Need Urgent Help

[Duane family]

There has to be something toxic in this tank. There is no parasite or infection which can claim a fish in a few hours.

I understand that you have tested for the usual parameters with multiple test kits. You will need to do a full analysis of all compounds in your water. You will find something there which is the issue.

You could literally have better results putting the fish into an ice cream container with water.

It sounds like this has happened a few times , how many clown fish do you have in the other tank then ?

 

[EdinburghReef]

There has to be something toxic in this tank. There is no parasite or infection which can claim a fish in a few hours.

I understand that you have tested for the usual parameters with multiple test kits. You will need to do a full analysis of all compounds in your water. You will find something there which is the issue.

You could literally have better results putting the fish into an ice cream container with water.

It sounds like this has happened a few times , how many clown fish do you have in the other tank then ?

Thanks for the reply,
First clownfish lasted 2 hours seemed fine for half an hour, started heavy breathing and darting after that.
Second clownfish died after 3 hours same happened
Third clownfish lasted I assume 6-9 hours. Didn’t see any signs of stress.
One thing I can note with all clownfish is their fins deteriorate almost immediately.
I have two more clowns left in the other tank. All my fish are super healthy and happy in that tank. So it looks

 

[EdinburghReef]

The fish come from a mature tank, which I do not test nor do water changes. The coral and fish are very happy, so I just let the ecosystem do it’s thing.

 

[EdinburghReef]

Whilst I cannot advise on what is causing them to die so quickly, you could possibly place them in a isolation box in the tank and observe for the 1st hour or so. That way if you see any sign of problems you can get them out easier.

Any random things like sprays used in the house, or used putty to bond rocks?
Was the PH of 7.9 in the morning or at night?

Yeah just the DD construction putty nothing crazy. PH is stable all day around that. I don’t really think the box would do any good as I know the symptoms what happens every single time.

 

[EdinburghReef]

Basically what happens everytime, fish finish drip accumulation. Seem very happy for the first half hour. Start showing signs of serious stress very rapidly from there and pass away.

 

[BiggF!sh]

What if there is not enough oxygen and the fish are drowning??

 

[EdinburghReef]

What if there is not enough oxygen and the fish are drowning??

Running Red Sea 5550 and two 45 wave pumps and have windows open, so doubt it
Return is set to 50% and wave makers are both 40%

 

[Polymate3D]

Yeah just the DD construction putty nothing crazy. PH is stable all day around that. I don’t really think the box would do any good as I know the symptoms what happens every single time.

I asked about the putty because I used a entire stick in a 50L aquarium and killed almost everything overnight.

The talc from within the putty sucked out all the oxygen. What little did survive (crab and some soft corals) died off over the next 8 weeks as I tried to recover from it.

The result was rising calcium and alkalinity from the organisms that had died off in the tank. The tank used to however at 8.1 to 8.3 but after this was constantly in the 7.8<8.0 region.

Your tank is much much bigger, but how much did you use?

DD was the exact brand I used too, but like I say. Vastly smaller tank and no skimmer. Just giving you my experience in case your tank happens to follow the same path.

I wish you much luck

- Paul

 

[vetteguy53081]

If its just the clown only, toxicity may not be the issue.
How are you acclimating and how long?
Pics always helpful looking for aggression and other clues ?
Do you know if thus us tank raised or wild species and are you getting each one from same store/outlet?

As for compound, certain ones DO have adverse effect on the fish

 

[littlefoxx]

How is your oxygen and surface disturbance? Wondering if that might be the issue

 

[aSaltyKlown]

If these are coming from an established tank of yours in the same ares, any reason you are drip acclimating? Are both tank parameters that far off?

Also, you say the fins start to deteriorate, can you elaborate on that?

 

[EdinburghReef]

If its just the clown only, toxicity may not be the issue.
How are you acclimating and how long?
Pics always helpful looking for aggression and other clues ?
Do you know if thus us tank raised or wild species and are you getting each one from same store/outlet?

As for compound, certain ones DO have adverse effect on the fish

I’ve tried 3 different clowns all from different stores. Acclimating for 45 minutes and captive bred.

