[poccoe61]

i recently purchased a pair of true percula clowns (very small little guys). i acclimated them, and of course, placed them into my ten gallon nano where a small yellow tipped damsel and bubble tipped anemone awaited. sounds great? well...

they both seem to swim toward the top of the tank and do not really venture around the rocks, nor the anemone (much to my dissatisfaction). however one of the fish appears to be in better shape than another. he swims mid level every now and then, but mostly sticks around the other fish who seems to bob his head up and down at the top of the water. i think there is a small small white spot on top of his head, not sure if its an injury or a disease possibly. but he continually just bobs there. if i put my finger over him, he darts away, then returns shortly, only to continue bobbing his head. anyone had a similar problem? anyone got a solution or at least attempt at a solution? any feedpack is greatly appreciated.

[sarha]

i think they are just stressed out leave them alone maybe turn the light out for a day the small white spot is probably ick not sure though how does your damsel treat the new commers? im sure he thinks the tank is his!

[poccoe61]

he really doesn't act pissed. he swims toward them, not really with any aggression. he doesn't chase them around the tank or anything (a hell of a lot different than my cichlids...thats another story). perhaps theyre intimidated...

[sarha]

it's had to say time wil tell! keep us posted

[poccoe61]

one clown didn't make it through the night. =\.

the other, i don't know if hes going to make it or not, as hes exhibiting similar behavior. the damsel SEEMS ok, the anemone is its normal self (i actually woke up and it was amazingly full and open). i don't think its bad water params to blame or the anemone or some other invert would have likely gone first. i really don't know at this point =\

[Dfont05]

Did the white dot look like a speck of sand on him,b/c if it did it is most likely ich. It could be the clowns you bought were not healthy and just died, what i suggest is next time you go to buy any fish ask the person in the pet store to feed them first and if they eat then and there they are good to go. Just a thought hope all goes well.

[sarha]

i agree with seeing them eat but if your an hour from the lfs like me that can cause problems, fish might vomit the food or deficate in the bag after eating. I like to see them eat then i put a sizable deposit on them and return a week or so later to pick them up. i think this helps weed out the bad ones and insures a healthier fish.

[poccoe61]

good idea. the other seems ok. i guess just alone? he doesn't really eat, more or less just kind of gets a piece of flake, and spits it out. hes relatively small still (about 3/4 of an inch), so i'm assuming he might just forage on algae or something throughout the day when i'm not here and just isn't hungry by the time i get home.

the anemone seems fine, although the clown still isn't hosting it just yet, and he may never. but thats fine with me i suppose. the damsel and him don't seem to have many problems either as they kindly just keep to themselves. thanks guys.

[msbdiving]

Did you use a quarantine tank? I have a small cheap 7g with copper and it seems to take care of fungal and parasite probs.

[poccoe61]

perhaps my (and you all's as well) suspicions were correct. maybe its ick? it seems to be a white grain of sand on one of them. i'm not sure if that is ick, as i've never dealt with fish illnesses before. however, i don't have a quarantine tank. is there any non copper remedies or could i freshwater bath (ro water) and see if that maybe takes care of it?

please be aware, i'm not entirely sure this is 'ick'. but there is a grain of sand, or something resembling it on the clowns head. its very very small and i can't even post a picture.

[sarha]

i've used fresh water baths and they work be careful though they are very stressful for the fish. make sure that the ph and temp are the same as your saltwater. never leave tha fish in for more than ten minutes! after three to five minutes most fish start to show signs of discomfort and stress.