We rescued this clown from Petco on Saturday. He was knocking on deaths door. Very emaciated, by far the smallest in the tank - so bullied, cloudy body. Once transferred to our hospital tank his color improved, he eats well and his body is gaining shape. He has this cloudy eye however, trying to determine the best treatment option. We feel comfortable now to start treatment as he’s made it several days, eating and gaining weight. Please help, he’s a fighter and we want to do all we can!
What treatment? Clownfish rescue
- Thread starter Cpost
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Vincelovesfish
Well-known member
- Location
- Southeast Wisconsin
Is this fish in copper? Maracyn 1 or 2 contain antibiotics that are best for treating eye infections however copper is an immunosuppressant so fish have a hard time fighting infections in it.
No
No treatment currently/no copper. We wanted to give him a few days before we started anything. He was basically a skeleton.
Humblefish
Dr. Fish
- Location
- Wandering Nomad
As Vince stated, I would start treatment for the cloudy eye by using Maracyn 1 (Erythromycin) or alternatively Seachem Kanaplex.
Thank you! We’ll grab and start tomorrow!
Humblefish
Dr. Fish
- Location
- Wandering Nomad
Yes
Please advise!!!Yes
My husband grabbed Maracyn and dosed yesterday afternoon. By the time I got home for work things looked bleak. His entire face was cloudy, tail cloudy and in the right angles I was convinced I could see flaking on his face. Heavy breathing and occasional flicking, I was sure it’s actually Brook. I was worried if he’d even survive the night. Without much thought and working quickly with research, we did a 30 minute peroxide bath, 3 minute FW dip and dosed General Cure in the QT (only treatment on hand with metro). Husband ordered Formalin but that’s a few days out unfortunately. I know I’m supposed to dose again in 48 hours (tomorrow). I see peroxide baths are 6 days apart. Would a good regime be to continue dosing general cure for the 6 days, then do the second peroxide bath? Another question, can I dose something to clear the ammonia or should I just do a water change in that time? We typically change water every third day or so to keep ammonia at bay.
He looks better this morning, this little guy is seriously a fighter! I’m considering changing his name to Rocky. I very much appreciate your guidance. Thank you!
Humblefish
Dr. Fish
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- Wandering Nomad
@Cpost A single peroxide bath should knock Brook back quite a bit. I wouldn't keep dosing General Cure as that medication also contains praziquantel which fish shouldn't be exposed to as often as metronidazole. I would wait for the formalin to arrive, and dose that @ 1 ml per 10 gallons daily in a bare aquarium for 7-10 days.
Thank you so much!!!!!!
Sorry follow up, just to be clear. When the formalin comes. Dose daily the recommended amount. When do we water change? And can we use the clarifyer to control the ammonia?
also, should I do 100% water change when I get home from work to get him out of the GC? (I think the answer is yes but I prefer to not assume)
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Sorry follow up, just to be clear. When the formalin comes. Dose daily the recommended amount. When do we water change? And can we use the clarifyer to control the ammonia?
also, should I do 100% water change when I get home from work to get him out of the GC? (I think the answer is yes but I prefer to not assume)
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Humblefish
Dr. Fish
- Location
- Wandering Nomad
You can do water changes as needed to control ammonia. Just try to time them to occur right before re-dosing formalin. @Dierks might be able to answer whether or not you can use an ammonia reducer w/formalin in the water.
The fish can remain in GC water until the formalin arrives (just don't keep redosing it). Before dosing formalin, do at least a 25% water change to remove any residuals lingering from when GC was in the water. Most of the medication itself should be out by then... probably only the solubilizing agent will remain in the water.
Yup we have been using the combo for folks that have had to go down that path, and trust me if you re going to use it you will see ammonia.
Thank you @Dierks !!Yup we have been using the combo for folks that have had to go down that path, and trust me if you re going to use it you will see ammonia.
@Humblefish, I think my eyes are starting to cross with all the great info on here. Two questions,
What is your current "go to treatment for a clown with brook.?
What is better, A Formalin dip or as a daily continues dose in a QT tank. Is there a pro/con to each method?
My wife and are are learning by fire after this Petco rescue fish. I think we are more stocked with treatment meds than most LFS. Although the Formalin is delayed with shipment. The peroxide bath definitely has gotten us some valuable time and the fish seems to be doing great. Just wondering how to proceed.
Humblefish
Dr. Fish
- Location
- Wandering Nomad
Either a Formalin or H2O2 bath will provide temporary relief prior to the fish entering QT.
Once in QT, I would dose Metronidazole every 48 hours for 10-14 days to be 100% sure that Brook is gone.
Glad the fish is eating. Hope that continues. In addition to the general recommendations in the Fish Nutrition post, I'd add supplements to its diet per the "ill fish" recommendations.
Good luck to you and the Clownfish!
Hi HF. Me again… after a week dosing metro he’s had ups and downs. Yesterday and today he’s been hanging out at the top at times, less movement at times and it looks like that facial cloudiness is becoming more noticeable again. He breathes very fast. I just did a Formalin bath. Attached pictures from this morning. Any thoughts? Could he have something other than Brook?Either a Formalin or H2O2 bath will provide temporary relief prior to the fish entering QT.
Once in QT, I would dose Metronidazole every 48 hours for 10-14 days to be 100% sure that Brook is gone.
