Clownfish Issues

[Yosef]

I originally posted this in the emergency room before realizing that it's focused on FW. Hopefully this'll get a little more attention here.

Background:
I've had an SW tank running for about 9 months now (my first). It's a 70 gallon with 70 pounds of live rock.

pH: 8.3
ammonia: 0
nitrite: 0
nitrate: <5 ppm
tank temp: 77 (varies by plus/minus 2 degrees. yes, I know - I need a better heater)
specific gravity: 1.023

Volume and Frequency of water changes:
About 1/3 every month

Chemical Additives or Media in your tank:
None, besides salt. I use tap water (not DI) because it has a high calcium carbonate content and the phosphates aren't that much of an issue, since I have a FOWLR

Tank inhabitants:
2 Clownfish, various inverts.

Recent additions to your tank (living or decoration):
The most recent addition was the clownfish, back in november.

Exposure to chemicals:
None that I know of.

Fish Symptoms (include full description including lesion, color, location, fish behavior):
Both clownfish seem listless. One in particular has recently been sitting near the surface (possible gasping) and occasionally twitches his body repeatedly. Both have also recently turned darker, although I'm thinking this is probably just maturation. The one has actually been showing slight symptoms of this nature for several months, but I never thought anything of them until they worsened in the past week.

Any thoughts? I'm thinking parasites maybe, but I could use some input/treatment regimens. I don't have a hospital tank, but if I ABSOLUTELY need one, I can trash an old 30 gallon FW setup.

 

[donny7]

I would recommend buying one of those 5-10 gallon "desktop" or "bookshelf" aquariums for you to use as a hospital tank. Definitely no need to rip apart a FW setup, unless it's just an empty tank with gravel and you don't want to clean it out. 30g would be more beneficial as a setup tank anyway.

Setup one of those aquariums if you can, they go for under 50USD and you get a filter, sometimes a heater, etc. Use PVC pipe fittings for shelter, keep the gravel bare (parasites will breed in your gravel IIRC) and do daily PWC's. I'd do that. You definitely don't want to introduce any medicine into your main tank.

As for the symptoms of those fish, I would have to agree with you on parasites. Maybe, although a simple thought, there isn't enough oxygen in the water? Try running an air stone or hooking a line tube into your powerhead, if it has the option.

I'd suggest a PWC, increase oxygenation, and quarantine. GL!

 

[seffieuk]

What flow is there in the tank and they are mighty lucky clowns to have 70 gallons to themselves

Is there any chance an aerosol could have been sprayed near the tank?

 

[Yosef]

I do have a 10 gallon at my disposal - didn't know it was big enough!

I set up an airstone that's been running for a day now - I haven't observed any twitching lately, but the one clownfish is still sitting at the surface. As far as flow goes, I could probably use some more - I have two powerheads and two filter outputs.

I doubt anyone's been spraying aerosols around the tank, but I'm honestly not sure.