Fish Selection Help

[Jack22]

I decided to start off my new tank with a small group of green chromis. All of my research said they are good starter fish. Peaceful, hardy, and liked to school together. Seemed like the perfect fish. So I added four about a week ago thinking I would have a nice little group of green chromis swimming around to start off my tank.

Well, now I’m down to two. I’m not sure, but I think the larger ones are killing the smaller ones. They were all swimming around, eating fine. One morning the smallest one was just dead. Then the next day I saw that one of the others looked like he had a bite near his tail. This morning he was dead too. No other fish in the tank, just a dozen hermit crabs and a Sally light foot crab.

Any suggestions on a peaceful schooling fish I could add to start out my tank?

 

[Highgrade]

Did you QT the fish? Its possible the fish have velvet or uronema.

 

[Jack22]

I did not. I know it is not the preferred way to go, but just don’t have the space to set up a QT tank. No spots or anything on the fish. They didn’t show any signs of being sick.

 

[Highgrade]

I did not. I know it is not the preferred way to go, but just don’t have the space to set up a QT tank. No spots or anything on the fish. They didn’t show any signs of being sick.

Tough to say. Most fish just don't suddenly die. Even if being bullied. My money is on disease/parasites. Chromis can be jerks and can pick on the weak. Personally I wouldn't add any more fish right away. If your looking for a schooling fish I would stick with Cardinals (they school but you wont get much movement out of them) or if your tank is large enough some species of Anthias can be good candidates for a schooling fish.

Best of Luck

 

[Jack22]

Okay, so after looking up Uronema I think you are right and it was not a wound on the one fish. Unfortunately it looks like there is no way to get rid of it once it’s in your tank. Stupid rookie mistake I guess. Any ideas where to go from here?

 

[Big G]

The only way to get rid of Uronema is to tear down the tank and sterilize everything. You can't starve it away like ich/velvet: Bleach (eliminates bio-film), rinse, rinse, dry.
Nice schooling fish: Sapphire Damsels (easy to maintain) beautiful blue with a bit of black color; Anthias (more challenging and really need a mature tank)
Welcome to R2R!

 

[cracker]

wrong answer

 

[Highgrade]

Chromis seem to have uronema more often than most fish. This link by @Humblefish might help. https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/uronema-marinum.247940/

 

[desertchill]

Hi - see my thread here - similar to your story: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/chromis-and-uronema-in-new-dt-help.361623/

It seems there are a lot of differing opinions on what to do if you get uronema in your display tank. I have 2 chromis still alive and doing well after 9 days, but I haven't yet decided if I will tear down and sterilize the tank. I will definitely QT any new fish from now on.