Clown Prego?

[Gaspipe]

So I have a 2.5"+ clown (18 months old) that I assume is a female. I added a much smaller clown about ~45 days ago. The little guy unfortunately did not make it and after 4 days passed.

March 22nd I added 3 new fish. A TSB, Orangeback Wrasse and a Purple Firefish. All three are doing very well and so is the Royal Gramma that I have had for 12 months+.

My clown has stopped eating and is no longer swimming around like he has in the past. Wed new fish added, Thur and Friday she was normal. Saturday she acted strange and stopped eating. She has a FAT belly. She always has but seems big right now. She can swim and isn't lying on the floor.

Could she have gotten prego from that small clown in a 4 day span? Or is this something else?
I see zero aggression and no torn fins on any of the fish.

Thank you in advance.

 

[Court_Appointed_Hypeman]

I don't think clowns expand noticeably when they are about to lay eggs, and they don't get pregnant.

 

[Sharkbait19]

Could you post some pics and a video? Sounds like there may be a constipation issue.

 

[Jekyl]

Do you quarantine your fish? My thoughts would be illness.

 

[vetteguy53081]

So I have a 2.5"+ clown (18 months old) that I assume is a female. I added a much smaller clown about ~45 days ago. The little guy unfortunately did not make it and after 4 days passed.

March 22nd I added 3 new fish. A TSB, Orangeback Wrasse and a Purple Firefish. All three are doing very well and so is the Royal Gramma that I have had for 12 months+.

My clown has stopped eating and is no longer swimming around like he has in the past. Wed new fish added, Thur and Friday she was normal. Saturday she acted strange and stopped eating. She has a FAT belly. She always has but seems big right now. She can swim and isn't lying on the floor.

Could she have gotten prego from that small clown in a 4 day span? Or is this something else?
I see zero aggression and no torn fins on any of the fish.

Thank you in advance.

Not sure how youre getting answers without any pics. Please provide pics under white lighting as I have 4 breeder clown pairs and have seen a pregnant clown too many times

 

[c_healy]

I don't think clowns expand noticeably when they are about to lay eggs, and they don't get pregnant.

Yes they do. The female will get bigger every day in the belly until she lays. The female holds 200-1000 eggs every spawn cycle.

saying that, I seriously doubt that’s what this is. She wouldn’t develop eggs without a bonded mate.

Op, we need some photos of the clownfish. And or a video in white lighting.

 

[CubsFan]

This explains a lot

 

[Gaspipe]

Understood...



Thank you again!

 

[Gaspipe]

Do you quarantine your fish? My thoughts would be illness.

I didn't QT. The other four fish seem to be ok.

 

[thatmanMIKEson]

Beautiful clown!

 

[vetteguy53081]

Im trying to see her under-belly. When eggbound, a little tube like protrusion starts to develop. Even with the male out of the picture a typical habit would be to clean the area here and there which video does not show BUT the belly is showing the same swelling my fertile females display.
Observe it daily to see if the selling appears to be increasing with the fish showing normal appetite.
One with swelling but no appetite may be enduring constipation. I also notice breathing os a little elevated- Confirm your ammonia and nitrate levels are not climbing

 

[Gaspipe]

I do not have an ammonia test.. but I just did full testing this weekend.

 

[Jekyl]

@Jay Hemdal

 

[Jay Hemdal]

Not sure how youre getting answers without any pics. Please provide pics under white lighting as I have 4 breeder clown pairs and have seen a pregnant clown too many times

My takeaway here is I’ve never had gravid clowns go off feed though - maybe the day they lay eggs, but otherwise, they still feed for me.
Jay

 

[dedragon]

Same as jay, my clownfish wont stop eating unless they are a few hours out from laying eggs and are cleaning non stop. I would assume something else is the problem

 

[Gaspipe]

I, like others here think it's constipation.

I'm going to follow @Humblefish recommendation he told me a while ago.

• 1 Tbsp food (preferably pellets or frozen food)
• 1 scoop (~ 1/8 teaspoon) of medication (General Cure)
• 1-2 scoops Seachem Focus (makes it reef safe + binds the medication)
• A pinch of Epsom salt to help expel dead worms/parasites
• A few drops of saltwater or fish vitamins
• Stir until a medicated food slurry has been achieved.
• Feed after soaking for 30 mins.
• Refrigerate or freeze any leftovers for future use.
• You can feed this mix 1-2 times per day. Not recommend to exceed 2 feedings per day with medicated food.
• Feed daily for 2-3 weeks, or until poop returns to a solid brown or green color (no white).

Does it help to also add KanaPlex and/or MetroPlex to the food?
I do have inverts and a cleaner shrimp in the tank.

 

[Gaspipe]

Friendly update...

3/29 Cheeto took a long poop, it was white but solid
3/30 Cheeto ate, not her normal self but ate
3/31 She is back, still fat but she is eating and racing to the top when food is dropped.

Thank you all for your input and advice!

Much appretiated.