sick clown?

[candwill]

I noticed my clown acting funny this morning. He is almost acting like he is choking on something. He is breathing a little heavier than normal, and wont close his mouth at all. He also didn't eat this evening. Other than that, he is hiding a little more than normal, but no other strange behavior. All of my other fish seem fine. I have also tested my water twice today, and my PH was a little low and my ammonia was a little high (PH 8.0, nitrate and nitrite 0, ammonia .25). Can anyone help me figure out what is going on? I'm just afraid he is choking or something.

 

[sepulatian]

Do you know why you have ammonia? Has something died or is this a new system? When was the last time you checked your readings prior to today?

 

[candwill]

I last checked the levels about 3 or 4 days ago before I put two new fish in the tank. I don't know if this could have caused the ammonia or not. It's not really a new system. I've had it set up for about 8 or so months now, but just started adding fish a little while ago. This fish is the only one I had prior to setting up this tank.

 

[sepulatian]

What size is the tank and what new fish did you add? The clown that is acting odd is not new correct? What else is in the tank? LR & LS?

 

[candwill]

It's a 55 gallon FOWLR, LS, (not sure the amount of LR). The fish that have been added were a flame angel and another clown (they have gotten along very well). I also added a purple tang before those two, but after about a week or so I took him back to the store. (hadn't found this website yet so I didn't realize the tang shouldn't be in there) I have had the fish that is acting strange for about 6 months or so.