Clown died suddenly

[Fishyj]

Very sad, I purchased 2 clowns 4 days ago. They both did great the first couple of days. I noticed 1 of them shaking when the other came around but all in all seemed fine. They were swimming fine, eating and all of a sudden 1 of them started hiding and had rapid breathing. I did transfer him out of the tank, went to dinner,came home to a dead clown.These were the first 2 in my bc29 tank so I sort of used that as my qt tank. Other than live rock, sand, and a few mushrooms, and snails theirs nothing else in the tank. My tank did cycle, 0 across the board and salinity is normal. What could have caused this? I do have a separate qt tank that is cycling for future purchases. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[Mike J.]

"0 across the board" sends up a red flag to me. Did you have an elevated nitrate reading at the end of cycling your tank? Have you tested the water lately? Like after the clown died?

 

[Fishyj]

I shouldn't have said "0 across the board"but ammonia read 0,nitrate about .15 (just a shade above blue), and nitrate between 0 and .25 read I tested the water before I took the clown out. Today I was going to do my weekly water change but held off. I am using api for ammonia,nitrite, nitrate. My water changes are 25% heated water. Nothing else in my tank is stressed or acting abnormal. Top off with ro water which is also aerated and heated.

 

[xthunderx]

By any chance did you see anything weird spots or "fuzz" on the clown?

 

[Fishyj]

No spots or fuzz, it was really laboring and rapid breathing. Today I am going back to my lfs with water sample and see what they come up with. I am checking the tank this morning for stray voltage.