Percula Clown Sick?

[rocket]

Hello,
I have a question about a Percula Clown. The fish is in a QT waiting to be put into my main tank, which is sitting fallow to clear a case of ich?. In the QT I have two Percula Clowns and a Pearly Jawfish. I used LR to start the QT because I didn't have a sponge colonized yet. Its a 10G.
Anyway, the fish has a little spot white or flaky looking scales up by the dorsal fin and a couple bumps on its side in the middle white bar. Its stomach may be a little enlarged?? (I cant say for sure). I have noticed white stringy stools at times that hang on for an hour or so before it drops off.
Could it have worms? If so how should I treat it? Treat the whole tank? Would that hurt the other fish?
Sorry, but these pictures are the best the camera can do.
Thanks,
Nate

 

[ronj]

I

have noticed white stringy stools

this could definately be a sign of an intestinal problem...there are meds that are fed to the fish that can clear something like this up pretty easily...what are you treating the fish with???? keep an eye on the water quality in that tank..i have one fish in a 10g qt tank..it gets nasty quick!!

 

[rocket]

Ron,
So far I haven't treated the fish with anything. I just feed three times a day alternating small amounts of frozen formula 1, mysis shrimp and formula 1 flake. The jawfish cleans up anything the clowns don't eat. I do a water change 1-2 times a week and vacuum out all left over food and poop.

 

[spongebob lover]

I have noticed white stringy stools at times that hang on for an hour or so before it drops off.

something like that happened to my ocellaris a few months back, i was really worried because she (the opposite of yours ) looked a little healthy but was pooping like yours.

This is what Elmo told me in one of my threads .

Stringy, gooey poop are symptoms of internal parasites. While all fishes have at least minute amounts of internal parasites in their intestinal tracts, too much of them will sap the strength of clownfishes.

Normal poop will be expelled and then clear like dust blown away by the water currents.

There are ways to remedy this. First is the use of Pip-Zine, which now isn't being produced (company stopped making them). However, almost any product with the active ingredient Piperazine citrate will work. If you can soak foods in this, then feed your clowns, it will help.

Another ingredient/product is metronidazole. Hexamit(a) products will cure certain internal parasites as well. Are you able to take a photo of the sick clowns?

i think yours got the same simptom but i wouldn't just go medicating without first making sure it's not something else ....i hope Steve can shime in or Elmo.

 

[rocket]

Thanks for the input Gaby!

 

[steve-s]

Actually I would treat with both Metronidazole and Praziquantel. What one won't kill the other will.

I would also pro actively treat the clowns for Brooklynella.
http://www.petsforum.com/personal/trevor-jones/formalinbaths.html

How are your water quality/chemistry numbers?

 

[rocket]

Steve,
My water stats are,
Ammonia - 0
Nitrites - .5ppm
Nitrates - 40ppm
Gravity - 1.024

I am using the Jungle Quick Dip Strips to do my testing. I was just about to do another water change because of the nitrates being high.
Can I treat the clowns with the Jawfish remaining in the tank? I only have the one quarantine tank.
Thanks for the help!

 

[steve-s]

Do quite a few good sized water changes. The nitrates could become a concern should something else arise.

Treat all the fish in the QT for the worm/internal parasite, jawfish included. The formalin dips are done outside the tank separately so just treat the clowns but keep an eye on the jawfish.

How long have all these fish been in the QT?

 

[rocket]

The clowns have been in QT for 3 weeks and the Jawfish for 2 weeks. All are eating well, but the one clown has been concerning me a little. Were you able to see the whitish area on the scales of the clown in the pics I attached?
What should I be looking for with the jawfish?

 

[steve-s]

I could not make out much detail on the clowns other than the frayed fins. I did however forget to ask if the red hue is from the picture or actually on the fish?

Keep an eye out on the jawfish for similar symptoms seen in trhe clowns along with what's mentioned in this article.
http://www.petsforum.com/personal/trevor-jones/brooklynella.html

The signs of brooklynellosis

As the parasite causes respiratory difficulties (Lom, 1995), the infected fish show rapid or laboured breathing and may swim close to the water surface in an attempt to get sufficient oxygen. The gills may haemorrhage and small red spots (petechiae) may be present (Lom, 1995). A mild inflammatory reaction may be evoked by a light infection, but a heavy infections will usually cause the death of the fish. Noga (2000) reports that skin lesions are also often associated with brooklynellosis.

