HELP! Clown is deteriorating fast!!!

Something is wrong with my clown. New tank. Has perfect water quality. Shrimp, two snails, brittle star, and clown. Clown has been perfect since I got him. AWESOME appetite, and for two days he hasn't eaten now. I noticed him swimming strangely the day he stopped eating. I thought I was over reacting, so I ignored myself. Yesterday I noticed his mouth was losing color. Still- trying to tell myself I was overreacting, I ignored myself.

Today he hasn't eaten (so unlike him) and is swimming strangely, sometimes just almost about to sway sideways. He's not eating still. The discoloration has spread to his underside and he is bloated with raised fins.

Dropsy? I don't know. I just googled and he fits the description to a T.

Help! He canNOT die. What do I do? Please help!

 

If he is bloated and his fins are sticking out, that sounds like dropsy. It's usually caused by an internal bacterial infection or kidney problems. If it's due to bacteria, you can treat with antibiotics, but it might be too late. Usually once the scales begin sticking out it's too late.

I'm sure someone on here will know more.

 

Agh!

 

The bloating is because the fish is taking in more water than the kidneys can handle. You can try an antibiotic, but I don't know what effect that would have on your other tank inhabitants.

Hopefully someone else can answer!

 

Ok. And I've read salt baths are sometimes effective but I'm horribly ashamed to say I don't know how to do a salt bath.

 

I don't either, but I don't know if that much stress would be at all helpful for him right now.