Need advice for my clownfish who I noticed is not eating brine shrimp and is mouth breathing

[SparksterRocketKnight]

So I have a problem and decided to finally try to use this site for some help as a lot of the posts I read on here are very helpful. Occer Clown, Got him 2 weeks ago and was fine. Eating correctly, and was wandering the tank with high energy. Recently did a water change and did the usual, measured salt, put in stress coat to rid tap of bad stuff. Nitrate and phosphate levels are very low. Seems to breathe heavily and only hang around my royal gramma in one area, which appears fine. Heres a short video so you can have a look at him:

 

[SparksterRocketKnight]

So I have a problem and decided to finally try to use this site for some help as a lot of the posts I read on here are very helpful. Occer Clown, Got him 2 weeks ago and was fine. Eating correctly, and was wandering the tank with high energy. Recently did a water change and did the usual, measured salt, put in stress coat to rid tap of bad stuff. Nitrate and phosphate levels are very low. Seems to breathe heavily and only hang around my royal gramma in one area, which appears fine. Heres a short video so you can have a look at him

 

[WalkerLovesTheOcean]

Welcome to Reef2reef.

There's no video attached.

Using tap water is concerning. A "stress coat" doesn't do much if it even does anything, and I believe most are used for freshwater tanks. Pollutants can easily find their way into your tank, which then could be deadly to the organisms in the tank. Invest in a good RO/DI filter.

Hopefully a #fishmedic will assist you shortly.

 

[SparksterRocketKnight]

the video thing should be resolved now, hopefully it helps

 

[Sharkbait19]

Welcome to the forum!
Try adding the video as a YouTube link - it tends to work better.
Did the clown start acting off immediately after the water change or was there some time in between? Any recent changes to the tank?

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

If your salt is "measured", does that mean you don't have a salinity testing tool? You really need a salinity testing device, and should always test the salinity of new water, not just measure.

The clown is stressed I agree.

How is the water oxygenated? What size of tank is that? What type of filtration are you running? Are those fake corals in the tank? What other fish are in the tank? Can we see a full tank pic please?

 

[eliaslikesfish]

@Jay Hemdal
@vetteguy53081

 

[vetteguy53081]

So I have a problem and decided to finally try to use this site for some help as a lot of the posts I read on here are very helpful. Occer Clown, Got him 2 weeks ago and was fine. Eating correctly, and was wandering the tank with high energy. Recently did a water change and did the usual, measured salt, put in stress coat to rid tap of bad stuff. Nitrate and phosphate levels are very low. Seems to breathe heavily and only hang around my royal gramma in one area, which appears fine. Heres a short video so you can have a look at him:

Part of issue may be use of tap water in which stress coat not very effective - best is amquel or Prime by seachem for control of heavy metals in tap water.
What gage are you using for salt measurement which may need calibration?
How are you measuring levels?

 

[SparksterRocketKnight]

Part of issue may be use of tap water in which stress coat not very effective - best is amquel or Prime by seachem for control of heavy metals in tap water.
What gage are you using for salt measurement which may need calibration?
How are you measuring levels?

I do have the tool needed for measuring salt, put your eye thru it and hold it up to light. I have been using tap and recently did a large water change. Due to money issues rn we have only been using stress coat and were not aware of better products out there until we can get an ro/di filter. We have also been putting up with tank leakages, and because we once again cant afford to drain the entire tank as of the moment and seal the inside, we have been using flex seal on the outside to seal any cracks that have been getting thru, though its been a constant problem as they seem to pop back up after a week or so.

 

[SparksterRocketKnight]

I do have the tool needed for measuring salt, put your eye thru it and hold it up to light. I have been using tap and recently did a large water change. Due to money issues rn we have only been using stress coat and were not aware of better products out there until we can get an ro/di filter. We have also been putting up with tank leakages, and because we once again cant afford to drain the entire tank as of the moment and seal the inside, we have been using flex seal on the outside to seal any cracks that have been getting thru, though its been a constant problem as they seem to pop back up after a week or so.

