My fish are dying

[OrionN]

If you have an overflow and sump, then O2 is not a problem, unless you have a really high bacterial count and cloudy water. The remedy in this case is to get nutrient level down and water change.

 

[Alfredomeinhardt]

Lots of fin damage - did that happen before or after death?

I think it was after death. I found it under two snails that were eating him

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I think it was after death. I found it under two snails that were eating him

Sorry, I can't tell you much about the dead fish's condition then.....

 

[vittpsu21]

Don't add nutrient to the tank. I just feed whatever the fish eat, no left-over food. Excessive food in a new tank with no/minimal scavenger will result in ammonia and bacterial blood. Excessive food kills, especially in a new tank.
Do water change to get nutrient down, don't over feed. MUCH BETTER to underfeed. This is from a reefer who is known to have fat fish.
Whatever you do, don't add any more fish until the tank is stable. If you have no choice, then you are going to have to do a lot of water changes, and likely will have disease breakout in your tank, and a lot more dead fish.

I don't wish to hijack his thread but am currently in search of some good information on this exact topic... if you know of anything. I recently added fish to my new tank (1 weekish) and I can clearly tell I am overfeeding and trying to scale it back before it becomes an issue. But I would love any reference or information if you know of any that is good on this! My situation is not the same as his as I have Nitrates, etc but was trying to find some good info on this!

 

[Alfredomeinhardt]

Ok. Something is defenitelly wrong here. I just put two bangai cardinals in my aquarium today (bought them from Dr. Reef) and one of them is acting up like doesn't have strenght to swim and drop to the rocks. The other one I cannot find it.

The weird thing is that all my CUC is fine and happy. I have close to 10 hermit crabs, a lot of snails, etc, and they all look fine and happy all around the tank.

I have a Duncan that is doing great and two Zoas that are opening great.

I cannot understand why the fish are not doing fine.

Should I be thinking on something on the water or maybe the rocks are leaching something that is killing the fish?? Three of the rocks came from my previous tanks and three I had them in a bucket in the garage for almost 6 months, but not close to any chemical or anything.

What you guys think??

 

[winxp_man]

If corals are fine, cuc are fine…… it’s fish disease. Haven’t read all the posts. Are your parameters in good order? They have to be if all else is good outside of fish.

 

[Alfredomeinhardt]

If corals are fine, cuc are fine…… it’s fish disease. Haven’t read all the posts. Are your parameters in good order? They have to be if all else is good outside of fish.

Yes they are. Other than my PO4 and NO3 been 0, but that shouldn’t bother the fish

 

[winxp_man]

Yes they are. Other than my PO4 and NO3 been 0, but that shouldn’t bother the fish

Salinity, pH and Ammonia are fish issues. Any thing else does not matter.

How are you acclimating your fish??

 

[Alfredomeinhardt]

Drip acclimation

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Drip acclimation

This sounds like an acclimation issue to me. It was too soon for any lingering disease to harm the fish (that takes 3+ days) and the invertebrates doing well rules out water quality issues.

I don't think Dr Reef wants you to use drip acclimation on his fish (that method has huge issues). Here is his acclimation guide:

https://drreefsquarantinedfish.com/acclimation-guide/

 

[winxp_man]

Drip acclimation

I never do drip acclimation. And have yet to lose a fish because of it. How did you do the Drip acclimation? Time wise?

 

[Alfredomeinhardt]

I never do drip acclimation. And have yet to lose a fish because of it. How did you do the Drip acclimation? Time wise?

For about 20 min

 

[winxp_man]

For about 20 min

Depending on what salinity your fish came in, 20 min not enough time. I acclimate by 1/2 cup scoop for at least 40 min.

As Jay stated acclimation issues if nothing looked wrong with the fish.