Fishy Funerals: Have you ever done anything that resulted in a fish or coral death?

[AlyciaMarie]

Admit it...We're human, and we make mistakes! Sometimes, mistakes can be corrected without consequence, and other times...maybe not. The nature of this hobby can be unforgiving at times, and we keep some sensitive creatures. Have you ever experienced the ultimate consequence of mistakes in reef-keeping?

Have you ever done anything that resulted in a fish or coral death? Share what you learned from that experience!

P.S. Please refrain from roasting each other (and me) in the comments.

 

[Reefer Matt]

Yes. I think this is a part of reefing that happens to everyone that has been at it for a while. For me, it’s more of what I didn’t do versus what I did. Not quarantining fish, not paying attention to the tanks, and not being patient are some things that come to mind. Things still go south every once in a while, but my reaction time has decreased because of those past mistakes.

 

[Dburr1014]

NOPOX directions were horrible but since corrected. As a result, I thought I was dosing less than recommended but it was more than recommended.
The end result was a clouded tank and 2 serpant stars literally fell apart in pieces.
It was a horrible site.

 

[jthunderzzz]

Programmed my autofeeder as if it was not using military time... left it on for like 2 hours

 

[xitsmike]

I was cleaning the tank and I didn't secure my rock in place, a big piece fell on top of my huge BTA. It was a goner. Needless to say, my new scape is secured with putty - I never want a repeat of that!

 

[Paul B]

Yes, I quarantined one. Disaster.

I will never do that again.

 

[ScottF]

I learned to always put the net cover back on my tank when I'm done doing something in the tank. It seems Midas Blennies do much better in water than on the floor.

 

[shakacuz]

yes. in my early days while the tank was less than a year old i was already adding corals that didn't make it very far. lesson learned!

 

[ScottF]

I also learned that sweet little Niger Triggers turn into giant mouths that eat small newly added fish like chromis as well as shrimp.

 

[vlangel]

I learned to always put the net cover back on my tank when I'm done doing something in the tank. It seems Midas Blennies do much better in water than on the floor.

Yes, I also learned this lesson the hard way. Mine was also a midas blenny.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I was cleaning the tank and I didn't secure my rock in place, a big piece fell on top of my huge BTA. It was a goner. Needless to say, my new scape is secured with putty - I never want a repeat of that!

Wow, I hate that happened to your BTA!

 

[xitsmike]

Wow, I hate that happened to your BTA!

I was devastated. It was around 8" across and it was thriving, I'll never make that mistake again, securing rock was the first thing I did when I set up my new tank!

 

[i cant think]

Admit it...We're human, and we make mistakes! Sometimes, mistakes can be corrected without consequence, and other times...maybe not. The nature of this hobby can be unforgiving at times, and we keep some sensitive creatures. Have you ever experienced the ultimate consequence of mistakes in reef-keeping?

Have you ever done anything that resulted in a fish or coral death? Share what you learned from that experience!

P.S. Please refrain from roasting each other (and me) in the comments.

Ive done too much that resulted in dead fish unfortunately.

 

[boacvh]

So many things, but worst one is probably when I set alk doser on apex to ON instead of AUTO......

 

[MIRANDA73]

Just yesterday. I turned off my mp40 to put it on a timer. My Royal Blemmy for 5 years decided to hide out by the propeller. I did not see him in it and.... well let's just say he is now clean up crew food.

 

[smitten with ocean life]

i didnt realize that i plugged in the heater on ''on'' not auto. cooked almost everything in my tank. i was devastated to say the least. one of the fish was a red hawkfish that would sit in your hand.... can still hardly think about it

 

[robanister]

I learned that 16% of people lie when they say they haven't killed "anything"!

 

[PotatoPig]

One coral…

I was doing a bulk dip of a few corals and at the end thought I’d gotten them all out so emptied it in the toilet…

Then out tumbled my Moseleya, and the water momentum carried it all the way over the u-bend….

Out of 34 coral species including about a dozen SPS I’ve only lost two (so far…) - the Moseleya and a Torch, one of my first attempts at LPS - so on the whole a decent batting average.

 

[snorklr]

yes, I set up a tank...

 

[Red_Beard]

Indirectly, yes. Directly..... also yes. sad stuff. funeral and all.