So my tank is cycled all my parameters seem fine water quality is good but my fish seem stressed im not overstocked got the new additions saturday and they havent ate much and some are showing reclusive behavior that i didnt see before a bit concerned any input would be appreciated
Added new tank mates
- Thread starter kp1991
- Start date
- Tagged users None
How old is the tank? Did you qt the fish? What fish was in prior if any? What did you add? All this will help us help you. More info on size of tank and parameters are needed also.
NeuroticAquatics
Valuable Member
Yeah...more info is needed here...how big is the tank? How many fish did you add? What are the parameters?
Fish not eating the first few days is common. Fish hiding for several days is common.
Fish not eating the first few days is common. Fish hiding for several days is common.
Tank is about 2months old exsisting coral beauty 2inch banghai cardi 2inch added 6line wrasse 2inch pink dottyback 2inch and snowflake clown 2inch fish are same size all from a clean source i know i took a risk not qt the fish but dont currently have qt tank in place yet i plan to make one for future incoming tank mates...
Parameters
Ph 8.1
Carbonate dkh 120
Ammonia 0ppm
Nitrate 20ppm
Nitrite 0ppm
Other parameters i cant currently test as i do not have a refractometer or other test instrument
That is a large bioload for a 20g long tank. The dottyback will hide for a bit, no surprise there. The clown should be the first to come out once settled. I have never had one really hide much. However, in that small of a tank, you could get some o2 issues and ammonia issues from bioload.
What filtration do you have? Do you have only fish or are you using live rock?
What filtration do you have? Do you have only fish or are you using live rock?
NeuroticAquatics
Valuable Member
Just my opinion, but that is a lot of fish for a 20g, given what they are. Clowns can be nasty/territorial. Pink Dottybacks (pseudochromis in general) can be very nasty...same with six line wrasses. Also, IMO, a 20g is too small for a Coral Beauty.
The not eating and hiding is common but with a mix of fish like that in a small setup, I would expect issues as soon as they settle in.
The not eating and hiding is common but with a mix of fish like that in a small setup, I would expect issues as soon as they settle in.
melypr1985
totally addicted
I would suggest you get a refractometer asap. That is KEY when keeping saltwater fish. You need that to know that you are acclimating the fish correctly in the first place and also to know that you are keeping the salinity in the display stable. Also, knowing the ammonia level is key after adding half your current bioload all at once in a new tank.
Well water parameters are good everything is stable i did make the fatal mistake of not quarantining my fish from the lfs before introducing saw they looked healthy so i bought them already lost 3 already to what i believe im battling a parasitic outbreak possible bacterial following i have been treating but seems no success so far as i can tell im awaiting payday in a few days to setup a hospital tank hopefully it dont stress the fish though and i loose them all im new to the saltwater scene and made some rookie mistakes if i remove the fish into a hospital tank and leave my dt in fallow i should be able to kill off ich as no host no food? Should i keep treating dt during fallow? Any advice is welcome
Mr. Limpid
Active Member
My first advise, slow down. 2 month old tank is not long enough for the amount of fish you have. Yes please set up the QT, a ten gallon will work with a sponge filter, suggestion buy sponge filter for 20gal. big filtration is better. I would add a fish a month, let bacteria time to catch up. When adding fish start with the least aggressive first then the most aggressive last. Good Luck, take a breath and enjoy the hobby.
Ok thanks i got a little over excited and bad results are coming about lessons learned i hope my six line wrasse and snowflake clown hold out my coral beauty is done for i think by the time i get home from work shell be gone hopefully not i still have faith but idk shes really sick
NeuroticAquatics
Valuable Member
I would get it properly diagnosed over in that section of this forum. Lots of people that know A LOT over there.
Read up on how to properly QT fish and then do it moving forward. I’ve had my current 240g tank decimated by disease twice now due to not doing QT on every single addition. I no longer trust anyone when bringing in a new fish. I treat all incoming with Prazipro for parasites and with copper for possible Ich/velvet. I emptied my tank, cleaned and dried everything but the live rock which has been in water in containers since late last year. I’m done with diseases wiping out my tanks.
Read up on how to properly QT fish and then do it moving forward. I’ve had my current 240g tank decimated by disease twice now due to not doing QT on every single addition. I no longer trust anyone when bringing in a new fish. I treat all incoming with Prazipro for parasites and with copper for possible Ich/velvet. I emptied my tank, cleaned and dried everything but the live rock which has been in water in containers since late last year. I’m done with diseases wiping out my tanks.
HotRocks
Fish Fanatic!
I know the topic of management VS eradication and a Disease free DT brings much controversy. You are doing it right IMO. Luckily I joined the hobby with @4FordFamily by my side and had him to guide me properly. Now I am teaching him stuff! Lol that is a joke...
4FordFamily
Tang, Angel, and Wrasse Nerd!
No it’s actually true!
Finally established that it was marine velvet that tore through my tank and wiped out my entire stock of fish reason i say its velvet is the blanket of white spots and the texture of it and how fast they went i mean 3 days my entire tank done for poor things ill never make the mistake of not quarantining fish aqain watch out for velvet peeps that faka will fuk yur tank up
