Dead cardinal over night

aeceac6413 · Dec 24, 2023

Hi everyone

I just found a dead banggai cardinal this am. We had 3 cardinals for 3 weeks all seemed ok- one would be off on its own consistently but it was hard to tell if it was the same one every time. All seemed to be eating okay and they would hang out together during feeding time. Fast forward 3 weeks, we added 2 clownfish. All water parameters were within normal limits. We had them in there for 3 days, everyone seemed okay, and then this morning a cardinal is dead. Doesn't look torn up or anything- I can't find a reason. Ideas?

KrisReef · Dec 24, 2023

I have not kept Cardinals but I understand that if you start with a few, due to competition among them they will slowly thin the herd until you have either one or two. The one who was shunned is very likely to be the one you lost. Nature is cruel from Darwin's perspective.

Jekyl · Dec 24, 2023

Welocme to R2R!

Sorry you lost a fish. Here are a couple articles that may help you.

Some Helpful Hints When Posting or Responding to Threads in the Fish Disease Treatment and Diagnosis Section

Aquarium Fish Disease Problem Solving Determining the best course of action for a problem with your aquarium can be a difficult task. Even advanced aquarists will often need to seek the help of others for complicated or unique issues. Our intent here on Reef 2 Reef is to offer expert advice...

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Current Quarantine Protocol

2023 Quarantine Procedures Jay Hemdal David Scarborough Protozoans (Cryptocaryon/ich, Amyloodinium/velvet) and Metazoan trematodes/flukes are by far the most common parasites found on newly acquired fish. A carefully managed quarantine process can effectively eliminate these parasites before...

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Kiboshed · Dec 24, 2023

Clowns are bullies. Cardinals will pair off and kill any other Cardinal. The idea they are a schooling fish is false.

The Cardinals I have owned only ate frozen food.

Most likely this fish got bullied to death from both sides.