Is my clown unwell?

[TurboKing]

I've just taken some photos of my fish for the first time tonight, and this one picture has me a bit worried - is my fish unwell?

He's still eating fine and acting normally, and to be honest, he looks perfectly normal to the naked eye - I don't see any of the weird colours that show up in the photo. Could this just be a bad photo?

[TurboKing]

I've isolated them in the quarantine tank as a precaution and started treatment with some meds. I'm hoping it's nothing serious, but I'd love to hear your thoughts - what do you think could be the issue here?

[swift_man]

I think it's just a reflection, possibly from the camera flash. Did you use flash when taking the photo, it could be causing the unusual colors.

[TurboKing]

Hi,
Thanks for the reply, I did use a flash - Nikon D60, standard flash at full power.

[swift_man]

I'm pretty sure it's just a reflection from the flash. If you can't see it with your own eyes, it's probably not something to worry about. Only special cameras that can see infrared and ultraviolet can pick up on things that are going on under the skin.

[TurboKing]

I'm starting to think it was indeed an illness all along. The condition's been deteriorating rapidly. It's visibly thinner now and its breathing's become extremely laboured. Most of its time is spent resting at the bottom of the tank, struggling to swim when it does try.

I've been using Waterlife treatment, but unfortunately, I'm not seeing any improvement. Can someone please offer some guidance, or is it more humane to put an end to its suffering?

[swift_man]

Sounds like he's only gone downhill since the move to quarantine and starting meds - is the medication copper-based, and what does the label say about its use with marines?

[TurboKing]

It says it's safe for marine fish, but only in FOWLR systems. I'm pretty sure it's copper-free, I'll double-check when I get home.

I'm wrapping up the 5-day treatment, so I'll wait 48 hours and then do a 50% water change. I've heard of freshwater dips, but I'm not really sure what that's all about - can someone walk me through the process?

[TurboKing]

I gave the fish a treatment last night, protozoan for an hour in a separate bucket, and so far it seems a bit better.

[rileyon]

If you can't see it with the naked eye I'd have left it alone. Make sure there's plenty of surface movement and an air stone in the tank he's in, meds tend to take oxygen out of the water. Probably flux, it was breathing heavy and struggling.