Foxface didn't make it

[boomer135]

Well When I got home today I was looking for the foxface, and I finally found him face up behind a rock dead..I scooped him up and grabbed some water for the LFS to chekc out...

They tested my water and all was good, all was zero except nitrates were 15...

I did a water change last week 20%....and all levels were zero exept nitrates were 5..

Well this new fox face doesnt look to be doing well either...Everyone else is fine....he eats but then lays on the bototm and starts going camo....what to do?

 

[mutateddogbone]

sometimes foxface can stress themselves to death. you have to do a very gentle acclimation process and make sure no other inhabitants are bothering him.

could have also been a bad fish

 

[S_Stoney_S]

Well mine did that when he was stressed/scared the camo response. Hopefully he will settle down in a few days, just be careful of the spines.

 

[boomer135]

ok cool...well not cool but you know what i mean.

THX!

 

[stricknine]

Big question, how long has the tank been set up? Feb '09?

That may be the issue there. What are tank specs, Live Rock Lbs, sand?, skimmer? If the tank is new, and depending on the specs, you may be killing a lot of fish for a while.

Let us know, may solve future issues.

 

[boomer135]

tank is 2 months old and it cycled in 2 weeks, but I waited till 30 days to add fish....I added the gobys & shrimp then each week another fish...seems as if he is doing ok now the tang really seems to like him graazing up against his side and being close to him

Equip is

40 ga sump
euro reef rs100 shimmer
rio 1100 gph return pump
(2) korilla 3 PH
Nova extreme (4) t5ho 54 watt bulbs w/moon lights

 

[fishox]

when a tang grazes against the side and is close to another fish they are attacking it. Tangs are also known as surgeon fish because they have a very sharp spine near their tail. The spine is so sharp it cuts other fish. You really should try to seperate these fish. Tangs and rabbitfish compete for the same food in an aquarium. Be careful mixing them.

 

[stricknine]

Boomer, what is in the tank for bio filter? Sand, rock, etc? Also, how often do you test? I fear you have added a TON of bioload without giving the biological filter time to catch up.

Just because your tank SEEMED to cycle in two weeks does not mean you have the beneficial bacterias built up in the system to support your stock list, and I would almost guarantee that.

The "cycle" is not a perfect science [per say]. Typically it will start with die off from the rock. Die off is processed by the bacteria, as the bacteria catches up to the amount of die off this is the typical 4-6 week cycle. If you had a bunch of great cured liverock, you wouldnt see a cycle. No die off = no ammonia = no cycle. For example I had cured mail order rock for six weeks-when I put in to my tank I had NO readings of a typical cycle. I started feeding the empty tank to introduce ammonia, force the nitrogen cycle and establish a certain level of bacteria to support a small fish. weeks later, and after feeding a bit more, another fish, and so on.

Im afraid your tank is not ready for what you are stocking, and you are stocking fast. You have to let the bio catch up to the bio load, and you arent throwing in minnows. Triggers, tangs, parrotfish, all big fish! Slow down, if your biological filters (sand, rock) are adequate, it still takes time. I respect the research you did and the checks tou put in place, but it still has to be slower than you are stocking it.

Good luck.

 

[boomer135]

gotcha, I did add 140lbs of cured rock....and saw very little of a cycle, also added 75lbs of live sand....I test the water every 3 days. thx for the advice....I'll slow it down!

 

[boomer135]

gotcha, I did add 140lbs of cured rock....and sae very little of a cycle, also added 75lbs of live sand....I test the water every 3 days. thx for the advice....I'll slow it down!

 

[tspors]

I think the answer is the age of tank. To early to be ading fish. First off a tank will not completely cycle in 2 weeks. You should wait 2 months before adding CUC and closer to 4 months before adding a fish and I think a Fox is a bit delicate to add evenin 4 months. This is most likely from attempting to rush it. Sorry to hear.