My First Fish Died

[thegyft07]

First fish was a Diamond Watchman Goby.

All primaitive levels are correct, but I'm not sure on the COD that I diagnosed.

AMMMO 0.00
Nitrite 0.00
Nitrate 0.00
PH 8.3-8.4

I didnt check anything else in 2 weeks, butI put the COD as stress, I have 2 damsels living fine for about 2 mo. I also added a Fire Fish, but I haven't seen the fire fish since I added it either. The goby and fire fish were added the same day 01/21/2009.
The goby was face up on the sand. No sign of predators.

Please Help.

 

[giapam]

died due to hunger.

 

[Michael]

could be anything really pal, not aclimatised properly (shock from temperature difference or salinity difference), lack of oxygen, ammonia in the tank, etc etc, its just hard to tell.

 

[thegyft07]

okay well I drip acclimated him for an hours... LOL I thought that was the safest way to acclimate. and the parameters are 0.0 as stated. The salinity is about 23-25 I'll check to see if that matches whats at the pet store. I'm so maddddd

 

[thegyft07]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14222284#post14222284 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by giapam
died due to hunger.

What led you to that conclusion???????

 

[Michael]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14222404#post14222404 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by thegyft07
okay well I drip acclimated him for an hours... LOL I thought that was the safest way to acclimate. and the parameters are 0.0 as stated. The salinity is about 23-25 I'll check to see if that matches whats at the pet store. I'm so maddddd

nothing wrong with drip aclimitising, providing the water temperature in the bag is maintained when dripping water, how were you testing for ammonia, and ph out of interest, also it seems strange both fish were affected, ok the firefish could still be around and hiding, but if not i suspect either ammonia or params shock, sorry to hear the bad news

 

[thegyft07]

API test kits the whol shabang

 

[Playa-1]

Is ALK and temp part of that shabang?
How are you testing salinity and PH?
Are you adding buffers to the tank?
Are you using a QT?

 

[thegyft07]

OKAY i think you just nailed it,, l the alkalinity was like 13 degrees. could that kill fish though?

Salinity was with my hydrometer. It is approximatley 1.230

Display but stuff I'm getting rid of Like the damsels and the firfish that I do not care for.

 

[Michael]

do you mean 13 DKH?

 

[Playa-1]

The salinity is about 23-25
Salinity was with my hydrometer. It is approximatley 1.230
the alkalinity was like 13 degrees

These numbers don't make much sense. The first thing you need to do is get an handle on the water parameters. You need accurate information. Once you get what you believe to be accurate readings then get a fellow reefer or a LFS to test your water and compare your results to theirs. That may give you some insight on the test results. In the mean time stop adding livestock and stop adding buffers to the tank.

 

[thegyft07]

here are the exact stats I was being vague, sorry.

ammo 0.00
nitrates 0.00
nitrites 0.00
calcium 460 ppm
kh/alk 13
ph 8.3-8.4
salinity 1.023

The only thing that I see off the charts is the kh/alk.

Can that cause fish loss?

 

[Michael]

unlikey, id say not

 

[thegyft07]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14222284#post14222284 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by giapam
died due to hunger.

You still didn't answer how you came to this conclusion, or was it a joke?

.... Please Clarify

 

[thegyft07]

So... no one thinks high alkalinity can cause fish loss huh?

If there is no clear verdict then..... well everything else is living fine from what I can see except that FireFish aint seen him in a while so I Guess I'll just sit and wait before adding more fish and get a CUC just to mkae sure if that Fire Fish is dead in a non visible spot they take care of it before a serious ammo spike.

 

[tspors]

Not sure if I read if this was asked.....
How old is this tank?
The reason I ask... Damsels can live in a toilet bowl.

 

[Michael]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14223960#post14223960 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by thegyft07
So... no one thinks high alkalinity can cause fish loss huh?

not a DKH of 11 no, i still suspect ammonia or aclimatising problems, i just cant think what else could destroy 2 fish so quickly

 

[stuccodude]

i believe giapam said it starved cause some gobies only sift through the sand for food and a new tank cant supply him with enough food. my goby eats and sifts so i feel fortunite.

 

[mustang51js]

it could of been the damsels picking on him,and as far as the fire fish i had a fish awhile back that i put in and didnt see for almost a year, just stayed behind the rocks and only found him when i transfered the tank, it could have been a fire fish also( half yellow half pink) but its been so long

 

[thegyft07]

OH,, the damsels are captured in a breeder tank. I seriously doubt it was the fire fish since they are so peaceful