Coral Beauty died

[volt5015]

So I added a coral Beauty to my new saltwater tank (tank has been up about 3 months). It was healthy (I thought) for 3 weeks. Tonight the fish was chilling and then started flipping all over the place and sank. All my levels are within range. Salinity is 1.024 (a little low) but not too low. Any ideas?

 

[blaxsun]

Did you notice anything post-mortem? What are your water parameters like?

 

[Gareth elliott]

3 months maybe a little early for a dwarf angel. They do an awful lot of rock grazing. And 3 months is not a lot of time for growth.

As to what killed the fish, it sounds like a spinal injury. Fish most likely rammed a rock or glass at considerable speed.

To reduce the chances of this in the future. Make sure there are ample dark caves in rockwork. And keep fast moving aggressive tankmates out, like agressive wrasse species. Keep lights on timers and try to avoid sudden movements in front of tank for first few months after introductions.

 

[vetteguy53081]

A little premature for this fish, although not impossible.
What is ammonia-nitrate-ph and what test kits are you using ?
Any rapid breathing noticed ?
Any signs of aggression or shredded fins ?

 

[volt5015]

3 months maybe a little early for a dwarf angel. They do an awful lot of rock grazing. And 3 months is not a lot of time for growth.

As to what killed the fish, it sounds like a spinal injury. Fish most likely rammed a rock or glass at considerable speed.

To reduce the chances of this in the future. Make sure there are ample dark caves in rockwork. And keep fast moving aggressive tankmates out, like agressive wrasse species. Keep lights on timers and try to avoid sudden movements in front of tank for first few months after introductions.

Did you notice anything post-mortem? What are your water parameters like?

My parameters are all in line with where they should be. I did however added 2 small conchs today. Since then my chocolate chip starfish has passed and so has the 2 conch. The clownfish, Bangalore, and blue damsel are still swimming. I have to say it was the conchs??

 

[blaxsun]

My parameters are all in line with where they should be. I did however added 2 small conchs today. Since then my chocolate chip starfish has passed and so has the 2 conch. The clownfish, Bangalore, and blue damsel are still swimming. I have to say it was the conchs??

Conches are fairly resilient, so if you're losing inverts as well as fish I'd check your water parameters (ammonia-nitrate-phosphate) as @vetteguy53081 suggested. Use a good test kit for ammonia like Salifert.

 

[volt5015]

I was

Conches are fairly resilient, so if you're losing inverts as well as fish I'd check your water parameters (ammonia-nitrate-phosphate) as @vetteguy53081 suggested. Use a good test kit for ammonia like Salifert.

actually mistaken the conchs and starfish are still alive

 

[Koty]

I would guess that your parameters are not inline

 

[Chrisv.]

Was it eating prepared foods before it died? Do you have any pods/algae in the tank?

I have to disagree with the idea that three months is too early for this fish. If it was eating it didn't starve.

 

[threebuoys]

I lost a coral beauty in similar fashion and behavior once. I've been very suspicious the the fish may have been caught by a diver using cyanide. My understanding is that the poison may take several weeks before death.

I also suspect starvation if a new fish dies in the absence of obvious parasites, no signs of damage from fighting, and other fish remaining healthy in the tank. What food and how much did you feed daily? I believe new , inexperienced fish keepers often underestimate the amount of food active species require, and rely too much on foods with very low protein and fat content (e.g. frozen brine shrimp).

EDIT: And by the way, WELCOME TO R2R! Sorry your first experience with the forum was to report a death. I'm sure you will be able to get everything back on track.