Help please

[Oklahomareefer]

I bought a domino damsel yesterday and today found him laying on his side in the back corner of my nano. He has a small spot on his side were it looks like his skin is missing. The only things in my tank are my peppermint shrimp and my zoos, mushrooms and polyps. Could this be from my peppermint shrimp?

 

[Oklahomareefer]

here are pictures after the little guy passed

 

[madkat]

To me it doesn't look like a wound from a shrimp.... personally from experience you are better off without him.

the 2 I had took over my 46 and then my 150. They thought they were the queen bees. even would attack my lionfish.

My channel cat in the koi pond thought they tasted like chicken!

 

[Oklahomareefer]

Would love to figure this out before I go to buy a clown. I am scared to buy my clown and get it home and have the samething happen:hmm2:

 

[happysak]

Start by doing water test. Also did you see if fish was eating at retailer? Do they quarantine fish for you?

 

[Oklahomareefer]

Roman the first thing I did when I found him was pulled him aside and tested the water. My parameters are:

Temp 81.5
salinity 1.025
pH 7.8
nitrites 0
nitrates 2.0
Ammonia 0.25

He was eating and behaving normal at the retailer and they said that they quarantine all their fish

 

[happysak]

Ammonia 0.25

Ammonia can be a trouble

 

[Mylilreef]

i agree wiyh the ammonia possibly being a problem. also that temp seems alittle on the high side. most people run between 78-80

 

[Oklahomareefer]

ok so i turned my heater down, how do i bring down the ammonia?

 

[coralfish]

I have yet to find a retail store that QTs their fish...although I guess there are probably some...but a real QT is 30-60 days, so they would have to be loosing lots of money storing these fish for so long.

The ammonia is too high, although a damsel can normally take high levels, this added to the high temp and somewhat low pH probably helped in his demise.

I think that he was sick prior to you getting him, that the ammonia and high temp finished him off, and the shrimp had nothing to do with it.

And yes, harsh to say, but you are better off without him.

 

[coralfish]

as far as getting the ammonia down, water changes and letting the tank complete its cycle (if its a new tank). If its an established tank then you need to find out what's causing the ammonia spike (overfeeding or dead fish).

 

[Oklahomareefer]

Well I guess my tank had a delayed cycle, it had a spike and then went into stable readings for three weeks. I feel so bad that I killed the poor little fish.

 

[Lytehouse]

I have yet to find a retail store that QTs their fish...
The ammonia is too high, although a damsel can normally take high levels, this added to the high temp and somewhat low pH probably helped in his demise.

I think that he was sick prior to you getting him, that the ammonia and high temp finished him off, and the shrimp had nothing to do with it.

And yes, harsh to say, but you are better off without him.

Sorry about KY, we have a couple here that QT fish.

The rest of your info I agree with. the amonia and temp probably were a problem. However, if you plan on having other fish in the tank, you probably want to stay away from damsels.

Good luck

 

[lauremf2002]

the dead fish could have spiked your tank if it was in there long enough (it doesnt take long) Especially if its a somewhat new tank. This may have been a superficial wound it recieved at the retailer or in shipping that only got worse from the stress of moving, temp ph etc.

 

[Oklahomareefer]

When I first spotted him this morning he was still breathing but it was very labored. I put him in a breeding net and tested my parameters. Before I could finish my tests he was gone. I looked him over really well before I purchased him yesterday afternoon and did not see any marks on him at all. I have decided to not place anything else in my tank for another two to three weeks just to be safe and test regularly in the mean time. Thanks for all the help everyone

 

[Oklahomareefer]

does anyone know if DT's phytoplankton food would cause a ammonia spike?

 

[Lytehouse]

does anyone know if DT's phytoplankton food would cause a ammonia spike?

only if you over fed alot

 

[Oklahomareefer]

pnly fed once and it was about 1/4 of a teaspoon

 

[cjilge]

dt's didn't do it, I would guess it already had something wrong and the amonia, lowish ph and temp played a part but more likely it was doomed from the begining. Sorry it has happened to me before.

 

[Glazner]

Oklahoma reefer, if you shop in Edmond go get established with Leighanne at Aquariums 1702 N Kelley. When I started she would check my water before she would sell me a fish. She made me mad several times cause she would not sell me a fish cause my parameters were not in check....probably saved a fish... She is very honest and knowledgeable. Also she quaranitnes her fish for a week to make sure they are eating and don't have any issues.