What killed my snowflake clownfish?

[AliKat]

So, I had two snowflake clowns and one yellow blenny in my 34g RSM. All were doing well at the beginning of this week. I am an actress and had a show this week, plus was pretty sick, so I didn't test the water like I usually do. Today I went to feed the fish and one clown was missing. I found him under a rock still breathing, but very pale and obviously not going to make it. This came on very sudden, and though I haven't watched him as diligently as I usually do I am pretty sure his color and everything was fine up until yesterday or today.

I'm worried about my other two fish. Just did a test and the ammonia has spiked up to .75 with 0 nitrites and 40 nitrate. Not sure where that spike came from. Apart from a water change (which will happen first thing tomorrow), is there anything I can do to help insure the other fish won't suffer the same fate?

Also, pulled the clown when he was dying, and now that he's died he's very pale. I'm assuming that's normal, but figure it's worth mentioning in case that's a symptom of something.

 

[CoralsAddiction]

If it's ammonia poisoning then you might want consider using Prime by Seachem in addition to 25%-30% back to back daily water changes.

 

[AliKat]

Not sure it matters, but at the end of last week I added chemipure and purigen to the media rack.

Yeah, I'm going to do a water change tomorrow. I'm just freaked out a bit - loved that fish - and hoping I didn't miss something I should have seen.

 

[addictedreefer]

You need to figure out the source of the ammonia, as that is likely what caused your fish to die. Possibilities include the death and decay of something in the tank and overfeeding (intentional or accidental). Also, how long has the tank been set up and what do you use for filtration? If you have live rock, how much?

 

[sharkboy99999]

Okay maybe it wasn't ammonia u tested after the fish died right so Thar means the fish was in tank dead for a little so the ammonia could have been from the died clown

 

[addictedreefer]

Okay maybe it wasn't ammonia u tested after the fish died right so Thar means the fish was in tank dead for a little so the ammonia could have been from the died clown

The OP makes clear that the fish was still alive (barely) when it was removed, therefore it could not be the source of the ammonia.

 

[sharkboy99999]

It never says that he moved it when it was alive

 

[Irishdolphin]

..... pulled the clown when he was dying, and now that he's died.

 

[sharkboy99999]

Oh my bad