I don't post much on here, but I have been keeping saltwater tanks for about 10 years. I consider myself one of the most conscientious and careful aquarists when it comes to good husbandry practices. This includes selecting healthy and compatible specimens and quarantining all new additions before adding them to the display. I am mostly a fish guy with only a few easy lps corals, gsp and xenia. I have had most of my fish for over three to four years. When I upgraded from my 265 g to my current 365 g I bought 4 new fish. Three pink square anthias and an Atlantic Blue Tang. These fish were quarantined and treated with copper for 3 weeks prior to entry into the DT.
Recently I noticed what I thought was "ick" on several of my fish. Given the fact that I had 18 fish in my 365 and it would be nearly impossible to take them all out and treat them, I decided to let it run its course and try to maintain water quality and nutrition to help fight it. I thought I might lose a couple of the more finicky Anthias, but I figured most of my prized fish would be able to pull through. I was wrong. The "ick" was actually velvet. I have lost 13 fish in the last two days. Tonight I had to euthanize my most favorite and prized fish, my Emperor Angel, which I have had since it was a juvenile 4 years ago. In hindsight, I am kicking myself for being lazy and not figuring out a way to treat the fish when I first noticed they were infected.
I am not looking for advice on what I could have done differently. I am already well aware of the steps I could have taken to save my fish. Sometimes it just helps to share as a coping method and I am in need of some inspiration to stay in the hobby. For those of you who have had bad experiences, how did you bounce back?
Recently I noticed what I thought was "ick" on several of my fish. Given the fact that I had 18 fish in my 365 and it would be nearly impossible to take them all out and treat them, I decided to let it run its course and try to maintain water quality and nutrition to help fight it. I thought I might lose a couple of the more finicky Anthias, but I figured most of my prized fish would be able to pull through. I was wrong. The "ick" was actually velvet. I have lost 13 fish in the last two days. Tonight I had to euthanize my most favorite and prized fish, my Emperor Angel, which I have had since it was a juvenile 4 years ago. In hindsight, I am kicking myself for being lazy and not figuring out a way to treat the fish when I first noticed they were infected.
I am not looking for advice on what I could have done differently. I am already well aware of the steps I could have taken to save my fish. Sometimes it just helps to share as a coping method and I am in need of some inspiration to stay in the hobby. For those of you who have had bad experiences, how did you bounce back?