First fish in quarantine - One didn't make it

[jhatfield]

Got my first ever shipment of fish today, 2 Occ clowns as well as some cleanup crew. Drip acclimated the clowns for 45 min while removing about 1 cup of water every 15min. Soon after transferring the clowns to the quarantine tank (10gal, heater, hang on back filter, pvc fittings, 0 Ammonia) the smaller of the two clowns began swimming vertically at the surface of the water. Less then twenty min later he had stopped swimming altogether and was dead about 5min after that. No visible spots or any other signs of disease or parasites.

The larger clown seems to be doing well though not eating yet. I'm trying to determine what constitutes heavy breathing. Mouth is moving fairly rapidly but gills don't seem to be laboring.

The acclimation tank has been set up for about 10 days. Using a filter sponge that went through the cycle in my main display.

Right now I'm guessing stress and to increase acclimation time. Any other ideas or what to try differently next time?

 

[CarrieB]

Search on the pitfalls of drip acclimation. Longer than 30 minutes risks exposing the fish to significant ammonia if the fish has been in the bag for a long time.

Next time, set the salinity of the QT to match the shipping water. Float bag for 15 minutes and then move the fish without transferring transport water.

Or add Prime to the shipping water but only if you are sure it has no copper in it.

 

[CarrieB]

@Humblefish Is there any suggested treatment for ammonia exposure?

 

[jhatfield]

Here's the remaining clown. In addition to not eating it appears to swimming in place/into the flow of the HOB overflow at the end of the tank. Not sure if this is something to be concerned about since the flow is fairly weak but still kind of odd.

 

[mitchell01]

Here's the remaining clown. In addition to not eating it appears to swimming in place/into the flow of the HOB overflow at the end of the tank. Not sure if this is something to be concerned about since the flow is fairly weak but still kind of odd.

Are there any visible signs because that is one sign of velvet

 

[Humblefish]

I wrote this a while back: How to Acclimate

You can perform a MB bath for ammonia exposure: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/methylene-blue.257467/

 

[jhatfield]

Are there any visible signs because that is one sign of velvet

Skin looks clean and clear. No spots on fins. Mysis and pellets are still a no go.

 

[mitchell01]

Skin looks clean and clear. No spots on fins. Mysis and pellets are still a no go.

Hmm have you tried selcon or garlic

 

[jhatfield]

Hmm have you tried selcon or garlic

The mysis was soaked in selcon.

 

[jhatfield]

I wrote this a while back: How to Acclimate

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/how-to-acclimate.192300/
Good info. At what point do you add the Prime? I'm guessing right after opening the bag.(?)

You can perform a MB bath for ammonia exposure: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/methylene-blue.257467/

I'll see if I can get my hands on some MB.

 

[melypr1985]

Skin looks clean and clear. No spots on fins. Mysis and pellets are still a no go.

Brook and velvet can sometimes hit a fish hard in the gills only and not show any outward symptoms. Especially one that is stressed from ammonia exposure and a long transport. This could be either. Ammonia exposure will usually show up as redness around the gills. I would try a freshwater dip on him and see if he gets some relief from it.

At what point do you add the Prime? I'm guessing right after opening the bag.(?)

Assuming there is no copper in the water (ask the people who shipped the fish to you about that), then you can put a drop or two of prime in the water as soon as you open the bag. The PH will start to rise as soon as the bag is opened and the ammonia built up in the bag will start to become toxic. It really is better if you can match your QT's salinity to the water in the bag. Then you just float for temp and release. Easy peasy.

 

[4FordFamily]

Search on the pitfalls of drip acclimation. Longer than 30 minutes risks exposing the fish to significant ammonia if the fish has been in the bag for a long time.

Next time, set the salinity of the QT to match the shipping water. Float bag for 15 minutes and then move the fish without transferring transport water.

Or add Prime to the shipping water but only if you are sure it has no copper in it.

This, 100%. Ammonia is the killer in qt and during acclimation.

 

[Best Fish-Jake]

What was the salinity difference between the clown's water and your QT's? Any jump more than 2 pts in an hour can cause stress on any fish...

 

[Humblefish]

This, 100%. Ammonia is the killer in qt and during acclimation.

What was the salinity difference between the clown's water and your QT's? Any jump more than 2 pts in an hour can cause stress on any fish...

+1

 

[jhatfield]

What was the salinity difference between the clown's water and your QT's? Any jump more than 2 pts in an hour can cause stress on any fish...

I never checked the bag salinity, just started right in on the drip. Basically followed the acclimation instructions that came with the order.

Moving forward I'll be ready with the Prime when the bags are opened as well as monitoring salinity.

 

[jhatfield]

All, thanks for your help on this. As frustrating as it is I've certainly learned a ton from this and any critters going into my tank from here on out will appreciate what I've learned as well.

The clown is still not eating. Swimming around exploring the quarantine tank. Occasional stops to poke at the surface as if it's eating an invisible piece of mysis or pellet. Metheline Blue is in the mail.

Believe it or not the clown issue was just the start of my woes with this livestock purchase. For more gory details... New Red Sea Reefer 170