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My question is, i have a perc clown that is ill for some reason. He is hovering in place, gently swaying from side to side. The water quality is good, except for the ammonia which is at .20 . He seems to be breathing a bit heavy. There are no obviose signs of illness or trauma, other then the excess breathing. Please help with advice or knowledge. This is my favorite fish and will do anything to prevent death. I thought it could be the amonia, but my other fish are fine. I have been doing more water changes and have added aquarium salt for added electorlites.

thanks
john

I don't think you should be adding aquarium salt to a salt water tank. I seem to remember it's a slightly different salt, but I could be wrong.

I would put my money on the ammonia levels. Water changes should drop the levels. how long has this tank been running? How much live rock, how big, any other tank mates?

Dan


Dan

"I don't think you should be adding aquarium salt to a salt water tank. I seem to remember it's a slightly different salt, but I could be wrong."

If I remember correctly, the main difference is that typical aquarium salt lacks the minerals and additives of commercial dry sea salt. I agree, it has no business in marine fish tank. The salt already in the water is all you'll need.

I also agree about the ammonia levels. Ammonia is very bad for fish, and is likely the reason that your clown is having problems. You should have no ammonia in your fish tank after the initial cycle, so get rid of it as soon as you can.

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

ok, i have been doing water changes to get rid of the amonia. If it is the amonia, i was wondering why it hasnt taken effect on my other fish ( 2 damsels and a yellow tang)? thanks for the advice

john

Just chance. Apparently they're all more resistant to the ammonia than the clownfish is. Damsels are some of the toughest fish you can buy for a marine tank, and the yellow tang is one of the hardiest tang species.

Out of curiosity, what kind of test kit did you use to get your ammonia figures?

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And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

i am using a test kit by aquarium pharmaceuticals, inc. Its in a yellow box, and you add a total of sixteen drops of two diffrent liquids to determine the level of ammonia. i was told that perc clowns are hardy fish is this true. For future referance, what fish are hardier then clownfish?

Clowns are another damsel, and are very hardy. It was just teh first to be effected by the ammonia.

Dan


Dan

Yes, your ammonia is deadly high. Ammonia is dangerous to SW fish. Ammonia blocks the uptake of oxygen by the hemonglobin in the fishes' blood. And since the clowns are very active fish, they use more oxygen on a regular basis. And you state that he is still active, but breathing heavy. So I would say that the ammonia if the culprit in this case.

My next question is, why is your ammonia so high? That is a very high reading, and a very dangerously high level. What is the complete stocking of your tank, both fish and their sizes? Also, how long has your tank been up and running?

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