 

[EdinburghReef]

If these are coming from an established tank of yours in the same ares, any reason you are drip acclimating? Are both tank parameters that far off?

Also, you say the fins start to deteriorate, can you elaborate on that?

I’m drip acclimating because the parameters in the new tank are perfect, whereas in the old mature tank I don’t even do water changes and don’t know parameters. Haven’t checked because everything is so happy. Yes the find start to deteriorate all over slowly. Not sure how it’s happening. I have pictures I posted in the medic forum. Not sure if I can post them here.

 

[EdinburghReef]

I asked about the putty because I used a entire stick in a 50L aquarium and killed almost everything overnight.

The talc from within the putty sucked out all the oxygen. What little did survive (crab and some soft corals) died off over the next 8 weeks as I tried to recover from it.

The result was rising calcium and alkalinity from the organisms that had died off in the tank. The tank used to however at 8.1 to 8.3 but after this was constantly in the 7.8<8.0 region.

Your tank is much much bigger, but how much did you use?

DD was the exact brand I used too, but like I say. Vastly smaller tank and no skimmer. Just giving you my experience in case your tank happens to follow the same path.

I wish you much luck

- Paul

I’ve used that putty in all my tanks before with no issue. Even while the fish are in the tank I’ve added it. Same batch

 

[Fenral]

Deep sigh—sorry to hear about your troubles. But hours later, all the tests are coming back clean. You either (not meaning to be exclusive. There are other things, too) have a very aggressive biological vector in your tank or a toxic agent not detected by your tests (and maybe even ICP tests) causing cellular failure.

If you have a microscope, look at the dead fish scales and what is in the water...

Best of luck.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I’m drip acclimating because the parameters in the new tank are perfect, whereas in the old mature tank I don’t even do water changes and don’t know parameters. Haven’t checked because everything is so happy. Yes the find start to deteriorate all over slowly. Not sure how it’s happening. I have pictures I posted in the medic forum. Not sure if I can post them here.

I’m not a fan of drip method but please describe your entire process of acclimating such as temperature adjustment, etc

 

[EdinburghReef]

I’m not a fan of drip method but please describe your entire process of acclimating such as temperature adjustment, etc

I put water from old tank into bucket, add the fish then get a small drip acclimation hose and make a small kink for a drop or so every second. Leave for 45 min

 

[Tamberav]

Drip acclimation adds extra stress and rarely ever needed also a drip a second is generally never fast enough anywho.

This may not be the issue but it isn't helping.

The only thing that matters is salinity and temp. If salinity is close, float and add the fish.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I put water from old tank into bucket, add the fish then get a small drip acclimation hose and make a small kink for a drop or so every second. Leave for 45 min

You want too add contents from bag first then add tank water via drip adding drops until the bucket water salinity matches that of the display tank. There are many methods of acclimating. here is how I do mine but is Not the only method:

I generally:
Float for 20-30 minutes
Transfer fish and water into a clean bucket
Then . . . .
Measure the Ph, salinity and temperature of the bag water. If you can, make up some water in a container that has exactly the same measurements as the bag readings and move the fish right over, then you can add a cup of tank water to bucket every 15 mins 6 times (almost 1.5 hours)
Then check salinity in bucket and compare to tank. If no match or very close, add a cup of water every few mins until youve reached salinity and trap fish in same cup and pour off water and release into display. Release under LOW light before lights out.

 

[EdinburghReef]

You want too add contents from bag first then add tank water via drip adding drops until the bucket water salinity matches that of the display tank. There are many methods of acclimating. here is how I do mine but is Not the only method:

I generally:
Float for 20-30 minutes
Transfer fish and water into a clean bucket
Then . . . .
Measure the Ph, salinity and temperature of the bag water. If you can, make up some water in a container that has exactly the same measurements as the bag readings and move the fish right over, then you can add a cup of tank water to bucket every 15 mins 6 times (almost 1.5 hours)
Then check salinity in bucket and compare to tank. If no match or very close, add a cup of water every few mins until youve reached salinity and trap fish in same cup and pour off water and release into display. Release under LOW light before lights out.

Thanks I’ll do this next time, but surely this isn’t down to me drip acclimating fish. Especially the way that they all die everytime?