First casualty...

[spero]

I lost my first fish today, not happy about it :sad: I've had a 28g nano cube running for almost 6 months. Put a blenny and firefish in along they way. Both have done great, along with various LPS and softies. I added an Ocellaris two days ago - little guy, probably a little over an inch or so.

Seemed ok on the first day, swimming quite a bit and I believe he even nibbled on some cyclopleeze. Yesterday he still seemed good, breathing a little heavy and not swimming as much. I also noticed that his face seemed a little faded, almost a white splochy color. Didn't eat at all and stayed closer to the top of the tank. Woke up this morning 7 hours later and he was in the arms of my coral banded shrimp.

Few param's:
Alk - 9.2
Cal - 410
Mg - 1500
Salinity - 1.026
Amm, Nit, Nat - to be honest, haven't checked in a few weeks as everything was smooth. Checked Amm tonight and it's 0.

Any thoughts? I'm a little suprised and disappointed. Don't think it was ich as the decline happened so fast. I read about brook, could be it but his body was far from covered with white slime. I tested the salinity from the store and it was reading 1.023 with my refrac. I aclimated the fish for about 30 mins to get the salinity equal (bag in the tank adding tank water every 5 mins or so).

Lesson learned = get a QT tank. Wasn't planning on adding much livestock to this tank, so didn't see an urgent need. I'm somewhat nervous that the other 2 healthy fish could become affected. I won't add anything further until I have a running QT.

 

[Aquaph8]

Dont rule out that the Coral banded shrimp didn't catch him. Ive seen them catch small fish, they do scavenge already dead ones too though. Keep an eye on your other fish for any signs of disease, pay close attention to the fins for any spots. As far as you acclimation goes consider setting up a drip with a piece of airline tubing. Just tie a knot in the line and start a siphon, you can tighten the knot to control the flow to a drip. QT is always a great idea too. Let us know how it goes.

 

[spero]

The thought crossed my mind that the CBS might have caught him. I've seen him lunge at the other 2 fish if they swim by his cave, but the fish seem too quick. The new clown was even quicker, so I didn't think the CBS could get him. Plus he wasn't looking all that great when I went to sleep. Are CBS's known to grab live fish like that?

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Also sometimes they just don't make the switch and die. Sorry.

 

[spero]

I hear ya Rev, just frustrating when it's somewhat unexplained. Although I'm sure it won't be the last unexplained thing to happen in my tank.

On the plus side, just got home from work and the other 2 guys appear to be doing well. As is everything else in the tank. Test kit still isn't reading any ammonia, which was another thing I was fearful of. He couldn't have been dead for more than 4-5 hours, so I didn't think he'd release that much ammonia in a little time. Wasn't sure though.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Honestly I have lost a couple of clowns over the years for no apparent reason.

 

[Aquaph8]

I doubt he Would catch a healthy, fully alert clown but in a weakened state it's quite possible. I had one years ago that would take out healthy gobies and even fire fish. Like Rev said though, sometimes it just happens. Sorry for your loss.