Clownfish has passed...Questions inside, looking for advice

[chuckawd]

Hello everyone. I bought 2 ocellaris clownfish exactly a week ago today and the bigger of the two is doing perfectly fine. The smaller one is not. He died overnight and I scooped him out this morning. I noticed some symptoms earlier in the day yesterday and it wasn't looking good so I'm looking for advice on what happened, what can I do to prevent this from happening again, and if I should QT my other clown.
History: I acclimated both of the clowns properly as per the float method then turkey basted the water for about an hour. We then released the fish into the aquarium and they were happy. A few days later after they had settled I noticed the smaller clown was sticking to the bottom of one corner. Then, on his face, red spots started showing up which looked like the spots were under his skin. His breathing increased over a 48 hour period from normal to incredibly fast (2-3 breaths/sec). He wouldn't eat anything either. Last night after lights off I noticed he was turning pale, losing his color, and breathing even faster. I got up around 3am thins morning to check on him and he was dead. I feel so bad but I want to make sure this doesn't happen again. My other clown (the bigger one) is doing perfectly fine and is eating like a champ.
Symptoms: Red spots on face under skin, rapidly increasing breathing, slow movements, death.
Thoughts: There were no white spots on his skin any where so I'm moving ich. The tank is quite good minus 20ppm nitrates, 0 ammonia and nitrites, perfect pH 8.2. All other life in the aquarium is thriving so I'm thinking it was either stress or a parasite of some sort. If it is a parasite or infection of some kind, I'm going to be setting up a QT tonight to get ready for the next time I have a sick fish (which I hope is never but it's inevitable).
What are your thoughts on my clownfish? I want to replace him but I want to be sure my tank is clear and not infected before I do so. Thank you for any help.

 

[bang guy]

The red spots are throwing me off. Everything else sounds like classic Brooklynella. If that's what it is watch your other Clownfish very closely for the next couple of weeks.

 

[chuckawd]

The spots we forming around his face and mouth. It almost looked like little blood blisters under his skin. If it is Brook, I will be QT the other clown for the time being. Thanks for the tip and any other thoughts are greatly appreciated!! Any superb links for details on Brook?

 

[bang guy]

Try looking in the Fish Disease & Treatment Forum. There's a picture of a Tang with a bacteria infection that might also be a possibility.
If it's a bacteria infection that would explain why the other Clownfish didn't get sick.

 

[chuckawd]

The other clownfish is still doing perfectly. Eating well and swimming all overr the place. None of the symptoms are on the remaining fish which is a good sign. Where would this issue have come from? Stress? I want to replace the deceased fish but if there's a problem with the whole batch at the LFS, I want to avoid buying there.

 

[chuckawd]

Well my other clownfish is starting to show the same signs as the one that passed however, it's still eating. It's breathing is increasing and there are a few small red spots. I'm beginngin to think that it's something in my tank causing the problem. I talked to the owner of the LFS where I purchased the two clowns and he said it was most likely stress from the stupid yellow tail damsel I have. His argument was that it couldn't be Brook or Ich because he has had thie stock of clownfish that I purchased from for a few months and hasn't lost any fish yet. He figured that, if it was a disease or infection, all of his clowns he has for sale would also get sick and die too. Any other thoughts out there? The damsel fish is doing perfectly fine and eats a plenty but sometimes, he steals food from the clown but I always make sure the clown get some as well. Thanks for any advice.

 

[chuckawd]

Another clownfish dead sadly. It has to be Brook because my second, healthier clown went from good to dead in less than a day. It really sucks. I'm wondering where they got Brook and if it's something in my tank that is causing it. My tank is spotless, all test are ok, my fish are well fed etc. I'm starting th wonder where Brook could have come from and whether or not I should buy more clowns right now or wait a while? I'm setting up a 10 gallon QT as we speak so I can start using that tank to get my new fish and corals used to the water conditions.

 

[btldreef]

I'm not convinced it's Brooklynella if other fish in the tank, specifically a damsel is fine.
Get rid of that damsel. I'm thinking it's aggression from the damsel.

 

[koala 17]

I also think it is the damsel, I recently acquired a small clown, I have had my current clown for about 1 year now. At the same time I also added 3 green chromis, the small clown did OK for about a day then started breathing hard and staying at the bottom of the tank and not eating, I thought it was stress from being shipped, after three days it died. Then the other clown started exhibiting the same signs and had nips out of his fins. I took out the chromsis because they are damsels after all and later that day my clown was back to normal. I added another clown from the LFS it has been about a week now all both the clowns are doing fine. I hope this helps

 

[chuckawd]

I will be removing the damsel ASAP especially before I get any more fish. I will be moving up to a 30 gallon in a few weeks also. The more I think about it, it must be the darn damsel causing all of the stress because it was a constant struggle for the clowns to get food even though they did. Luckily, my LFS will take the Damsel and give me a few dollars credit towards some new livestock. Thanks for all the help everyone!! My stock list for the 30 gallon will be full reef with 2 clowns and 1 bangaii cardinal so hopefully all will be peaceful in the tank after the damsel is gone.

 

[ibew41]

in a 20g tank 2 damsels will pick on any fish you get,but in a 20g 2 fish is about all you can keep 3 max unless you have a sump and good skimmer the 30g will definitely help