Oh no!

[Pixburgh]

The saltwater tank lights turned on this morning and revealed that my clowns had passed :violin:. I have no idea what happened to them, one was stuck to the intake of a power head and the other was on the sand in the grips of a hermit crab. I took them out and frantically looked for the other inhabitants which consist of 2 hermits, 1 tiger pistol shrimp, 1 watchman goby and 1 skunk cleaner shrimp. Thankfully everyone else appears happy and healthy. My clowns weren't bonded yet, were still deciding who would be female etc so could they have just fought to the death with neither coming out victorious? They had no outward signs of ich, velvet, or anything I could detect myself. The black one had been chewed on by the hermit so torn fins were present, just not sure if it was after he had passed or before.

Other than the critters listed above, I have nothing else in the tank (no coral or anything) so right now it's just a FOWLR. Been waiting until my tank matured so that I could add an anemone, have it choose a nice spot and go from there etc.

Ph -8.2
NitrAte-0
NitrIte-0
Ammonia-0
Temperature -80.0

Edit: I've had the clowns since late June.

 

[Reefpharmer]

To my knowledge fish rarely fight during the night. That's why most recommend adding new fish when lights are off. Sorry for your loss

 

[ReeferRookie]

Strange ur params seem good ..... Sorry for your loss. I dont know if they fought to the death seems excessive. My clowns also bonded immediately

 

[redfishbluefish]

Clowns are pretty hardy. Check for stray voltage.

 

[Pixburgh]

That's what I'm so nervous about. I picked up replacements but they will be in quarantine tank for a month so I'll just have to deal with watching the goby and clean up crew for a while. How do I check for stray voltage?

 

[reggaedrummin]

What's your alk?

 

[fishroomlady]

I'd be concerned that something's up with losing two at the same time.....

 

[redfishbluefish]

....... How do I check for stray voltage?

Using a multimeter/voltage-ohm-meter, set it for AC volts. Put one probe into your tank so the metal part of the probe is in water and take the other probe and put it on a good ground. I typically use that little screw in the center of a plug plate...that is actually grounded....or put in in the ground plug of an outlet. Note that a volt of so is still acceptable.

You can pick up a very inexpensive meter at Harbor Freight for six bucks: