Hey, I am very new to this saltwater fish and reef thing and I have reached the end of my rope. I love it, but I want to quit. I have treated my tank for ick, but my fish keep dying. 2 pecula clowns and 1 damsel, my second damsel is on his way out. They show symptoms of dorpsy, cotton mouth, wasting disease, and possibly velvet. I don't know if all or any are for saltwater, but bottom line is I need help. The fish have all had heavy breathing, stay near the bottom corner of the tank, easily startled, a white powder like dust on skin and fins, faded color, and loss of appitite, but what ever they have didn't have any effect on my shrimp. please help!!!
I have not had a fish live for more then two months
- Thread starter JLong
- Start date
First thing is to do is quit buying fish and get a few books on marine fish care. What you are describing sounds like a parasite infection(ick). The only way to rid your tank of these parasites is to remove any host(fish) from the tank for a period of 30 to 60 days to allow the parasites to die off and to treat the fish in a seperate quarantine tank. Spend the time reading up on the marine fish care and by all means, set-up a quarantine tank. Don't get too discouraged, we all have been through this at one time or another.
Rondelet
New member
Here are some links to some relevant articles to get you started on your readingââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¦.
Marine velvet (which is probably what your fish are suffering from)
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-07/sp/feature/index.php
Quarantine:
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-10/sp/feature/index.php
Selecting healthy fish:
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/ft/index.php
Also, what are your water parameters? I'm inclined to believe your ammonia/nitrite/nitrate levels may be out of spec and/or unstable. Keeping water parameters stable is very difficult with smaller volume systems.
Marine velvet (which is probably what your fish are suffering from)
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-07/sp/feature/index.php
Quarantine:
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-10/sp/feature/index.php
Selecting healthy fish:
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-02/ft/index.php
Also, what are your water parameters? I'm inclined to believe your ammonia/nitrite/nitrate levels may be out of spec and/or unstable. Keeping water parameters stable is very difficult with smaller volume systems.
Keep your head up, it's pretty tough to get involved in this hobby and not experience any growing pains. Do get down, do your homework; read as much info as possible. Digest all the info and work slow. The biggest mistake I made was wanting to do too much too fast; patience will be your best friend. Take a step back see what you did wrong and move forward. This site is a great resource, you will learn a lot from just reading about other hobbyists situations. You will be fine, take it slow. Once you are settled in you will love seeing what you created. Good luck.
your right Carl, it is not done cycling. someday I will know as much as evryone here does. I have only had the tank since Christmas or sice the winter holidays, I don't want to step on any toes. I am going to the Sheed in Chicago this weekend, I am sure to find some good books and info there. Thank you everyone.
Joel
Joel
