HELP, Fish Keep Dying

[AV8R]

Idk what the issue is. I’ve lost 2 Banggai Cardinals, 1 Chromis, and a Kole tang. All tests seem to be fine. The fish start acting like they can’t swim and lay on the sand. They will occasionally move around and then they die. I’ve never seen this before. There doesn’t look to be any signs of parasites or infection.

PH 7.85
Ammonia 0
Nitrate 0
Nitrite 0
Phosphate 0.25
Salinity 1.026
Temp 77.8

 

[ndrwater]

How old is the tank? Initial reaction is Ammonia. What year kits are you using?
Have you added a new fish lately?

 

[AV8R]

How old is the tank? Initial reaction is Ammonia. What year kits are you using?
Have you added a new fish lately?

The tank is about 3 months old, and yes I have added the fish this past month. My tests are all brand new. I’m not at home at the moment so I can’t get the exact expiration but they are all new. I thought maybe ammonia too but the test kit isn’t showing any signs of it. Maybe I should get a new test kit.

 

[MERKEY]

How long do the fish last?

Sounds like an ammonia spike or you are still cycling. Interesting

 

[ZoWhat]

Your test listed above is a moment frozen in time. Show me 4 test results over 4 weeks.... then we'll see what's really going on (wink)

 

[ndrwater]

Some test kits are definitely better than others. API is notoriously inaccurate for Ammonia. There is also the possibility of something like velvet. It kills quickly.
I would test as soon as possible. Worst/best case, take the water to a local fish store to have them check for you.
I still stand by my initial gut reaction. Ammonia. If the tank is only 3 months old, it's a likely culprit. Unless you used something like Dr Tim's bacteria in a bottle, my guess that tank isn't fully cycled. Adding to many fish to soon compounds the issue

 

[MombasaLionfish]

Did you check for flukes? Or other parasite.

 

[MombasaLionfish]

Some test kits are definitely better than others. API is notoriously inaccurate for Ammonia. There is also the possibility of something like velvet. It kills quickly.
I would test as soon as possible. Worst/best case, take the water to a local fish store to have them check for you.
I still stand by my initial gut reaction. Ammonia. If the tank is only 3 months old, it's a likely culprit. Unless you used something like Dr Tim's bacteria in a bottle, my guess that tank isn't fully cycled. Adding to many fish to soon compounds the issue

+1

 

[MERKEY]

If you have the unfortunate chance to put the dead fish in fresh water we could see if any thing comes out of it.

 

[AV8R]

How long do the fish last?

Sounds like an ammonia spike or you are still cycling. Interesting

Yea I’m starting to think that’s what it is too. The fish last about a week maybe.

 

[AV8R]

Some test kits are definitely better than others. API is notoriously inaccurate for Ammonia. There is also the possibility of something like velvet. It kills quickly.
I would test as soon as possible. Worst/best case, take the water to a local fish store to have them check for you.
I still stand by my initial gut reaction. Ammonia. If the tank is only 3 months old, it's a likely culprit. Unless you used something like Dr Tim's bacteria in a bottle, my guess that tank isn't fully cycled. Adding to many fish to soon compounds the issue

Yea I have an API test kit. I will order a Red Sea one and see if I get different results. I did use a bacteria, it wasn’t Dr. Tim’s but I did use some. I’ll add another bottle tomorrow after doing a decent size water change. Also I may have triggered a mini cycle with my feeding of frozen foods.

 

[AV8R]

Your test listed above is a moment frozen in time. Show me 4 test results over 4 weeks.... then we'll see what's really going on (wink)

I’ve been bad about keeping all of my test results but this is a majority of them.

 

[AV8R]

Did you check for flukes? Or other parasite.

How would I do this?

 

[4FordFamily]

An ammonia alert badge by sea chem is a must IMO for newer tanks.

I assume you do not quarantine?

 

[ndrwater]

Yea I have an API test kit. I will order a Red Sea one and see if I get different results. I did use a bacteria, it wasn’t Dr. Tim’s but I did use some. I’ll add another bottle tomorrow after doing a decent size water change. Also I may have triggered a mini cycle with my feeding of frozen foods.

Adding more bacteria will help. FWIW, the Frozen in and of itself won't add to the Ammonia issue... Unless.... You are overfeeding.
Whatever food you feed, should be completely gone and eaten is about 2-3 minutes. Anything more is a waste and can contribute to higher Ammonia levels.
I would suggest that however many fish are left, be the only fish in the tank for a bit. Let things settle down. If getting a test Kit (Red Sea is a good one) get the Saltwater Master. It has the big 3. Ammonia, Nitrite, and Nitrate. Test at least weekly until Ammonia and Nitrate are consistently at Zero. Then and only then, consider adding more fish. And THEN... give the tank a couple of weeks to re stabilize. Use the test kits often. It will lead to a better understanding of how things work AND... lead to good habits in the future..

 

[MombasaLionfish]

How would I do this?

Prepare a bowl of fresh water catch the fish and put them in the water for about a minute. Make sure you keep the moving the whole time. Then if white flakes off or other stuff falls off the fish those are flukes or ich. You can treat with prazipro or copper.

 

[AV8R]

Adding more bacteria will help. FWIW, the Frozen in and of itself won't add to the Ammonia issue... Unless.... You are overfeeding.
Whatever food you feed, should be completely gone and eaten is about 2-3 minutes. Anything more is a waste and can contribute to higher Ammonia levels.
I would suggest that however many fish are left, be the only fish in the tank for a bit. Let things settle down. If getting a test Kit (Red Sea is a good one) get the Saltwater Master. It has the big 3. Ammonia, Nitrite, and Nitrate. Test at least weekly until Ammonia and Nitrate are consistently at Zero. Then and only then, consider adding more fish. And THEN... give the tank a couple of weeks to re stabilize. Use the test kits often. It will lead to a better understanding of how things work AND... lead to good habits in the future..

Should I turn off the skimmer after adding more of the bacteria? Idk if the skimmer pulls it out of the water?

 

[AV8R]

Correct, I do not quarantine.