Newish Tank, both Clownfish died... please help

[Shewillbemine]

It looks like you addressed everything and unfortunately these seem like phantom fish deaths. Could be something they already had from the LFS but that still doesn't explain the cloudiness.

CSI time: who else has access to the room for this tank?

 

[nickbinsb]

haha, no one was in my room. :sad1:

 

[shifty51008]

Im almost wondering if it wasnt something like brook or velvet but if they looked ok with no extra slime or whitish on them it kinda rules that out. However the cloudyness of the tank sounda like a bacteria bloom which could deplete o2 fast as said eariler. Have you checked ammonia levels afterward or after the first one passed?

 

[nickbinsb]

Yeah, I've been testing regularly, before and after, and got no ammonia reading. Probably the bacteria bloom as you said. Pretty sad about the whole thing because I did not think I was overfeeding/overstocking.

 

[shifty51008]

I wouldnt blame yourself, things like this can happen to the best of us. Your going slow and doing things right so dont let this stop you. Seems like your doing a good job.

 

[cheucklate]

Do you know the salinity the LFS uses for fish? I ask because some stores set their fish tanks at 1.020 or even lower to prevent parasites. Could they be dying from acclimation shock? You can try slow dripping even longer using airline tube or put them in a QT matching the LFS salinity and then slowly let it evaporate till the salinity matches DT.

 

[nickbinsb]

They came from an online order, and unfortunately I did not test the bag water. I tried to acclimate them slowly but not too slow as I've read this can also be detrimental.

 

[Marchillo]

It seems you are getting some conflicting advice within the thread. From my point of view when getting a fish shipped the best thing is a quick acclimation which you did. The obvious problem which may not answer all of our questions is what they run their salinity at. They could be running at 1.017 and your running at 1.024. Your 30 minute acclimation may have only gotten it up to 1.020.

I got a cleaner shrimp once and I had read a thread of people losing them during acclimation so I wanted salinity to match and keep the acclimation to no more than 30 minutes (after bag opening). I was shocked the bag water was 1.019 versus my tank of 1.024. I added water for 30 minutes and was only up to 1.022. It took a lot more than I thought to get to 1.024.

I would start by calling the online store and asking what they run their salinity at. They should be able to tell you. I wouldn't be surprised if they ran at 1.017 and despite your efforts you may have only raised it to 1.020/1.021.

Doesn't explain the cloudiness. You didn't add any ph buffer did you? That will cloud your tank. Like a ph up product?

 

[Marchillo]

Also I would get a qt setup. Going forward you can easily match salinity and observe for other issues as well.

 

[gone fishin]

Like Shifty said try not to get to down. It would seem your doing things right. hopefully it was just some type of perfect storm situation.

I would suggest looking into a QT for your next go around. Good luck

 

[CStrickland]

I mysteriously lost a couple fish in quarantine a few weeks ago. It sucks.
I think that's one of the things that make experienced reefers different from us noobs. Even when we seem to do everything right these mysterious deaths happen sometimes.

The good thing about a qt is they won't take out your whole tank with them when they go.

I replaced the fish I lost, and even though I feel like I did everything just the same, the replacements were just fine and are happy in my tank today. Do be afraid to brush yourself off and try again <3

 

[stingeragent]

Although I've been tempted several times, this is a reason I only purchase live stock in person. I like to make sure the fish is active, swimming around, and I can visibly looks for signs of disease before purchase. Based on what you've said there is honestly no way to truly know what happened. As others have mentioned don't give up. On your next purchase, make sure to double check the bag salinity. That will at the very least eliminate salinity shock as being a possibility.

 

[e048]

Are your shrimp and snails fine? If so then it's probably not your water....

Keep the tank fish less for about 3 months then try again but qt the new fish before dumping them into your tank

 

[nickbinsb]

Good point. The shrimp and snails are fine.

 

[JBeursken]

I had that same problem with my 2 clowns, acting the same way...I did a water change and they bounced right back...did a water change again the following week and they seem to be happy go lucky..... they are pigs when it comes to Breakfast though...

 

[e048]

May have been a bad batch see if anyone near you has clowns for sale and make sure they are eating and happy qt any fish you get that will help