Fish died 2 hours after getting buying it

[Deadlocked]

I bought a starry blenny a couple hours ago at my LFS. i floated the fish bag in the tank for like 30 minutes and then i drip acclimated it for about an hour. It did get stuck in the bag for like 10 seconds when i was emptying the water out into my acclimation container. All i have in my tank is a royal gramma. The lights were low. I went outside for 30 minutes.. came back and it was dead.

I hate when animals die. Im really really upset. I know it's bound to happen, but 2 hours after i buy it? Im feeling pretty down right now.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Do you know the salinity of your stores tank versus your tank? Many stores hold their salinity levels low, and moving them into full salinity can be tricky.
Jay

 

[Deadlocked]

Do you know the salinity of your stores tank versus your tank? Many stores hold their salinity levels low, and moving them into full salinity can be tricky.
Jay

I know mine is 1.025.

Im not sure what their salinity is. Im going to be calling them tomorrow.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I know mine is 1.025.

Im not sure what their salinity is. Im going to be calling them tomorrow.

Yes, either the acclimation went awry (too much of a rise) or the fish was sick/weak when you bought it.
Just checking, how long was the trip home with the fish before you started acclimating it?
Jay

 

[CMMorgan]

Sorry man. Poor little fishy....

 

[Deadlocked]

Yes, either the acclimation went awry (too much of a rise) or the fish was sick/weak when you bought it.
Just checking, how long was the trip home with the fish before you started acclimating it?
Jay

Like 10-15 minutes.

 

[Cwentz758]

Also how long has the tank be running and how long has the royal gramma been in there

 

[dedragon]

this is odd, how is the tank it was going in? Parameter of your tank tested today would be good to know as well

 

[Deadlocked]

Also how long has the tank be running and how long has the royal gramma been in there

The tank has been running for a few months. The royal gramma has been in there for a month and a half.

 

[Deadlocked]

this is odd, how is the tank it was going in? Parameter of your tank tested today would be good to know as well

Which parameters

 

[dedragon]

preferably all, but for fowlr specifically, Ammonia, nitrate, phosphate, pH, temperature, and salinity.

 

[Cwentz758]

Maybe acclimated for too long as the ammonia in the bag built up then was exacerbated when you opened to drip acclimate for so long that by the time it went in it was too much?
Someone correct me if I’m wrong on the ammonia build up in the bag.

 

[Rmckoy]

Maybe acclimated for too long as the ammonia in the bag built up then was exacerbated when you opened to drip acclimate for so long that by the time it went in it was too much?
Someone correct me if I’m wrong on the ammonia build up in the bag.

I think this applies more if they are in the bags shipping days .
not 10-15 mins .
There is something suggesting over night shipping shouldn’t be acclimated long or in the bags as the ammonia will spike after the bag is opened

 

[CMMorgan]

Maybe acclimated for too long as the ammonia in the bag built up then was exacerbated when you opened to drip acclimate for so long that by the time it went in it was too much?
Someone correct me if I’m wrong on the ammonia build up in the bag.

I don't see missteps by the OP. He took this fish directly home, did a drip acclimation... I'm with Jay... I suspect the fish was already sick.

 

[Joseph ray]

Oh sorry for the loss !

 

[Ocean’s Piece]

Since no one has said it already, consider the temperature drop that may have occurred during drip acclimation. Let’s say the temp in the tank is 78, after an hour of drip acclimation, the bucket could be very low easily depending on other factors such as the temperature in your house, etc. If you throw that fish that is freezing in that cold water into a 78 degree environment, it may have shocked it and killed it. I’d recommend doing a shorter drip acclimation time or buying a small heater to maintain 78 degrees. Sorry for the loss man.

 

[LIreefguy]

Temp drop isn’t a factor , unless he lives in Siberia
I seen fish shipped in winter survive a drop to 60 degree water and still make it

and if op dripped correctly. 1 hour is more than enough. How much water did you drip in there. Did the water volume double or triple

I suspect the fish might of been sick when you purchased it

when buying saltwater fish you need to really inspect them and watch how they swim and interact with there tank mates. It’s also a good thing to ask the lfs to feed them for you

if that fish doesn’t attack the food don’t buy it

 

[Deadlocked]

Since no one has said it already, consider the temperature drop that may have occurred during drip acclimation. Let’s say the temp in the tank is 78, after an hour of drip acclimation, the bucket could be very low easily depending on other factors such as the temperature in your house, etc. If you throw that fish that is freezing in that cold water into a 78 degree environment, it may have shocked it and killed it. I’d recommend doing a shorter drip acclimation time or buying a small heater to maintain 78 degrees. Sorry for the loss man.

Except my house wasn't freezing cold. And i specifically turned my ac off and opened my window specifically for that reason. And it was like 75-77 degrees out.

 

[jmichaelh7]

Acclimation is key

 

[Deadlocked]

Temp drop isn’t a factor , unless he lives in Siberia
I seen fish shipped in winter survive a drop to 60 degree water and still make it

and if op dripped correctly. 1 hour is more than enough. How much water did you drip in there. Did the water volume double or triple

I suspect the fish might of been sick when you purchased it

when buying saltwater fish you need to really inspect them and watch how they swim and interact with there tank mates. It’s also a good thing to ask the lfs to feed them for you

if that fish doesn’t attack the food don’t buy it

Im actually from long island as well. I bought the fish at a place called Tropical showcase in Hicksville. Idk if you've heard of it. What if the fish isn't hungry? Do you think it's possible that my royal gramma attacked it when i wasnt in my room? I didn't see any bite marks though