Fish Suddenly Dies

bumper45 · Mar 17, 2016

I have 150 Gallon marine fish only tank. Its been up for over a year. Reef Octopus skimmer and a Jecod/Jebao DCT Marine Controllable Water Pump DCT-12000. In any case all levels came back normal, slight amount of nitrates. In any case today a butterfly suddenly died, was out eating earlier and seem quite healthy. About 2 hours after eating he was laying at the bottom of the tank, I inspected him and there are no sighs of infection, cuts, abraisons or anything else abnormal. This is the third fish I have lost in the past week. Another Butterfly and a Cowfish. I don't know if it bacterial or possible parasitic. If anyone has a clue or a way to treat this, your help would be appreciated. Thanks

jamie callard · Mar 18, 2016

following want to see what others say. Hope you dont have to lose any more fish

maroun.c · Mar 18, 2016

I've had a clownfish going from normal to instant dead in less than 30 min. But as you mention it's the third fish this week better check things like electrical leaks. You mention fish looked intact so no mantis or other which makes it weird. Any changes or additions lately?

bumper45 · Mar 18, 2016

As far as electrical leaks, I have a grounding probe in the sump. Added a small striped Grouper last week and he is fine so far. We have suspected that he might of brought in an internal parasite otherwise with no outward signs of disease. I was hoping for suggestions.

NYAquatic · Mar 18, 2016

Which fish died first?
If cowfish, it's possible he released toxins that killed the other.
Big water change might be in order

bumper45 · Mar 18, 2016

It was a butterfly first then the cow fish. The cowfish was only about 1 1/2 " long. Thanks I was going to start making water.

Humblefish · Mar 18, 2016

How long ago was the last fish added to this tank?

rosegirl37 · Mar 18, 2016

he was added over a week ago

Humblefish · Mar 18, 2016

rosegirl37 said:
he was added over a week ago

It's possible you are dealing with a disease that is harboring inside the gills; which is why you are not seeing any visible physical symptoms (like white dots).

Are any of your fish breathing heavy, twitching their heads, or scratching on the rocks/sand?

Any fish purposely staying out of the light or swimming into the flow of a powerhead?

bumper45 · Mar 18, 2016

As far as fish breathing heavy I have not noticed. Periodically some fish swim into the power heads. Otherwise nothing else that is unusual.

bumper45 · Mar 18, 2016

Ido have somewhat high phosphate levels and I am going treat that with Phosbuster

Humblefish · Mar 18, 2016

bumper45 said:
Periodically some fish swim into the power heads.

^^ Is this new behavior or have they always done this?

JMacedo · Mar 18, 2016

bumper45 said:
As far as electrical leaks, I have a grounding probe in the sump. Added a small striped Grouper last week and he is fine so far. We have suspected that he might of brought in an internal parasite otherwise with no outward signs of disease. I was hoping for suggestions.

If there is some serious stray voltage in your tank, the grounding probe might be the culprit as it makes a current path and can make things worse. I am no electrician but I think you should ask the opinion of one. There is some good info about it in the book "The Reef Aquarium - Science, Art and Technology" by J. Charles Delbeek and Julian Sprung. Just trying to help with ideas...

bumper45 · Mar 19, 2016

Thank you I will check into that. I want also modify the statement I made about fish swimming into the powerheads. They only swim towards the flow and stay in the current at times.

Duke4Life · Mar 19, 2016

bumper45 said:
Thank you I will check into that. I want also modify the statement I made about fish swimming into the powerheads. They only swim towards the flow and stay in the current at times.

The swimming towards the flow is this new? Or always done, I know some fish do but not all.