4 dead percula clownfish!

[Aneesh]

Hey everyone
I have a 180 litre marine aquarium which is around three months old. I started off with a pair of humbug damsels and I later got a green carpet. Everything was running good so I got 4 percula clownfish. The damsels, being territorial, did not let the clowns roam around much. The next day I saw white spots on all the clowns. I QTd them and used a copper based medication. But the next day they were all dead! My QT has a basic air supply and a heater (28 degrees C). Anyone know what went wrong?

 

[Deinonych]

Which medication did you use, and at what concentration? Did you use water from your DT to fill the QT, or was it new saltwater. If it was new water, how long did you let it mix?

 

[Mrscribbled]

Yes we need a few more details. I'd also like to point out that ich will remain in the DT as long as fish are present. In order to fully remove the parasite , all the remaining fish need to be quarantined and out of the DT 12 weeks.

 

[MrTuskfish]

Spots sound like ich, but the timing and the death of all four suggests something else is wrong. Any peeling, sloughing skin?

For future reference---Humbug damsels are about the meanest fish that swims. You will not have many choices when you want to add fish. Personally, I think any damsel should only be kept with fish that will eat them. Clownfish do just fine in groups as juvis; but as they sexually mature and pair off, a pair will seldom tolerate any other clownfish in the same tank. Never have more than two clowns, of any species, in any but the larger tanks. Whoever sold these clowns to you should have known that.

 

[saltyair]

+1 humbugs are very mean and territorial. If you want a peaceful tank get them out. You will not be able to add any other fish (unless it's a predator tank)
Also 4 clownfish in a 50 gallon will end up with 2 dead clownfish.

Sorry for your loss - chances are the clownfish were stressed to the max and could not take the QT after encountering the damsels.

Spots sound like ich, but the timing and the death of all four suggests something else is wrong. Any peeling, sloughing skin?

For future reference---Humbug damsels are about the meanest fish that swims. You will not have many choices when you want to add fish. Personally, I think any damsel should only be kept with fish that will eat them. Clownfish do just fine in groups as juvis; but as they sexually mature and pair off, a pair will seldom tolerate any other clownfish in the same tank. Never have more than two clowns, of any species, in any but the larger tanks. Whoever sold these clowns to you should have known that.