Chromis keep dying

[Railcar79]

I have 3 that have been doing well. Been together for months.

 

[nat_a126]

If nitrates are at 0, and tank has been up for 3 weeks, how was it cycles? Ammonia turns to nitrite, then nitrate, so a cycled aquarium should have nitrate.

But even if the tank was not cycled they wouldn't have died in three hours, that's what I don't understand?

 

[nat_a126]

Try adding an air stone to your DT till you get a skimmer, your oxygen levels are probably to low and the fish are suffocating? You may just get a lot of salt creep from using one

What do you mean by DT? If you're talking about the tank don't worry oxygen levels are great and the water has more than enough oxygen :)

 

[nat_a126]

honestly I've had the same problem with my tank since i started it. Ive never been able to keep more than 1 chromis. (It is a blue/green). my tank has 4-5 tangs, other wrasses and anthias as well as small perching and burrowing fish, i have an extensive invert list and corals and nothing is unhappy or off with the levels or system. But if i add more chromis to the system, my same one always prevails and the others turn up dead 1 by 1 every couple days till I'm left with 1. I have a 200g tank and a 275g system, so it is plenty big, i have just found them to be butt holes and either kill off the others or stress them until they die.

I wish you luck with the chromis! (That is if you get more)

 

[Railcar79]

But even if the tank was not cycled they wouldn't have died in three hours, that's what I don't understand?

Something is off in your chemistry, I would hold off on adding fish till you can figure that part out. I have seen fish die in no time at all in an uncycled tank (customer service calls) but more than likely, you got something toxic in your water.

 

[-Logzor]

Are you using tapwater or RO/DI water?

 

[nat_a126]

are you using tapwater or ro/di water?

ro/di

 

[nat_a126]

Something is off in your chemistry, I would hold off on adding fish till you can figure that part out. I have seen fish die in no time at all in an uncycled tank (customer service calls) but more than likely, you got something toxic in your water.

We got this man that's works for an aquarium service business that deals with this sort of stuff, so hopefully he will be able to figure this all out! (I had added some carbon to the water last week hoping it would take out whatever is killing them)

 

[Xziller8]

I am completely new to saltwater and am setting up my new (first) tank. I am only chiming in because the guy who is helping me get started was just talking about chromis with me the other day and was saying how some suppliers can keep the fish they catch for days before delivering them to be shipped out. The fish could be completely stressed out from that before you even get them. He was telling me about SSC (short supply chain) fish where they have to go from collection to export in 24 hours. Not saying it isn't your tank as I don't even have water in my first one, but I just thought I would share that the fish you get could be completely stressed out before you or your LFS even get them.

Short Supply Chain - Quality Marine

 

[nat_a126]

I am completely new to saltwater and am setting up my new (first) tank. I am only chiming in because the guy who is helping me get started was just talking about chromis with me the other day and was saying how some suppliers can keep the fish they catch for days before delivering them to be shipped out. The fish could be completely stressed out from that before you even get them. He was telling me about SSC (short supply chain) fish where they have to go from collection to export in 24 hours. Not saying it isn't your tank as I don't even have water in my first one, but I just thought I would share that the fish you get could be completely stressed out before you or your LFS even get them.

Short Supply Chain - Quality Marine

Thank you and feel free to chime in (it's also my first saltwater tank but I've been keeping freshwater for a few years). That's what the fish man told us so I'm not going to be buying chromis from that particular store :)

 

[Xziller8]

Yeah, my wife has had some cichlids for 13 years now. We lost two and so are starting to do saltwater.

That guy told me it is not uncommon for 1/4 to 1/3rd of the chromis to come in at a LFS die.

My LFS has SSC chromis, he just got them in last week and had only lost one as of yesterday. Much better than the 25%+ I might have to try them once I get to that point. My empty tank is sitting there mocking me and begging to be filled, but I am waiting to get my sump and other stuff set up. Maybe I will have water by this weekend!!

 

[Xziller8]

Sorry, typing too fast... He said 1/4 to 1/3rd die at the LFS when they come in. So if you get one right before it might have croaked, you could have brought him home only to have them expire at home.

 

[neuro]

i've only been able to keep 3 or more at a time. any less and they seem to just die off.
i also acclimate them a little longer than usual

 

[nat_a126]

Sorry, typing too fast... He said 1/4 to 1/3rd die at the LFS when they come in. So if you get one right before it might have croaked, you could have brought him home only to have them expire at home.

It's all good I hope it doesn't happen anymore and I get some nice and healthy ones! I guess they aren't as hardy as they are set out to be.

 

[nat_a126]

Yeah, my wife has had some cichlids for 13 years now. We lost two and so are starting to do saltwater.

That guy told me it is not uncommon for 1/4 to 1/3rd of the chromis to come in at a LFS die.

My LFS has SSC chromis, he just got them in last week and had only lost one as of yesterday. Much better than the 25%+ I might have to try them once I get to that point. My empty tank is sitting there mocking me and begging to be filled, but I am waiting to get my sump and other stuff set up. Maybe I will have water by this weekend!!

SSC? I know how you feel it's too exciting!

 

[nat_a126]

i've only been able to keep 3 or more at a time. any less and they seem to just die off.
i also acclimate them a little longer than usual

How long do you acclimate them?