Green Dotted Black Ocellaris

[Vicki]

I just setup a (hopefully) pair of Black Ocellaris with a Green Carpet Anemone. So far, they haven't taken to the anemone.

I just fed the anemone and one of the little clowns decided he wanted
the food. The carpet grabbed him and started wrapping around him.
I still had my tongs in my hand, and was able to work the clown loose after a minute or so.

The clown now has green spots all over him. He's swimming, but doesn't look
very happy. Is there anything I can do to help him?

I've already separated them.

Thanks,
Vicki

 

[spongebob lover]

ouch !
I'm really sorry to hear that Vicki .
Anyways, i hope someone can give you some good advice , but very catchy tittle.. for a moment i thought you had some sort of rare clownfish.

 

[Vicki]

Here's a picture of the poor guy!

ANYONE have any idea what I should do?

Vicki

 

[Sparks]

melafix or pimafix(whatever looks better from the instructions), slime coat additive and luck

 

[spongebob lover]

ohh yeah he has green all over .
i'd say start a quarantine, but i think that would stress him more as he probably is.
Have you tried pming either Elmo, Steve-S, may be Nikki (she always has some great links).

 

[steve-s]

The problem is embeded nematocysts, it's results will usually be similar to paralysis. If the clown becomes imobile or settles in one particular spot, leave it be as long as it's breathing and nothing is bothering it. There is little you can do except ensure stress is as minimal as possible and water parameters are top notch. Don't be suprised if it doesn't eat for the next few days either. Be absolutely sure you watch the clown for signs of open wounds/sores that may become infected. I would not necessarily suggest a QT unless you have an already cycled set up for the clown. Placing it in an uncycled QT would be the end of it I think. If it is cycled, definately place it in there and lower the salinity towards 14-16 ppt. It will help tremendously.

If you have access to Kent's Pro Tech Marine or Seachems Stressguard, one of these would help quite a bit. The fact that the fish is actually swimming about surprises me to no end. That long of a time in the grip of an anemone would kill most fish this size. Timing being what it is, I'm sure the clown would be dead otherwise.

Cheers
Steve

 

[Vicki]

Hi Steve,

This poor little guy; he's probably only an inch long. The fish are still in the same tank this happened in with a tank divider between them and the anemone. I'll move the anemone so I can lower the salinity. Only the pair and the anemone are in the tank and some rock and sand.

The fish is still swimming almost three hours later. I did just try feeding him and he IS eating. I sure hope that's a good sign.

I don't have either the Kent or Seachem you mention. I do have Melafix, Prime, Stress Coat and Aqua Plus. Petsmart is just up the street through if you feel none of these are as helpful. Please advise.

Thanks so much!
Vicki

 

[steve-s]

I'll move the anemone so I can lower the salinity. Only the pair and the anemone are in the tank and some rock and sand.

Not a wise idea to use hyposalinity in an established tank like that. The fauna die off would make water quality spiral down rather quickly. At the very least, remove the rock as well. You'll still need daily water changes depending on the developement/depth of the sandbed but it will minimize it a fair bit.

Where are you putting the anemone?

The fish is still swimming almost three hours later. I did just try feeding him and he IS eating. I sure hope that's a good sign.

It is an excellent sign on both accounts.

I don't have either the Kent or Seachem you mention. I do have Melafix, Prime, Stress Coat and Aqua Plus. Petsmart is just up the street through if you feel none of these are as helpful.

None of these are going to help much. The two I mentioned have special polymers that bind to proteins and help seal wounds faster if any are present. It was moreso for prevention than cure anyway. Keep the water quality as high as possible, leave the overhead light off except for feeding/examination and be sure you fortify the foods with a quality liquid vitamin.

Cheers
Steve

 

[Vicki]

I was planning on moving the anemone to the tank on the right; which is where the anemone was up until Sunday when I moved it in with the black ocellaris. The anemone had been in with a Black Saddleback which was being a bit harsh with it. The tanks are identical in all water parameters as well as sizing and lighting. I can move the rocks and sand as well if you feel hypo-salinity will help.

I'll head up to Petsmart to get either the Kent or Seachem you mentioned and I'll go turn out the lights.

Thanks again for the quick responses.

Vicki

 

[Vicki]

I tried both Petsmart and Petco in Puyallup and neither had either product. I decided not to attempt heading to Tacoma since it was close to 5:00 PM.

