2 new juvenile clowns both died

[jlandis33]

Newer tank been up 2 months... Fishless cycle Dr Tims ammonia and one and only a month before adding fish. have had 3 chromis and 2 pajama cardinals. They are all well and eating rods food and omega flakes. Bought 2 very young juvenile clownfish on Tuesday by Saturday both dead. Zero ammonia, nitrite or nitrate. Chaeto growing like crazy. Water temp 78.1. Is that common and just part of the hobby?

 

[Funston07]

How big is your tank and how big are the other fish?

 

[jlandis33]

How big is your tank and how big are the other fish?

My tank is 75 gallon.. the green chromis and 2 pajama cardinals are young as well.

 

[Funston07]

My tank is 75 gallon.. the green chromis and 2 pajama cardinals are young as well.

So its unlikely something was picking on them. Did they appear healthy when you got them and put in the tank? Were they swimming oddly or anything? Thats a pretty quick timeframe to lose 2 fish

 

[IKD]

How small were they and How often were you feeding? If I recall juvenile clowns need frequent feedings but that may not be the issue you had.

 

[jlandis33]

How small were they and How often were you feeding? If I recall juvenile clowns need frequent feedings but that may not be the issue you had.

I was feeding Rod’s Food one a day every other day and omega with garlic flakes the every other day.... both once a day

 

[scdigby]

i'm so sorry.

 

[jlandis33]

So its unlikely something was picking on them. Did they appear healthy when you got them and put in the tank? Were they swimming oddly or anything? Thats a pretty quick timeframe to lose 2 fish

They appeared to go in the tank ok and swimming ok. They didn’t eat best buth thought they were.

 

[NeonRabbit221B]

I suspect disease if they came from same supplier. How far apart did they die? I would suggest watching your other fish very carefully for signs of velvet/ich/brook

 

[Funston07]

They appeared to go in the tank ok and swimming ok. They didn’t eat best buth thought they were.

I added some clowns when they were extremely small, thought it was funny cause how small they were compared to the tank and they didnt eat much the first couple of days, they usually dont. So that being said I would find it hard to believe it was caused from starving. I would check into where you bought them from, most places honor a 7-10 day guarantee on livestock. Something obviously isn't right, especially with no larger aggressive fish in tank with them. I agree with above comment about possible disease. Keep an eye on your other fish.

 

[jlandis33]

I suspect disease if they came from same supplier. How far apart did they die? I would suggest watching your other fish very carefully for signs of velvet/ich/brook

They died day a part. Will keep and eye on them. Thanks!

 

[IKD]

I thought babies needing feeding several times a day, but I could be wrong.

 

[vetteguy53081]

How did you acclimate (introduce) the clowns? Hpw long did yu acclimate them
Did they appear to have a haze or mucus on their bodies?
What test kit(s) are you using? Hopefully not API as all zeros with 8 weeks of running seems very unusual.

 

[jlandis33]

How did you acclimate (introduce) the clowns? Hpw long did yu acclimate them
Did they appear to have a haze or mucus on their bodies?
What test kit(s) are you using? Hopefully not API as all zeros with 8 weeks of running seems very unusual.

I am using api. I floated them for 25 minutes. I didn’t drip them but will if I get more. What test kit do you recommend. It seemed accurate for the complete cycle. I have use them on freshwater tanks for years but new to saltwater. I didnt notice a haze or mucas. To be honest when I pulled them out I looked them over good and didn’t notice anything then either. I appreciate the help

 

[firmefatboy799]

sounds like they might have been doomed from the lfs, it happens and with them being young possibly just being put into the display at the lfs then to your tank maybe shock or parasites etc, if the other fish are fine I would chock it up to bad fish, and maybe not use that store in the future

 

[NeonRabbit221B]

API won't suit for saltwater long term if you are interested in coral. API is useless for ammonia checks at low levels and nitrate is pretty bad too. Salifert, Red Sea and Hanna Checkers are the go tos. Again, I would prep a QT.

 

[firmefatboy799]

and I see above that acclimation might have played a role, them being young even more so, I always float bags then drip acclimate for at least an hour

 

[jlandis33]

and I see above that acclimation might have played a role, them being young even more so, I always float bags then drip acclimate for at least an hour

Lesson learned thank you!