911! Sick Clown!

jayr102

New Member
I started a tank for my boyfriend a few months ago, which included 3 clowns, 2 red crabs, a starfish and a nudibranch, and everything was going fine until he and I went on a 4 day vacation. His parents said they would feed the fish for us while they were gone, and since all of the fish seemed very healthy, everything seemed like it would be fine. Upon returning from our trip, we had lost everything except one clown and one crab
. For some reason, the dead fish weren't removed from the tank, and when we got back, they had translucent growths covering their remains on the bottom of the tank. I removed then IMMEDIATELY and did a water change. The clown seemed ok except for a little erosion on one his right fin.
After waking up this morning, the clown looks very pale and he's having trouble swiming straight. Seems more like he's being pushed around by the current, and he keeps swimming in cartwheels. I tested the water and it seems fine. What happened with the tank, and how can I save my last little guy?!?!?!?!
 

cmc3502

Member
could be that they were overfed... And the ammonia that was created by the dead fish didnt help the poor guy either... Although the parameters are back to normal, he might be pretty stressed out or have some kind of disease that he got when he was stressed with lowered immune system. Try soaking his food in garlic, I've heard that is like vitamin C for humans... Although if hes floating around by the current only, it might be too late.
Its weird, Ive lost 2 fish on to seperate vacations, while a friend fed them. My only theory is that they gave them to large a portion or the fish some how know that its not you (i doubt that one though)
 

1journeyman

Active Member
True. For many fish, going 4 days with no feeding is fine. Especially if you have a productive refugium.
You said you tested the water... can you recheck the ammonia? For the fish to have been in the tank long enough to decompose like you said I can't imagine there being no ammonia.
 

t316

Active Member
I have never removed a dead fish. Clean-up crew has always taken care of it.
 

1journeyman

Active Member
Originally Posted by T316
I have never removed a dead fish. Clean-up crew has always taken care of it.
Depends on the size of the tank.
 

t316

Active Member
True...I'm not sure what tank size is in question here. I have a 270g. The snails seem to get to it before I even know about it anyway.
 
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