Clownfish swimming on its side

Discussion in 'Tropical Fish' started by zeebeedeezigns, Jun 6, 2012.

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  1. zeebeedeezigns

    zeebeedeezigns Astrea Snail

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    Location:
    Jim Thorpe, PA
    For the past 3 days now my oscellaris clown has been swimming on its side. It is usually swimming with its right side up and at about 1-2 inches from the surface of the water.

    I don't see any spots on it. It does move around the tank but not much at a time. For instance, yesterday it was to one side of the tank at the top and today it is in the front of the tank at the top.

    It did seem to try to eat yesterday when I put a cube in the tank although not as aggressive as the other fish but it would try to eat small pieces that would come past it.

    I have been googling this and found a few articles talking about an infected bladder or possibly fin rot. I don't see any problems with its fins. I also read about someone trying gerber green peas fed to the sick fish, which does something to help heal the bladder illness.

    Anyone have any ideas or suggestions as to what it is or other things I should look for? I wouldn't want anything to spread to the other inhabitants.
     
    zeebeedeezigns, Jun 6, 2012
    zeebeedeezigns, Jun 6, 2012
    #1

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  2. Kevin_E

    Kevin_E Giant Squid

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    Florida
    bump. I lost 3 recently and would hate for nother one to pass. Some sort of parasite perhaps?
     
    Kevin_E, Jun 6, 2012
    Kevin_E, Jun 6, 2012
    #2
  3. cosmo

    cosmo Giant Squid

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    Location:
    southeast ohio O-H....
    Mine swim on their sides ALOT, clowns are goofy critters. If its eating and no sign of illness, it may be ok. Does it seem to struggle to right itself and not be able too, or is it comfortably swimming like that?

    If you've lost 3 I'd leave the tank fallow for 8 weeks and start again. something is off. a pic and params would help
     
    cosmo, Jun 6, 2012
    cosmo, Jun 6, 2012
    #3
  4. Kevin_E

    Kevin_E Giant Squid

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    I was bumping for the OP. I'm not putting another fish in my current tank. I just purchased a 55 gallon tank and will be upgrading in the coming months.
     
    Kevin_E, Jun 6, 2012
    Kevin_E, Jun 6, 2012
    #4
  5. cosmo

    cosmo Giant Squid

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    Location:
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    lol, oops!
     
    cosmo, Jun 6, 2012
    cosmo, Jun 6, 2012
    #5
  6. zeebeedeezigns

    zeebeedeezigns Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Oct 15, 2011
    Messages:
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    Location:
    Jim Thorpe, PA
    It doesn't try to right itself and before this it used to swim all over the tank. Now it favors staying near the surface. The only other thing I've noticed is the bottom fin on the right side does not open fully like the one on the left.

    I also just noticed that my black clown is starting to copy what the orange one is doing by swimming on its side but on the other side of the tank but that one is swimming a little more actively than the orange one.
     
    zeebeedeezigns, Jun 7, 2012
    zeebeedeezigns, Jun 7, 2012
    #6