Coral thrive, fish die

[CK Amstutz]

For the life of me, I cannot seem to house coral and fish together. I work with my lfs and all my parameters are on target, but I consistently lose fish. I have Hammer Coral, Candy cane, Duncan, Bubble and I think a leather. It is about 160 gallons and my calcium does seem to run high. But I keep my water changed, feed the fish and have my water tested each couple of weeks when I buy my premixed water. This past month, I have lost a small brown Tang, four Cardinals, a yellow Wrasse and a green Mandarin. I have had a Sand Sifting Goby and a pink Wrasse for a couple of years. Also, two Brittle starfish. I have one Cardinal left. My tank has been set up since 2019. What can I ask my lfs to check for or help me with? Thank you.

 

[Crabs McJones]

Are you noticing anything on the fish when they die? My guess would be some sort of fish disease or parasite in they system.

 

[fishywishy]

You need to qt your fish.

 

[BristleWormHater]

What do you do when you add them? Acclimation? Quarantine?

 

[CK Amstutz]

Are you noticing anything on the fish when they die? My guess would be some sort of fish disease or parasite in they system.

I don't notice anything on them. I buy from an online site and my lfs.

 

[CK Amstutz]

What do you do when you add them? Acclimation? Quarantine?

I acclimate them, according to acclimation needs, in my refugium. Some are an hour or so, some are three plus hours. I don't quarantine.

 

[BristleWormHater]

I acclimate them, according to acclimation needs, in my refugium. Some are an hour or so, some are three plus hours. I don't quarantine.

By acclimating I mean drip acclimating or acclimating from the bag, are you familiar with these methods?

 

[CK Amstutz]

By acclimating I mean drip acclimating or acclimating from the bag, are you familiar with these methods?

Acclimating from the bag. LFS thinks I may have a gorilla crab, since I never see bodies.

 

[BryanM]

Acclimating from the bag. LFS thinks I may have a gorilla crab, since I never see bodies.

I would think by now you'd have seen the crab. It is also unlikely if you do have one that it is killing healthy fish.

Do you have a mantis shrimp? (Do you hear clicking coming from the tank?)

 

[Uncle99]

For the life of me, I cannot seem to house coral and fish together. I work with my lfs and all my parameters are on target, but I consistently lose fish. I have Hammer Coral, Candy cane, Duncan, Bubble and I think a leather. It is about 160 gallons and my calcium does seem to run high. But I keep my water changed, feed the fish and have my water tested each couple of weeks when I buy my premixed water. This past month, I have lost a small brown Tang, four Cardinals, a yellow Wrasse and a green Mandarin. I have had a Sand Sifting Goby and a pink Wrasse for a couple of years. Also, two Brittle starfish. I have one Cardinal left. My tank has been set up since 2019. What can I ask my lfs to check for or help me with? Thank you.

A hidden predator on the loose?
Like a mantis?
Is that possible?

 

[CK Amstutz]

No. The lfs said my ph/kh are fluctuating too much. I use their premixed water and add their suggestions. They gave me some new suggestions today. It is odd that it goes so good and changes to bad. Then starts flourishing again. Nothing to do with me, but maybe adding my calcium/fuel/ions all at once.

I would think by now you'd have seen the crab. It is also unlikely if you do have one that it is killing healthy fish.

Do you have a mantis shrimp? (Do you hear clicking coming from the tank?)

 

[BryanM]

No. The lfs said my ph/kh are fluctuating too much. I use their premixed water and add their suggestions. They gave me some new suggestions today. It is odd that it goes so good and changes to bad. Then starts flourishing again. Nothing to do with me, but maybe adding my calcium/fuel/ions all at once.

I think this is why we recommend RODI systems, making your own water, testing it for TDS, and getting solid Salifert or Hanna test kits.

In short: I think you've got to start controlling your own destiny.

I distrust others water so much when I get livestock none of that ever enters my tank. I acclimate fish, I drain the bag in to a net getting rid of their water, and put the fish in my tank.

Corals are easier as they get dipped anyway, none of that water ever touches my tank.