Clownfish and Flatworm eXit help!!!

Hello Everyone,

I just recently used Flatworm eXit on my tank to rid myself of a large infestation and I just turned on the light on my refugium where my tiny black oscellaris clowns reside for the time being. They are 1" and 3/4" respectively.

When I switched on the light they were laying on the bottom of the fuge and breathing heavily, which I contribute to the fact that they are so small and the Flatworm eXit combined with the toxins from the worms themselves affected.

My question is as follows. Can I place these small clowns in my girlfriends nano (28 G JBJ) which she set up about 4 days ago? Before you say no way, let me say that the nano was set up with new sand, live rock from an established system, and 75% of the water used was taken from my 120 G display tank.

Her params are all decent. The only issue is that the Nitrates are at 40 ppm. Is it still ok for the fish to go in or would it spell disaster for the clowns?

On a side note, I threw in about 4 hermit crabs and asterina stars on the 2nd day of her tank being up and running and all are still alive.

 

Nitrates at 40ppm should be too rough on the clowns, they are pretty hardy. Mine seem indestructible. What are your current nitrates? If your nitrates are already in the 20ish range, that much of a swing should not be too much of a shock for them. However, you will still want to drip acclimate them to her tank parameters to match up salinity, temp, and even her nitrate levels, so that they don't go into shock from their already precarious situation.

Good luck.

 

Did you do water changes after the treatment and run carbon ?

You say you turned on the light, where they sleeping ?

 

I was a bit confused by your post. Do you mean should not be too rough since my nitrates in my DT are around 10 - 15 ppm? If I were to drip acclimate them to her nano at 40 PPM would that be okay or would they not make it?

I understand that clowns are very hardy but I don't want to rush it. I just want what is best for the fish.

 

Yes. I did a 20 Gallon water change immediately after the flatworm exit took its course. I also suctioned out the flatworms that I could see before, during, and after the treatment.

I also am running Kent activated carbon in a Via Aqua 20/20 media reactor in the sump.

I also have an extra 15 Gallons of water waiting in case I have to do another WC. Do you think I could add the clowns to her nano? Would it be best to do a small WC in her nano with fresh saltwater and then drip acclimate the clowns to her tank or should I do a water change in my sump and refill the clowns water with fresh saltwater?

 

I edited my post, I meant they should be okay.

 

With nitrates around 10-15 going up to 40, as long as you slowly drip them, I would recommend over an hour, I really think they will be okay. Fish can handle nitrates pretty well.

 

If they were not sleeping.

Can you just do a water change of the nano and then acclimate them. If they are truely stressed from the treatment adding more stress is a risky move IMO.

Sorry did not see the wc thing, yes just do a wc on the nano instead.

 

Okay, do a small water change in her nano to bring down her nitrates. Give the new water a chance to circulate through her system. Then drip acclimate them for over an hour and add them to her tank and I really think you will be okay. I wouldn't use any water from your tank until the carbon has absorbed as much of the toxins as possible.

Hang in there, sometimes just having someone tell you it's going to be all right is all you really need. It's late, don't stress, we have all been there, it will be fine.

Good luck.

 

Thank you everyone for your support. The only reason I am stressing is because tomorrow my girlfriend, my roommate and myself all work from around 8 am until 5 pm and I don't want to lose them during that time.

I will keep everyone updated as to my progress tomorrow after work. Thanks again to those thqt have helped. I really appreciate it.