Im starting to theorize that the tank is unsalvageable and we will need to get a new one sooner or later. I really should have not listened to my brother on that regard when we first got the tank and actually go thru and heavy seal the entire thing, because one side of our aquarium water always finds a way out after we seal the side after a week or 2, but thats another problem entirely

 

[SparksterRocketKnight]

If your salt is "measured", does that mean you don't have a salinity testing tool? You really need a salinity testing device, and should always test the salinity of new water, not just measure.

The clown is stressed I agree.

How is the water oxygenated? What size of tank is that? What type of filtration are you running? Are those fake corals in the tank? What other fish are in the tank? Can we see a full tank pic please?

 

[Jmcg89]

Im starting to theorize that the tank is unsalvageable and we will need to get a new one sooner or later. I really should have not listened to my brother on that regard when we first got the tank and actually go thru and heavy seal the entire thing, because one side of our aquarium water always finds a way out after we seal the side after a week or 2, but thats another problem entirely

I can't imagine flex seal is very good for fish lol I'm not sure it is another problem entirely, if it's sealing a leak it is touching and getting in the water.
If you cant afford an r/o you could buy fresh or salt water from a fish store.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I do have the tool needed for measuring salt, put your eye thru it and hold it up to light. I have been using tap and recently did a large water change. Due to money issues rn we have only been using stress coat and were not aware of better products out there until we can get an ro/di filter. We have also been putting up with tank leakages, and because we once again cant afford to drain the entire tank as of the moment and seal the inside, we have been using flex seal on the outside to seal any cracks that have been getting thru, though its been a constant problem as they seem to pop back up after a week or so.

OK- that tool is known as a refractometer. Please have your lfs calibrate it for you and verify salinity. Better products- Seachem Prime or Amquel.
If you want to attempt to fix your tank, im happy to send you easy instructions. You will need a tube of Aqueon or marineland Tank sealant

 

[newfishhobbiest]

my suggestion would be to take the fish and give it to the local fish store if they are willing to take it in and quarantine and help it heal. Break down the tank and look on craigslists you will find lots of people giving away free fish tanks and start from fresh.

 

[SparksterRocketKnight]

OK- that tool is known as a refractometer. Please have your lfs calibrate it for you and verify salinity. Better products- Seachem Prime or Amquel.
If you want to attempt to fix your tank, im happy to send you easy instructions. You will need a tube of Aqueon or marineland Tank sealant

That would be great. We will try anything to try to salvage this mess of a fish tank

 

[SparksterRocketKnight]

my suggestion would be to take the fish and give it to the local fish store if they are willing to take it in and quarantine and help it heal. Break down the tank and look on craigslists you will find lots of people giving away free fish tanks and start from fresh.

We will, thanks. We got this fish tank from the FB marketplace and we were not prepared for how many flaws it had, 210 bucks too

 

[newfishhobbiest]

I am here in New Jersey and most clown fish usually are $29 to $50, so that is definitely crazy price.

We will, thanks. We got this fish tank from the FB marketplace and we were not prepared for how many flaws it had, 210 bucks too

The Fish Tanks also go for $50 to $150 on craigslist for some really decent ones

 

[vetteguy53081]

Ok, for now , utilize a clean rubbe

That would be great. We will try anything to try to salvage this mess of a fish tank

Ok, for now, utilize a clean Rubbermaid like tub to place livestock into and add aeration and wash tank out well and allow to dry
Will send you info

 

[SparksterRocketKnight]

Welcome to the forum!
Try adding the video as a YouTube link - it tends to work better.
Did the clown start acting off immediately after the water change or was there some time in between? Any recent changes to the tank?

Heres the youtube video for anyone who wants to take a closer look.

 

[SparksterRocketKnight]

Part of issue may be use of tap water in which stress coat not very effective - best is amquel or Prime by seachem for control of heavy metals in tap water.
What gage are you using for salt measurement which may need calibration?
How are you measuring levels?

I went ahead and bought some prime. Hopefully that does something