Clownfish death

[instantaquatics]

Trying to find out why my clown died.

At the store, he was sort of swimming near the ground. I just thought it was strange clownfish behavior so I let it slide, alongnwith him laying down in the bag (thought that was from stress).

As I got home, I temperature acclimated the 2 snowflake clownfish and then drip acclimated. One was still laying on the ground, let's name him "nick" for the sake of this post.

In the tank, Nick laid down and started breathing heavily on his side. He also started to gasp for air at the top. This went on for a day until it was happening all the time. I thought to myself "it must be ammonia burn."

I checked the parameters and surprised to see 0.50 ammonia in the tank, so I added zeolite, a media that removes ammonia. I also did a 20% water change and added beneficial bacteria. The other clownfish was doing perfectly fine.

To my surprise, Nick ended up dying. 0.50ppm ammonia should NOT have killed a clownfish, and I doubt it was the ammonia since it was acting weird in the store and bag.

I looked at the dead fish's body and saw no symptoms of brook or velvet, no white spots or flaky skin, no loss of color. What the bleep happened to Nick?

 

[Captain Quint]

Hello instantaquatics how long has your tank been set up?

I'm sorry your fish died but you kind of just told us why. Granted the clown might have already been suffering and yes there could have been factors contributing to the fish death. But without specific information, we cannot diagnose.

You wrote 'Nick ended up dying. 0.50ppm ammonia should NOT have killed a clownfish, and I doubt it was the ammonia since it was acting weird in the store and bag.' When in fact it is what ultimately killed the fish and may kill the others.

If it were me I'd wait for the nitrogen process to be complete before introducing any fishes.

Your tank is cycling IME and IMHO.

 

[instantaquatics]

Hello instantaquatics how long has your tank been set up?

I'm sorry your fish died but you kind of just told us why. Granted the clown might have already been suffering and yes there could have been factors contributing to the fish death. But without specific information, we cannot diagnose.

You wrote 'Nick ended up dying. 0.50ppm ammonia should NOT have killed a clownfish, and I doubt it was the ammonia since it was acting weird in the store and bag.' When in fact it is what ultimately killed the fish and may kill the others.

If it were me I'd wait for the nitrogen process to be complete before introducing any fishes.

Your tank is cycling IME and IMHO.

It has been up for 25 days.

 

[HotRocks]

I agree with @Captain Quint, ammonia is the likely culprit here.

Even Trace amounts of ammonia can begin to cause damage internally. It sounds like the fish may have already been weak from the beginning and the ammonia was too much for the fish to handle. Your tank is not cycled yet if the biofilter is not processing ammonia. You should never have any registering amount.

Sorry for your loss

 

[Captain Quint]

It has been up for 25 days.

I understand and honestly not trying to be ugly. But if one has ammonia there is a problem. Did you check nitrite and nitrates? More info would be helpful is all. If it had in fact cycled in 25 days there is something askew.

Just trying to help and to understand. I humbly apologize if you were offended. I was just writing about what I had read with limited info.

I've had some tanks take two to three months to cycle. Granted it was with all new everything.

 

[instantaquatics]

I understand and honestly not trying to be ugly. But if one has ammonia there is a problem. Did you check nitrite and nitrates? More info would be helpful is all. If it had in fact cycled in 25 days there is something askew.

Just trying to help and to understand. I humbly apologize if you were offended. I was just writing about what I had read with limited info.

I've had some tanks take two to three months to cycle. Granted it was with all new everything.

Apologies for not writing out full parameters, and no you do not sound rude or anything.

Nitrates and nitrites were both 0. I could have sworn the tank cycled though :/ I've been adding bacteria for a couple days now so I hope that helps.

 

[Captain Quint]

Apologies for not writing out full parameters, and no you do not sound rude or anything.

Nitrates and nitrites were both 0. I could have sworn the tank cycled though :/ I've been adding bacteria for a couple days now so I hope that helps.

No need to apologize my friend. I just want the best for you and your fish pets. I really do.

 

[instantaquatics]

No need to apologize my friend. I just want the best for you and your fish pets. I really do.

Update: Nothing in the tank happened after this death, leading me to believe it was neurological.

 

[Captain Quint]

Update: Nothing in the tank happened after this death, leading me to believe it was neurological.

Good to hear of no further loss and that's a definite possibility.

 

[Tuan’s Reef]

My fire fish died yesterday as well. No signs of trauma or disease either. Could be my newly cycled tank but the other critters is fine. Guess some just die for unknown reason. My fish was eating and fat as well.

 

[Tuan’s Reef]

Plus I found a dead emerald crab in my DT as well