Clowns Struggling

saltysailor · Sep 6, 2020

They both died and I feel terrible. I think they were getting beat up against the rocks because the flow was too much. My tank was supposed to be cycled so I don’t know if it’s that but either way I feel like a failure.

JaykS · Sep 6, 2020

saltysailor said:
They both died and I feel terrible. I think they were getting beat up against the rocks because the flow was too much. My tank was supposed to be cycled so I don’t know if it’s that but either way I feel like a failure.

Sorry for your loss. From your video previously, it didn't really look like they were struggling from flow however you would know better since you've watched them more than me.

I do want to point out for you though that in the video I did see a white spot, I can't tell if there are more since the fish itself is mostly white. Also, again once ich shows on the body, its already in the gills, and that's the problem spot

For your next fish personally I would set up a qt, even just for good measure. You never know what is lurking in your lfs stores water

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Deschutes541 · Sep 6, 2020

saltysailor said:
They both died and I feel terrible. I think they were getting beat up against the rocks because the flow was too much. My tank was supposed to be cycled so I don’t know if it’s that but either way I feel like a failure.

I, and most people on this site, understand how you feel. Try to use this as a teaching moment. Don't beat yourself up. Your #1 job now is to find out why they died. I would start by testing your parameters now before the fish contaminate the tank any further.

You mentioned you used RODI water. Is this from your own system or from a fish store?

It could be a disease like ich. I would strongly suggest using a quarantine tank before putting fish (or frags) into your display tank. Mine is super simple. It's two large diameter (2") PVC elbows, an oversized sponge filter, a heater, and a cheap hydor powerhead all in a 10 gallon tank.

j.falk · Sep 6, 2020

Sorry to hear that. It's hard to say what exactly it was that did them in, but I agree with the above...go through and check all of your parameters first and look for anything that might not be right. For them to die within 2 days of adding them to the tank, that tells me that something was seriously wrong...and usually that something is something simple that got overlooked and could probably easily be corrected. I would also recommend that you try cheaper fish next time instead of high dollar designer clowns. You want something cheap and hardy to make sure the tank is safe before investing the money into the expensive stuff.

j.falk · Sep 7, 2020

I would also recommend that you stop using API test kits as they don't always give accurate results. Try Salifert...they are affordable and will give you a better reading on what your actual levels are.

Sick_man · Sep 7, 2020

My clownfish turn pale and really restless when the whole room is dark at night. I think they are sleeping. Once there is light they are revived. You might be in a similar situation.

j.falk · Sep 7, 2020

saltysailor said:
They both died.

Sick_man said:
My clownfish turn pale and really restless when the whole room is dark at night. I think they are sleeping. Once there is light they are revived. You might be in a similar situation.

Hmm...

smacbride · Sep 7, 2020

j.falk said:
Sorry to hear that. It's hard to say what exactly it was that did them in, but I agree with the above...go through and check all of your parameters first and look for anything that might not be right. For them to die within 2 days of adding them to the tank, that tells me that something was seriously wrong...and usually that something is something simple that got overlooked and could probably easily be corrected. I would also recommend that you try cheaper fish next time instead of high dollar designer clowns. You want something cheap and hardy to make sure the tank is safe before investing the money into the expensive stuff.

Just stay away from black damsels! I started my hobby with this and he proceeded to kill several ($$$) of fish I added later. Had to get rid of him. Go for the $19 percula clown.