Poisoning?

[DanInSD]

Hi, all. This morning, I awoke to a bit of a nip in the air, and decided, wow, I guess it's time to put a heater on my new mantis tank (20 gal, with a 4" O. scyllarus). I live in San Diego, so this sort of thing is always a bit of a revelation (it actually gets cold?). The heater (50W) had been used for over a year on a previous mantis tank. I rinsed it off well (had some algae bits and stuff) and put it in the tank.

Within about ten minutes, my O.s. had come out of his PVC cave, and even swimming around in circles. He seemed in distress. I immediately pulled the heater and did a 30% water change.

Could this be some sort of poisoning? Just coincidence? Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Dan

 

[Gonodactylus]

Could be, but it could also be due to temperature change. How much did the tank temperature go up?

Over the years I have lost several O. scyllarus to cracked heaters. The heater circutry or the heating element itself can have copper in it.

Roy

 

[DanInSD]

Very little temperature increase, the heater (50W in a 20 gal tank) was only on for a few minutes. Couldn't have been more than one degree.

I suspected the possibility of copper poisoning, so I yanked the heater immediately and did a water change. I'll see in an hour or so when I get home if he's OK. Actually, I think I've got a "she". Is there obvious sexual dimorphism in O. scyllarus?

Thanks,
Dan

 

[DanInSD]

Alas, my poor friend died.

Must have been an acute poisoning.

 

[esco]

Sad to hear he passed. Hope you can fix the problem and keep your next one strong and healthy!

 

[DanInSD]

Thanks for the concern.

Well, the heater has been tossed, and I'll be getting a new non-glass heater today. I've found a new mantis which I've purchased, and have on hold for a week. During that week, I'll be doing daily 30% water changes, and using carbon and polyfilter. That's about all I can possibly do, short of complete disassembly, which ain't gonna happen.

What's interesting is that nothing else in the tank has been affected. I've got lots of small frags -- 'shrooms, zoanthids, some star polyps. Everything is open and happy. Water parameters are great. There's also a damsel in there, and it was completely unaffected. Same with all of the "snacks" (hermits and snails). No signs of distress at all. VERY strange.

Dr. Roy, does this sound like a sound plan?

Thanks,
Dan

 

[Janina]

I've experience the same mysterious death of my peacock with perfect water paramters and no other critters affected. Did you figure out what the problem was? I assumed that with mine, some toxin from the air might have gotten in the water and only the mantis was sensitive enough to be affected.
How did you take care of the problem? Did you get your new mantis yet and if so, any problems?