Also gaping jaw, hiding, color fading, skin sloughing/cloudiness, staying in one spot for prolonged periods or resting on near the substrate other than at night etc. That last one is moreso the clowns than the jawfish.

For now just treat the jawfish for the same internal problems as the clowns but skip the formalin dips.

 

[rocket]

Steve,
Thanks for you time in helping me. That clown does have more of a red "hue" compared to the other one, the other is brighter orange. Is that not normal?
Also, is there a place that you recommend getting the Metronidazole and Praziquantel? Do larger pet stores typically carry that kind of medication?
I'm new to all this so I appreciate any help or advice!
Thanks, Nate

 

[steve-s]

That clown does have more of a red "hue" compared to the other one, the other is brighter orange. Is that not normal?

Might be something or nothing, hard to tell at this point. Bacterial/viral problems can present this way or it could just be the fish. With this kind of normal coloration of a certain species it makes it even harder to be accurate. Considering the nitrate level and for safety sake, I would err on the side of caution and do those water changes I suggested earlier. Sooner rather than later. It will greatly improve the odds of the fish beating it (if a problem) without meds. If it looks as if it's getting worse let me know so we can deal with it. For now I'd suggest just letting it be since nothing clearly evident. If this is a CO2/pH problem, the water changes will clear that up as well. If you do see a difference in color after the water changes or the meds suggested so far, post that as well.

Is there a solid lid on the tank or permeable so it is easily aerated?

Also, is there a place that you recommend getting the Metronidazole and Praziquantel? Do larger pet stores typically carry that kind of medication?

You should be able to find either at larger pet stores. The brand is unimportant since the meds are not manufacturer specific. Application on the other hand would make a difference. Foods that contain Prazi or Metronidazole like Jungle Labs or the AP Gel Tek products would make your life a lot easier. If not, the straight forward products will work.

 

[rocket]

Great! Thanks for the info. I did get some more water today so I'm set to do a few water changes. Ive already done one with a plan to do a few every other day or so.
Ill keep and eye on the clown to see if the color changes, I'm still trying to find the meds.
The tank does have a solid lid which I try to keep open while I'm home. My wife is scared that the jawfish will jump (she apparently has some crazy phobia about a fish on the floor) I keep it closed when I'm not around.

 

[steve-s]

I did get some more water today so I'm set to do a few water changes.

Do not buy water for a QT, it's a waste. You can easily use tap water as long as you allow it to sit aerated and carbon filtered a few days ahead. As long as it's safe for you, it's safe for them. Just add your salt as normal and do not use Dechlorinators if copper treatments are needed.

The tank does have a solid lid which I try to keep open while I'm home. My wife is scared that the jawfish will jump (she apparently has some crazy phobia about a fish on the floor) I keep it closed when I'm not around.

You need to replace that with something permeable. The solid lid will greatly depress the pH and can very adversely affect the fish. If you go to Home Depot or other large store with a lighting department, ask for something called "egg crate diffuser/panel" for overhead fluorescent lighting. It can easily be cut to shape for the tank top/equipment. It keeps the fish in and the CO2 moves freely out of the tank allowing pH to stabilize.

Looks like this:
http://www.lightingdiffusers.com/images/products/EP-050-24.jpg

Usually costs less than $5.00 but don't buy the silver one. It just flakes off.

 

[rocket]

Steve,
I have looked for that medication you mentioned (Metronidazole and Praziquantel) and I cant find it at any of my local pet stores. Is there anything else that will work that I might be able to find?
Thanks,
nate

 

[steve-s]

Online would be your best option mabye.

Seperately
http://www.nationalfishpharm.com/products2.html

Or as an all in one
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=12794&N=2004+113017

 

[rocket]

Thanks Steve! Thats great, Ill get some right away and get to treating the little guys!