Puyallup REALLY needs a Reef Store!!!!!

I've removed the anemone and of the four products I had, I decided to add the Prime. Within an hour, the green spots have turned to white spots. Looks like a bad case of ich now. I'd guess about half of the spots are gone, though there are still LOTS of spots left. The fish seems much happier and is swimming and eating like a trooper. It seems the spots are just hanging on to the slime coat.

I do have some hope that he's going to be okay now. Tough little guy!

Thanks for all the help and suggestions!
Vicki

 

[wrightme43]

My perc was zapped up by the torch a long time ago. Just looked like it had been whipped in a old western. Healed up just fine. I know Steve S. has you covered. I wanted to share a positive result. I really really believe water quality, and stability is the key.
Now it hangs in the torch, the frogspawn, the rose bubble, and both green bubbles.
I think them little guys are tough.

 

[Elmo18]

Oh my....I'm sorry to hear about this Vicki. I did receive your email, too.

The sting of the nematocysts of carpet anemones in general definitely is strong enough to kill most fishes. Interestingly, Stichodactyla haddoni are not natural host for Ocellaris clowns. Still, as with most clowns, they certainly are apt to go in an anemone rather than not.

In treating this, it looks like others have been helping above. There is not much you can do about the stings as they are internal already, but it is the secondary infections that you must be on the lookout for. Immune system will be down, so feed high quality foods.

I would NOT move the rock and anemone into a new tank for hyposalinity. Hyposalinity is for 'fish' only. You can place a couple of clay pots or PVC fittings for security purposes.

That is one tough fish. I know tangs and such would have passed on a lot faster. Am I right to say this is one from liveaquaria.com?

Best,
ilham

 

[Vicki]

My lights finally have come on this morning.
There is absolutely no sign of any spots or any damage to the clownfish!
I can't believe this. Look again at the photo in Post #3.

Thanks so much to everyone for the help and insight on this.

I was thinking of moving the anemone and rocks to another tank so I could lower the salinity in the tank the clowns are in. I didn't use any hypo-salinity whatsoever. I know hypo is for fish only.

This clownfish was from The Shark Reef. Healthy little guy! Lucky too!

Vicki

 

[Gimpster]

If there is anything I know about clowns its that they are tough little fish. The True Percula Clown I have has been through a lot, several tank moves, three fungal infections, a 3 month stint without water changea and over feeding. (Yes I did learn my lession, I now take much better care of my setup.) I think if he is still swimming and eating he will be fine. Best of luck and I agree we do need a good reef shop in Puyallup. Indoor Reef is a great place but since their move their stock has been a bit poor and its a bit of a drive.

 

[spongebob lover]

Vicki, I'm glad to hear your clown is gonna make it !!
now just don't name the clownfish and you'll be good.

 

[Vicki]

Thanks for the well wishes. He's still looking good!

Clowns do seem to be tough little fish.

Great seeing another Puyallup reefer here. Which part of Puyallup are you in? I'm up from Good Sam and close to Wildwood Park. VERY close to Petsmart!

Vicki

 

[steve-s]

Glad to see it all worked out. The clown really dodged one there.

Cheers
Steve

 

[Gimpster]

Vicki I am over by Woodland Elementry off of 112th St. Puyallup is a small town.

 

[Electrokate]

Hi,
It might be good to order some of the meds you don't have so that you have them at hand, and store in cool and dark place. I have quite the assortment now myself. Olympia too is hard to find stuff in unless you want expired meds.

I don't think you needed hypo, but maybe what you meant is 1.020 because it's easier on the fish? In general I guess i would use a different anemone on this fish, I think Susie can tell you about all the fish her carpet ate They are beautiful though and some clownfish will hang with them.

Hope the fish is not afraid of anemones from now on! I guess it doesn't really matter since he doesn't need one to survive. Awesome looking fish in general, might have to add them to the 55.
Kate

 

[Vicki]

Hey Kate!

I will be picking up a few more medications next chance I get. Thanks for the reminder. You just never know what you're going to need next.

I hope you mean the Black Ocellaris (in general) is awesome looking, not mine while covered in Green Spots.

Fish is doing just GREAT! You'd never know it happened.
I think I'll leave his tank anemone free for a while.

Vicki