True Percula Clown health question...

[Pegasis]

Hi All,

I bought a Mated Pair of True Percula Clowns and received them last wed (02/07)with a Ritteri Anemone. The Clowns ate and swam normally during the first 2 days. On the 3rd day the Clowns went to the Anemone and haven't left it since. When I feed the tank, I make sure the food gets in their area so they can eat and they do, especially the male.

I have noticed that the female seems to be breathing rapidly and shallowly (mouth and gill movement).

Is this a sign of a problem/disease? Is she ready to breed?

The tank specs are the same (all within reasonable specs). The other fish and animals are just fine, including the male Percula.

I would appreciate your input and experience.

Thank you.

Steven

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pegasis@concentric.net

[Alice]

Hi Steven;

How long have the clowns been in the tank now? And how big is the female? Is she still eating? Any other signs of distress or illness show up yet?

If the clowns aren't that big it could be that the "female" is just now starting to change sex from male to female. When my Maroon clown went "through the change" I didn't know what was wrong with her, thought I was going to lose her. Wouldn't eat, breathing fast, she got a slimy coating and her pigmentation got all splotchy. Within a few days she was fine other than the coloration which continued to darken, which is normal.

I hope that this is what is happening to your clown and that she isn't sick. I imagine that changing sex is rather stressful and I have a theory that some unexplained clown deaths are due to this.

HTH and keep watching for any other signs of disease.

~Alice

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Reefkeeping is my life; I can't afford a hobby too! My specs: www.thereeftank.com/ubb/Forum2/HTML/000029.html

[Pegasis]

Thanks Alice,

She seems to be getting better. Maybe she was just stressed wit a new environment. She is eating. She is protective of the anemone and looks good. Her breathing is more normal now. BTW, she is much larger than the male. I hope things are going to go more smoothly with them now.

Take care,

Steven

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pegasis@concentric.net