have some b&w ocellaris fry amost 4 weeks old. Recently fish have clustered to the bottom of the tank. Some lay on their sides others move in and out of the center of the cluster. pH (8.1), amonia (0), Nitrate (0), nitrite (0). Feeding enriched bbs and crushed flake foods. Temp in the tank is low (78) and some of the fry took longer than normal to metamporphis. I get 3-4 fish dying daily. Any ideas on what is going on? Daily water change of about 1 - 1.5 in a 5 gallon tank. There are about 30 - 40 fish left. Very few are up in the water column.
larvea on the bottom
- Thread starter 2divers
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Tahoe Reefer
New member
It's normal, they move to the bottom and cluster up after they metamorph. Soon they'll start schooling to the surface when you approch to feed.
They are fast little versions of the parents.
They are fast little versions of the parents.
gpsmart
New member
Don't worry too much about where they are swimming. This behaviour does sound normal but at 4 weeks I would be concerned with the death rate. I have just transferred 430 Onyx percula x B&W Ocellaris over to a couple of grow out tanks at 24 days old. In the last 19 days I have only lost a total of 6. This is with no filtration, a couple of air stones, a 25 - 50% water change daily and a 7G tank.
From your description the only thing that stands out is that juvenile clowns will literally eat themselves to death on BBS. At 4 weeks old I would have them off BBS and in a growout system on flake and, depending on their size, possibly pellet foods.
When you do a water change are you vacuuming the bottom? You shouldn't leave any uneaten food or fish waste on the bottom of an unfiltered tank and if I have added a filter I still clean the bottom although it is not as important.
Good luck with the rest of them.
Graham
From your description the only thing that stands out is that juvenile clowns will literally eat themselves to death on BBS. At 4 weeks old I would have them off BBS and in a growout system on flake and, depending on their size, possibly pellet foods.
When you do a water change are you vacuuming the bottom? You shouldn't leave any uneaten food or fish waste on the bottom of an unfiltered tank and if I have added a filter I still clean the bottom although it is not as important.
Good luck with the rest of them.
Graham
I dont think what I have going on is normal. Death rate at this stage seems high. Yes I am aware of the clustering, however, after metamorphisis, I shouldnt be getting high death toll with good water quality.
We do vacuum the bottom at water change time which is every day about 20% change. We are down to about 12 left. I have changed the food ratio to more flakes/pellets and maybe the remainder will survive. Thanks for the help.
We do vacuum the bottom at water change time which is every day about 20% change. We are down to about 12 left. I have changed the food ratio to more flakes/pellets and maybe the remainder will survive. Thanks for the help.
