Ill Clownfish, Help me!

[chelz12]

I have a Tomatoe Clownfish that I recently brought to college with me from home. I have had the fish for almost a year and it has always been a happy, healthy fish. It is living in a 20 gallon aquariumnow, it used to live in a 55 gal. All levels in the tank are normal. The fish has been in this aquarium for a few days now and has been swimming happily, but I noticed today that it was laying on the floor of the aquarium, gasping for air and looks as though it's body cavity is filling up with fluid. I don't know what it is and I have tried looking but can't seem to come up with anything. Can someone help me if it isn't too late?
~Chelz

 

[kaingers]

You might just need more oxygen exchange. Make sure your filter is dropping atleast an inch to the water surface to create bubbles. I would also check the salinity of the water. Your tank parameters would help. How long has the tank been setup?

 

[melypr1985]

Bubbles are a no-no in saltwater. You want surface agitation. You want like a powerhead pointed up at the surface of the water to really mix things up. The more agitation of the surface the better the gas exchange and the more oxygen in the water.

 

[rlablan]

Is this tank cycled? You said it has only been in this tank for days?? Is there are LR in there? and is there sand or what?
Also, outside of the HOB filter, what other equipment do you have on this tank?
And what are normal levels?? Can we get some specifics, without those, it's kind of a shot in the dark. And a picture might help also... I don't quite understand what you mean by "filled with fluid"

 

[kaingers]

"Bubbles are a no-no in saltwater. You want surface agitation"
If all you have on your tank is a HOB filter, increasing the height the water drops to the water surface not only creates more surface agitation, it increases the oxygen in the water. What do you think protein skimmers do? create bubbles, increasing the oxygen levels in the water.

 

[wargalley20011]

If it's still alive by now, get it to a LFS so they can examine, and QT it. Your fish went from an established tank to a new tank. How long has this new tank been established, or cycled? Clowns aren't goldfish. I waited almost three months before adding clownfish to my 16 gl bowfront.