I have a 90 gallon tank with 30 gallon sump. about 100lbs of live rock, large skimmer, and the following perimeters have been stable for months:
Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate, Phosphate all 0ppm (Salifert tests)
Magnesium 1260
Alkalinity 12.5 dKH
Calcium 410ppm
PH 8
Temp 78.5
Salinity 1.025
I had an Occelaris Clown, 2 Pajama Cardinals, and 3 Blue Eyed Cardinals. All were doing well, and I added 2 Green Chromis, a larger one and a smaller one. The clown chased and generally bullied both chromis but eventually he seemed to make friends with the larger one, but still bullied the small one and it died in a few days. The Chromis was eating well, and I didn't notice any unusual marking or fin issues when it died. I wasn't sure if the clown bullied him too much, or if it was something else..
I soon began to notice what looked like shredded fins on one of the blue eyed cardinals. It got worse over time and began showing up on all 5 of the cardinals to a greater or less degree. The tail on one of the cardinals was almost completely gone. I never saw any fighting among the cardinals or between them and the clown, but I figured the clown must be nipping them at night or when I wasn't watchcing. The clown is quite agressive, and attacks my hand and bites me every time I reach into the tank.
I later added a Royal Gramma, that ate very well, and looked great. The only problem was that the clown chased him back into the rockwork every time he came out. I wasn't too concerned though, as the gramma seemed to be getting more bold, and still ate well. A few days however, I noticed a white patch on the side of the gramma, maybe about 1/4" long. It looked like a scrape mark. The next day the gramma wouldn't eat, and a day or two later he disappeared.
Shortly thereafter one of the cardinals quit eating and after a few days he died. Recently another died in similar fashion. Now a third cardinal won't eat, and another one has a white patch on each side of his body. It looks almost like an infected cut about 1/4" long.
Although the clown can be a bully, I don't think that's what's bothering the cardinals. I quarantined all fish for 6 weeks, with the exception of the gramma, which i only quarantined for 2 weeks since he was in copper meds (he came with ich that cleared up after a day or so of treatment). I now realize I should have quarantined him longer, but the advice I had at the time led me to believe that two weeks was fine.
To date neither the clown nor the chromis show any sign of disease.
Perhaps the best course of actions would be to remove the cardinals and medicate them in a hospital tank. However, I'm not sure I can catch them, thought I could try with a flashlight at night. The thing is, I don't know what disease they have, or how to treat them. Anyone able to help with a diagnosis? I don't want to add any more fish till I get a handle on this!
Thanks!
Ted
Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate, Phosphate all 0ppm (Salifert tests)
Magnesium 1260
Alkalinity 12.5 dKH
Calcium 410ppm
PH 8
Temp 78.5
Salinity 1.025
I had an Occelaris Clown, 2 Pajama Cardinals, and 3 Blue Eyed Cardinals. All were doing well, and I added 2 Green Chromis, a larger one and a smaller one. The clown chased and generally bullied both chromis but eventually he seemed to make friends with the larger one, but still bullied the small one and it died in a few days. The Chromis was eating well, and I didn't notice any unusual marking or fin issues when it died. I wasn't sure if the clown bullied him too much, or if it was something else..
I soon began to notice what looked like shredded fins on one of the blue eyed cardinals. It got worse over time and began showing up on all 5 of the cardinals to a greater or less degree. The tail on one of the cardinals was almost completely gone. I never saw any fighting among the cardinals or between them and the clown, but I figured the clown must be nipping them at night or when I wasn't watchcing. The clown is quite agressive, and attacks my hand and bites me every time I reach into the tank.
I later added a Royal Gramma, that ate very well, and looked great. The only problem was that the clown chased him back into the rockwork every time he came out. I wasn't too concerned though, as the gramma seemed to be getting more bold, and still ate well. A few days however, I noticed a white patch on the side of the gramma, maybe about 1/4" long. It looked like a scrape mark. The next day the gramma wouldn't eat, and a day or two later he disappeared.
Shortly thereafter one of the cardinals quit eating and after a few days he died. Recently another died in similar fashion. Now a third cardinal won't eat, and another one has a white patch on each side of his body. It looks almost like an infected cut about 1/4" long.
Although the clown can be a bully, I don't think that's what's bothering the cardinals. I quarantined all fish for 6 weeks, with the exception of the gramma, which i only quarantined for 2 weeks since he was in copper meds (he came with ich that cleared up after a day or so of treatment). I now realize I should have quarantined him longer, but the advice I had at the time led me to believe that two weeks was fine.
To date neither the clown nor the chromis show any sign of disease.
Perhaps the best course of actions would be to remove the cardinals and medicate them in a hospital tank. However, I'm not sure I can catch them, thought I could try with a flashlight at night. The thing is, I don't know what disease they have, or how to treat them. Anyone able to help with a diagnosis? I don't want to add any more fish till I get a handle on this!
Thanks!
Ted
