55+ Gallon Acrylic Tank in Oakland Chinatown

[Darkxerox]

I only tried Nori recently because she didn't eat anything else. Normally I give pellets (about 10 for the tank) in the morning and one pipet of brine shrimp/water mixture at night.

From what you detailed, I probably have been giving too much so I'll I'll actually scale it back. I've been getting some algae growing at the bottom so I'm sure that's a contributing factor.

Thanks for sharing that your fish also has some odd swimming behavior as it wakes up. That reassures me a bit more, but I'm definitely going to go get some of mysis this weekend.

Try one of the mixed foods like Rod's or LRS fish frenzy since there's different types of prey mixed up in there. See if that gets the fish going.

 

[Coral reefer]

Thanks for the insight. Nothing to be concerned about then it seems? Will read up more on sponges.

They can def irritate corals if they are growing up inbetween the polyps. I would remove with tweezers underwater. Don’t touch the zoas with your hands and don’t let them squirt you. Especially in the eye or mouth

 

[Mohan Kanungo]

They can def irritate corals if they are growing up inbetween the polyps. I would remove with tweezers underwater. Don’t touch the zoas with your hands and don’t let them squirt you. Especially in the eye or mouth

Thanks for the recommendation!

 

[derek_SR]

Is there some surface agitation happening somewhere? The water looks super still in the pics. Fish will swim at the surface if they are lacking oxygen. How is the clown doing?

 

[Mohan Kanungo]

I have an overflow in the back of the tank and then a sump below. I read online that fish swim at the surface when they're low on oxygen so I've also been running an air stone since I noticed her behavior. I also have kept the top off a bit and opened up the sump area below so more oxygen can flow.

She isn't eating still as of this morning. I plan to go on Saturday to get some different types of food. Maybe I'll point up some of my return valves so that it creates some more surface break to help with more oxygen.

 

[Kensington Reefer]

What is your turnover rate for the sump pump?
If it’s at least 5 times the volume, you should not need an air stone

 

[Turkeysammich]

Yeah. Not a fan of that long lock line. Maybe not enough surface agitation.

 

[derek_SR]

Note that airstones don't necessarily create a lot of oxygen - they oxygenate via surface agitation like everything else, the underwater bubbles do very little. So if it's not creating much surface agitation it isn't doing much.

Seems like you should be OK with water flowing through an overflow weir and a sump, but fish swimming at the surface and gasping is like the hallmark sign of low oxygen. Do you have any flow pumps in the tank?

 

[B the Nano Reefer]

Try this food (or the flakes version). Best pellet/flake food out there IMO, cheap and available at nearly every pet store

Omega One

 

[BAYMAC]

Try Reef Nutrition's TDO. One of the top dressings really entices fish to eat.

Note that airstones don't necessarily create a lot of oxygen - they oxygenate via surface agitation like everything else, the underwater bubbles do very little. So if it's not creating much surface agitation it isn't doing much.

Seems like you should be OK with water flowing through an overflow weir and a sump, but fish swimming at the surface and gasping is like the hallmark sign of low oxygen. Do you have any flow pumps in the tank?

I didn't see where he said it was gasping. If its not gasping, if they're all not gasping, its not o2 related. Without testing you won't be able to guess it. Its very common when fish aren't happy to swim near the surface,

 

[Mohan Kanungo]

Note that airstones don't necessarily create a lot of oxygen - they oxygenate via surface agitation like everything else, the underwater bubbles do very little. So if it's not creating much surface agitation it isn't doing much.

Seems like you should be OK with water flowing through an overflow weir and a sump, but fish swimming at the surface and gasping is like the hallmark sign of low oxygen. Do you have any flow pumps in the tank?

I do not at the moment. I thought I had more than enough with the sump and overflow. I will look into some though to ensure there's enough surface agitation.

 

[Mohan Kanungo]

What is your turnover rate for the sump pump?
If it’s at least 5 times the volume, you should not need an air stone

My pump is rates for 800 GPH. My tank is no more than 75 Gallons including the overflow and sump. I do have the entry point for the pump closed as much as it allows because the flow seemed to be too much when it was full throttle.

 

[Mohan Kanungo]

Hi Everyone - Thank you all for your recommendations and insights.

QUICK UPDATE - Today, my clown has moved to different areas of the tank, but now she is swimming up and then turning on her back, as if she's doing a back flip.

It is hard to capture with just a photo, so here's also a link to a video: https://photos.app.goo.gl/ZNtkX6w3TUHh12S1A

Anyone see this behavior before?

 

[Mohan Kanungo]

Hi Everyone - Thank you all for your recommendations and insights.

QUICK UPDATE - Today, my clown has moved to different areas of the tank, but now she is swimming up and then turning on her back, as if she's doing a back flip.

It is hard to capture with just a photo, so here's also a link to a video: https://photos.app.goo.gl/ZNtkX6w3TUHh12S1A

Anyone see this behavior before?

Bad news. Just since posting this a few minutes ago I've noticed her now hanging out the bottom of the tank. Not sure if there's anything I can do now.

 

[Mohan Kanungo]

Bad news. Just since posting this a few minutes ago I've noticed her now hanging out the bottom of the tank. Not sure if there's anything I can do now.

Now she got up and is doing backflips again but if anyone has any recommendations on how to triage, please let me know.

 

[derek_SR]

75g tank is a lot of water to not have any wave pumps in there. Get some flow going - flow is life.

As for the clownfish - doesn’t look good.

 

[derek_SR]

Try Reef Nutrition's TDO. One of the top dressings really entices fish to eat.



I didn't see where he said it was gasping. If its not gasping, if they're all not gasping, its not o2 related. Without testing you won't be able to guess it. Its very common when fish aren't happy to swim near the surface,

He did say it was gasping in post #29, but I agree it could certainly be other things.

Something is certainly wrong with the fish beyond simply being disinterested in food, IMO. But also agree TDO is great!

 

[Kensington Reefer]

I recommend taking a video of your tank and the system.
Take it to HTA or AC
Maybe they can get a better feel for what’s happening in there

 

[Darkxerox]

I recommend taking a video of your tank and the system.
Take it to HTA or AC
Maybe they can get a better feel for what’s happening in there

He posted it here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/ZNtkX6w3TUHh12S1A

I think the fish has a swim bladder issue, likely dying.

 

[Kensington Reefer]

The storm clownfish is most likely a goner
But I’m not convinced there’s enough flow in there (I could be wrong, it’s happened before)
Is there a skimmer in the system?