Unresolved 2 Chromis Gasping at Bottom

All,
Two blue-green Chromis at the bottom of the tank gasping quickly, almost like panting. FOWLR Tank

Temp 78
SG 1.024
Ammonia - 0
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 15
Ph 8.2

Only change that I made is adding a Koralia 550gph to the tank because I didn't have enough flow before.

Only two other fish in the tank, firefish and four stripe damsel both act fine.

 

Are their pupils dilated?

 

They don't seem to be any more than normal.

 

It could just be stirring up from the Koralia.

 

I'll keep an eye on them and report back. Have to run to the store.

Thanks for your help.

 

If you've had them for a while and they are still swimming upright- just huddled together and breathing heavy, I wouldn't worry too much. IMOPE, Chromis tend to be a bit "nervous" and are temporarily affected by changes in their environment, including flow. They'll probably be fine in a day or two.

 

They've been in the tank for a few months, they were the first fish in.

One of the two moves up into the water column and goes back down but the smaller of the two is still sitting upright on the bottom.

 

My Wrasee is doing the same thing for the past 4 days!!! I removed a very large piece of coral days before and it must have stirred up a lot of nasties in the water. He is not getting any better, I love that little guys, he's been in my tank for about 9 months with no issues.


I hope your fish get better soon!

 

I'd say the change in the flow has them a little freaked out. Mine done the same exact thing when I added a powerhead. They'll be ok once they get used to it.

 

I don't see either of them now so I suspect they've gone back into the cave they live in.... either that or the decorator crab ate them