Why are my clown fish fins looking tattered?

Question

My gold bar clown fish fins are looking tattered. She does not have an anonome only live rock in the tank...is the anonome essential? Could this be why she is looking tattered? The only other things in the tank are snails and a hermit crab and regular crab which pretty much leave her alone.

Answer 1

Possibly a bacterial infection (fin rot). See the link at the end for treatment recommendations. Since this is bacterial, the problem may be able to be remedied just by more frequent water changes, or an antibiotic may be needed (in the event that you use an antibiotic, remember this will disrupt the "good" bateria in your tank, causing ammonia and nitrite to increase - better to treat using medications in a separate tank). Also if there is live rock in the tank and the clown swims around through the rock (especially if it's being harrassed and has to duck into cover quickly) it could be physical damage. It could also be damabe from the "regular" crab. Even arrow, Sally lightfoot, and emerald crabs will go after smaller fish. If it's a "box" type crab (one that looks like the type of crabs you eat), these are real fish eaters and it should be taken out of the tank.

Clownfish don't need anemones to thrive - and the anemones require very intense lighting to do well (minimum of compact fluorescent or T-5 lighting system).

Answer 2

Clown fish are salt-water fish.They need anemones to protect themselves.The anemones are like tentacles but have a gooey moisture on it.Anemones are real living creatures that can only be homes to Clown Fish. If there are dangerous fish that can harm or maybe kill the clown fish, I would suggest that you try to get rid of them or get a fresh-water tank like me.The fish last longer and you have to make the salt water that might be a little too much salt.The water might evaporate if there is a light over the tank.But since there is probably a glass to protect the fish from jumping out, the light might make the water cloudy. I think you should get a fresh-water tank because its fresh water.It is only cloudy when you clean the tank. I know only lizards lose their tail but still live,and they grow back,too.As I said in the beginning, I have a lot of fish who lose their tail when they are dead.Sorry about the fish. :( I know what's like to lose a pet you love so dearly.

Answer 3

Clowns don't need anemones, so that's not the problem. Could be a disease called fin rot, or the crabs could be getting the fish when the lights are out.