QT question with clowns

I picked up a small pair of black sebae clowns last week and have had them in a QT tank with cupramine since. The smaller of the two is very active and eats great. The larger of the two is very lethargic in that it hardly moves from its spot in the bottom corner of the tank. I see no signs of disease, either ich or brooklynella. This fish has yet to aggressively eat.

I am concerned about this fish. I have been doing daily 25% water changes. I have a 10gallon QT with a sponge filter, heater and 2 pieces of pvc for hiding. I have been using freshmade water for the water changes. I am considering using tank water from my DT for the next one. I have done 2- 50% water changes today as I noticed a small spike in ammonia this morning. Also I am considering stopping the cupramine with my next wc effectively halving the dose.

Thoughts? These fish came from a tank with an anemone and I am worried they may have some separation anxiety? I know clowns don't need one, but they did have one they were hosted in.

Thanks for any help and sorry for the long post.

 

Did you place a piece of PVC or some sort of retreat for the fish?

 

Yep, there is 2 pieces of 4" pvc approximately 10" and 14" long. They aren't interested in it tho.

 

Sorry I can't help. I'll give you a bump for the more knowledgeable clown-ers.

 

I appreciate it. Thanks.

 

Anyone?

It almost appears that they are being hosted in the corner of the tank. I really only have experience with occelaris clowns so this is new territory to me. Also a Google search does not reveal a lot of information regarding these fish.

There is still no heavy breathing, just kind of relaxing in the corner of the tank. The small fish has now taken up residence swimming next to the bigger one.

Does anyone know if these fish are sensitive to copper? I can't imagine they would be, however with my last wc today I only gave them half the recommended amount.

 

I may do a fw dip if I don't see some improvement by tomorrow.

 

I did another water change with dt water and no copper. I have reduced the concentration to .125 or 1/4 the recommended ful dose. I also noticed the fish breathing heavily and listing slightly to one side so I gave it a 3 minute fw dip. I matched ph and temp and ran an airstone in the bowl. It seems to have slowed down the fishes breathing. I am going to leave it alone tonight and probably not do any water changes tomorrow. I think I may have done too many today...

 

Yeah, I would let him rest for a bit. I would say that an air-stone is about all you can do now. Any other opinions?

 

No real change today, just sits there like a bump on a log. I haven't seen it eat, but I put a small pinch of food in the tank and it is gone when I return. I am guessing at this point the new environment is stressing it out. I checked the tank last night a few hours after sundown(natural lighted tank only) and the fish was out swimming. I guess at this point I will monitor params and hope for the best.

On a side note, situations like this make me very happy I qt all new additions. I would hate to introduce a parasite and nuke a whole tank worth of fish.