new tank cycled). I noticed today that one of them has "clamped" top and bottom fins (i.e., they are tucked in tight to the fish's body). The fish is also opening and closing its mouth a lot compared to the other fish. I don't see any spots on the fish. Both fish are eating when I feed them.

Does anyone have an idea what may be wrong with the one fish?

Thanks
-Mark

 

[Brian5000]

I noticed that both of my clowns had their abdominal fins tucked in for a period when I first got them. I had (still have) one that was clearly healthier than the other. It spread all it's fins in couple weeks, while my underdog clown took closer to a month. I think it's a sign of stress (i.e. moving to a new tank). As long as they are eating well, I think they'll turn out fine once they get comfortable in their new home.
_________________
Ferrari GG50

 

[bradl.]

On the subject of clowns. I bought a marroon with yellow striped clown 2 days ago.He is beautiful.The problem is he just swims around the top of the 55 and hasnt eatin. Any feedback would be apprecited

 

[WannaBeReefer]

bookwormtoo, I'm no expert, but could your nitrates be high? Are you sure your cycle is over? Clamped fins I think are from poor water quality. Meaning high ammonia, nitrites,nitrates.

Just a thought!

My false percs ate immediately, but I have had fish not eat for over a week. My Firefish went for almost 2 before it finally came out and started to eat. I thought it was a goner.

 

[bookwormtoo]

Thanks to those who have replied. It was helpful. The water quality is good: pH 8.2, Nitrate 0, Ammonia 0, Nitrite 0.

I think the fish may have marine itch. After doing some more reading and looking more closely at the fish, I think I may see 3 syptoms:

-some white spots on bottom fins and near gills
-the fish is paler in color than the other fish, especially around the head (I think they were more similar in color when i bought them
-the rapid breathing, compared to the other fish

I don't want to misdiagnose or move too quicky at this point. I think I am going to wait it out one more day and look at the fish again. Do you think this is the right thing to do or should I do something immediately?

Thanks

-mark

 

[Juck]

Clamped fins,paleness and rapid breathing can be indicative of several diseases,,, if you see spots it could be Crypto/Marine Ich or maybe even Brooklynella or Amyloodinium(marine velvet).

This may end up being a hard lesson on the importance of quarantining new fish for 6 weeks before putting them into your tank.

If you have other fish in the tank they may be infected so get any sick fish out and into a treatment tank immediately. Google Marine ich, Brooklynella and Amyloodinium,, there are several sites that will help you identify and treat these diseases. Fish infected with Brooklynella or Amyloodinium rarely survive in my experience, unless the disease is treated immediately upon showing symptoms.

The fact that they are still eating is good news, because when they stop,, the end is usually near. Don't wait any longer to treat these fish.

Good luck

 

[Juck]

On the subject of clowns. I bought a marroon with yellow striped clown 2 days ago.He is beautiful.The problem is he just swims around the top of the 55 and hasnt eatin. Any feedback would be apprecited

If she's not showing any signs of disease then it could just be down to stress,, but keep a close eye on her for rapid breathing or other visible signs of disease. Even a stressed clown will probably go after some live brine-shrimp or live baby brine,,, worth a try if you can get some.

Is it a tank raised clown? They often have weird sleeping habits which probably stems from being in a tank with 300 siblings,, I had a pair of tank-raised Oscellaris that slept nose-downwards at the surface for months.

Good luck