Help, I Bought A Sick Clown!

[laurabolyard]

I broke my own rule about seeing a fish eat before buying. I would have avoided all of this because he hasnt eaten a bite since I bought him about 10 days ago. He is in QT, I added several doses of stress coat. LFS suggested melafix. Fish hasnt shown any signs of improvement. SYMPTOMS: not interested in food, anal white string hangs down, occasional white bump on bottom lip, now one on side. LFS first said stress/bacteria, I suspected internal parasites. LFS now says possible amonia burn or cycnide poisoning. Noe I am really upset, saleskid had said that it was not live caught, now I am told that they dont know. ANY HELP on possible illness, possible treatment would be appreciated. I am probably running out of time. Thanks

[quenton]

Would help if you could post a picture -- if you have a digital camera.

Clown?? what kind -- clown loach?? If so, they tend to be a bit touchy.

Sounds like it could be bacterial, fungal, parasite -- not enough info to decide.
If not white spots, then not ich or velvet, so we are left with other kinds of parasite
or bacterial or fungal as I said. I don't believe the amonia burn or cyanide.

You could try salt -- 2tsp per gallon -- should not affect anything else.
You could add with that an antibiotic (e.g. marycin). You code also add
a fungacide. I would certainly start with the salt, its simple and does not usually
have a nasty effect on other things.

You should probably be concerned about anythin else you have in the same tank, if anything, a clown loach is likely to show signs or problems before anything else.

[laurabolyard]

I should have mentioned: a true percula. her color is good,, fins are good. she is in QT. Bit of a breathing struggle.

[laurabolyard]

I notice a reddish/brown spot where the white bump WAS on her lower lip. She seems to be struggling less to swim today, less frantic, though maybe just exhausted.

[Lorna]

could be broolynella though it usually takes them quicker. Is she swimming around alot or just staying in one spot?

[laurabolyard]

mostly staying in one spot. color and skin/fins look good. that white bump that became a brown/red spot looks more like a wound now. I have done soooo mch research and I cannot find what might be wrong with her. Any ideas?

[born2lovefish]

Sorry I thought you meant clown loach. I missed the part about saltwater clown. Sorry but I do not have much experience with saltwater. You could get online wwwdrsfostersmith.com and go to the live help and ask them. They probably can help you out.