Black Ocillaris Clown not eating

Discussion in 'Tropical Fish' started by diverdan, Mar 18, 2013.

to remove this notice and enjoy 3reef content with less ads. 3reef membership is free.

  1. diverdan

    diverdan Bangghai Cardinal

    Joined:
    Sep 9, 2010
    Messages:
    1,389
    Location:
    San Diego
    Hey everyone. So my 4 year old black clown isn't eating. I just noticed this 3 days ago. In the past week there have been some changes. 7 days ago I added a juvenile black clown and they paired almost immediately. 4 days ago I added about 30lbs of nuked rock and some were right near her hosting corner.
    She was a he up until 3 months ago when my female went carpet surfing and didn't make it. He never strayed too far from his area and always stayed in the hosting area.
    Even when I feed she does really get to excited. Moves around a little bit. But kinda just opens and closes her mouth and acts like it doesn't even see the food even when it's right there in front of her.
    She doesn't act like anything is wrong and is still paired with the other clown. They have recently been doing more exploring and not in the usual corner.
    Is this something to be concerned about? Oh and she is not skinny like she is starving.
    Thank you in advance for any and all input. Thank you.
    Please feel free to ask me anything.
     
  2. Click Here!

  3. diverdan

    diverdan Bangghai Cardinal

    Joined:
    Sep 9, 2010
    Messages:
    1,389
    Location:
    San Diego
    Forgot to post params
    Sg- 1.024
    Temp- 78.6
    Ph- 7.8
    Alk- 9
    No3- 0
    Po4- 0
    Cal- 500

    Thank you agin for your help.
     
  4. Corailline

    Corailline Super Moderator

    Joined:
    Sep 8, 2010
    Messages:
    19,652
    Location:
    It is a dry heat, yeah right !
    My B/W went to 2 weeks once without me witnessing her eating. For no reason at all she hung out in the rockwork and would not eat. I was she sure she was a goner, but she pulled through.

    The introduction of the new clown may have introduced a pathogen/disease and she is feeling under the weather. As long as she is not showing physical signs of illness or breathing heavy you may have to wait it out.

    Please let us know how it goes.
     
  5. diverdan

    diverdan Bangghai Cardinal

    Joined:
    Sep 9, 2010
    Messages:
    1,389
    Location:
    San Diego
    Thank you. I will definitely keep you updated. It just got me concerned as she is one of my favorites and been there through all the learning curves.
     
  6. diverdan

    diverdan Bangghai Cardinal

    Joined:
    Sep 9, 2010
    Messages:
    1,389
    Location:
    San Diego
    Just talked to my wife and she is still the same. Not showing signs of being sick. I'm just really confused.
     
  7. oldfishkeeper

    oldfishkeeper Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2012
    Messages:
    7,660
    Location:
    Cincinnati
    I know it's easy to say not to worry but try not to......if after a week, she's still not eating I would be concerned. You may want to try some appetite enhancer like garlic or selcon (I've still not be able to find a place to purchase this product) in a couple days if she's still not eating. Like Corailline said, if she's swimming and acting normally otherwise, she just may not be feeling well or is a tad stressed from the changes......
     
  8. Click Here!

  9. diverdan

    diverdan Bangghai Cardinal

    Joined:
    Sep 9, 2010
    Messages:
    1,389
    Location:
    San Diego
    I will try not to. I do have some "entice" I would rather not use it but if in a few days she still isn't eating I will give it a try. Thanks for the kind words. It's hard when a fish that you've put through a lot and one that's been around a while that you've grown quite fond of gets sick or whatever it is. I just don't want to loose her. Thanks again.
     
  10. diverdan

    diverdan Bangghai Cardinal

    Joined:
    Sep 9, 2010
    Messages:
    1,389
    Location:
    San Diego
    So from the time that I got home from work she has been in in the same area. Not moving but a few inches with the flow. She is still swimming but almost like she wants to rest on the substrate. I can't tell I the breathing is labored but something isn't right. She is not swimming the same and just seems labored. I dont know if I'm explaining it well enough. Could it be an internal parasite. None of the other fish are showing any signs of distress. This sucks and If sheaves it through the night what should be my next course of action. Should I put her in a hospital tank? What medications should I give. I have never been attached to any other fish like I am. She is approximately 4 years old and I know that can't be old so I want to do everything I can.
    Please, any input would be greatly appreciated.
     
  11. diverdan

    diverdan Bangghai Cardinal

    Joined:
    Sep 9, 2010
    Messages:
    1,389
    Location:
    San Diego
    She started to swim around the tank a little more yesterday, got a little excited when it was feeding time. Not much but still saw some life in her that I didn't in a while. She still didn't eat. I was thinking she was feeling better and on the road to recovery. Tested the params last night and they were the same as before. I don't remember checking her before I went to work but today when I got home she was no where to be found. She never hides in the rock work so I can only assume the worst. It is several hrs later and still no sign of her. Unfortunately whatever it is that made her sick got the best of her.
    Just wanted to update because I said I would. Thanks for the help and the kind words.
     
  12. Corailline

    Corailline Super Moderator

    Joined:
    Sep 8, 2010
    Messages:
    19,652
    Location:
    It is a dry heat, yeah right !
    So sorry. :-X That is really unfortunate.

    A pathogen/disease must have come in on the new clown that the established clown could not fight off.