beginner needs some help or luck?

Gotta throw my 2 cents in here. First of all, clownfish are almost as hardy as damsels, but are more expensive. So most people prefer to cycle with damsels as they are much cheaper. But you did not exactly make a mistake in your choice of fish (though I would have added only one...)

It was a mistake not to let your tank cycle a bit first, but we must deal with what we now have. Please do get the test kits that others have mentioned. In the mean time, get a bottle of Seachem Prime (or a similar product from other manufacturers). This will detoxify any ammonia/nitrites that may now be present in your tank and prevent them from killing your fish.

Also, you didn't mention whether you have any powerheads in your tank for water movement? Water movement helps oxygenate the water. The fact that your fish is hanging near the surface likely indicates low oxygen. So place powerheads or at least an airstone in your tank to increase oxygenation.

And take it from there.

 

i agree with jjk i added two percs to my tank just two weeks afeter i set it up and they are fine now three months later. i did use s bottle of nitrifying bacteria though. if you do not want to give the fish back then get a bottle and add it like told to on the bottle. hope this helps. good luck

 

Just so were clear, Im not knocking the percs here, would just rather see a couple of $3.00 fish doing the initial set up, than a couple of $25.00 fish. Easier to swallow if you lose one. and I don't want him to give them up, just re acclimate until they can be moved back. thanks... let us know how it turns out.

 

Sorry to hear about the bad starter advise from the LFS. I had the same problem. But the friendly people here helped me straighten it out and no fish were lost in the process! Losing fish can be pricey.

Also, try to do as much research as possible with the fish your are gonna introduce after the tank has cycled, diseases and other various things. With the test kits I would also suggest a phosphate, and alkalinity tests. I also had better luck with the chemical tests versus the dip strip tests to get accurate readings. I didn't have these tests and it proved to fix a few of my problems I wasn't even familiar with.

As for feedback, I would let them re-acclimate the fish and wait for your tank to cycle. The fish will appreciate it more. Good luck and best of wishes!