Dwarf Angelfish Or Clownfish?

[dixaisy930]

Currently in my 29 gallon, I have a neon goby, clown goby, and a sixline wrasse. I do not have a protein skimmer - just a H.O.T Magnum, and live rock. I have a few "beginner" type corals, live zoos and xenia, and don't plan to get any coral much more care intensive. I would like to add possibly some type of dwarf angelfish (probably a coral beauty), and/or a false percula clown. Would this be possible, or am I already fully stocked? Or would they not work the other three fish?

 

[N1z]

Should be fine with both m8, if u was to get clowns get a pair just works better

 

[SkiFletch]

From a fish and a stocking compatability standpoint, you can put either in there. I would be hesitant of the angel though as some individuals develop a taste for corals. If you're never planning on addint corals in there (especially stony ones) you would prolly be OK with the coral beauty. If you do ever have plans of encrusting LPS or SPS, the angel is a risk.

 

[dixaisy930]

Would the pair of clowns and angel be too much?

 

[SkiFletch]

Both, probably too much. One or the other OK

 

[dixaisy930]

I went to the lfs last night, and the little clownfish just suckered me in. I brought home two very wiggly little clowns. When I first set up my saltwater tank, I had my heart set on never getting clowns - since they were so popular. But I can see why they are so popular - so much personality! However, when I got them home, I noticed one has a few slightly "milky" spots on his skin, and one of the fins is a little torn. They are both in QT right now. I'm guessing parasites? I called the lfs, and they said I could bring him back. But the two I got seemed to be sort of buddies at the lfs, and I'd hate to split them up. I told them this, so they said they'd provide any meds I need, and if I do end up loosing either one, or both, I could get two replacements. I thought that sounded fair. So, I have formalin, PraziPro, antibiotics, colodial silver....what sounds like the best route?

 

[SkiFletch]

Clownfish disease. Mine had it too. Its a protozoan parasite which is not responsive to copper treatment. Formalin/malachite green are the medical treatments of choice.

When my little guy had it I did not treat and instead concentrated on a varied diet with garlic laced foods, good water quality and a low-stress environment to allow the fish's immune system to do its thing. In general from what I've read of the disease its either exceptionally virulent and will kill the poor guys in 24-48 hours or its relatively slow-moving and if the fish is provided with a good environment, they can beat it themselves. Make sure you aerate your water in QT even though it'll be a PITA with salt creep cause the protzoans attack the gills and make breathing difficult for clowns with the disease. You also might want to consider slowly lowering your specific gravity in QT to 1.017-1.021 as most protozoan parasites are slowed by lower sg.

 

[dixaisy930]

Would just a formalin dip be beneficial, along with what you recommended? Are there foods already laced with garlic, or will I need to do it? If I need to do it, what's the best way to go about it?

 

[SkiFletch]

Its tough to really comment when I'm 2000 miles away and can't directly observe the fish. I would not advocate dipping of any form as in my experience with the disease, stress greatly inflamed its symptoms. If it were my fish and after 12 hours the symptoms had not worsened, I would treat with garlic food, stable water conditions and a stress-free environment. If after 12 hours the symptoms worsened, I'd start formalin/malachite treatment as per the reccomendations on the bottle. There are some foods you can buy that are laced with garlic. I just added some myself though. I fed my clowns a mixture of frozen brine, mysis, and bloodworms. I put the chunks of frozen in a shotglass, dissolved them with a dash of DI water and added a pinch of garlic powder. Let that sit for 20 minutes and then fed it to the fish. It took two weeks before the little guys were mostly recovered but they're doing great now.

Seeing that I've only had one personal experience with the disease I'd hate to steer you wrong, but that did work for me

 

[dixaisy930]

Unfortunately, I lost the little guy this morning. I went to the lfs this afternoon, and received a replacement. There were about three other clowns with the same symptoms as my guy, so he put them in a hospital tank. I scrutinized the other's over and picked out another one, similar size to the one I lost. The lfs guy looked it over real well too. Well, now I looked at the little guy again, and his stomach area looks odd. It's sort of a beige-ish color. The lfs guy had just fed them before I got there, so I'm wondering if it is just a stomach full of brine. Is this possible?

My other one isn't eating as well as I'd like him to. He'll swim up to the frozen mysis or bloodworms with alot of enthusiasm, but he usually turns up his nose once he figures out what it is. I think maybe he's just spoiled on live brine. Is it possible/probable?

 

[xNOTLOCx]

hmm I have both, and I think as long as you have enough you can get both but I wouldnt really suggest a clown pair if they start breeding the eggs will cause high nitrates leaving more water changes and work for you, once they start they dont stop.