Help I do not know what is going on with my tank!!

[rocknerd8509]

Hey All:

So I have a 24-gallon cube that has been set up for 2 months and had a small anthias ( setting up a bigger tank at the moment and was going to put him/her in there once completed), a royal gramma, three blue chromis, two clowns and a flasher wrasse ( I also have a handful of snails and a cleaner shrimp). I am always on top of water changes ( about 5-gallons every 7-10 days) and I check my levels every 1-to-2 days ( PH 8.1, ammonia 0 [ I use the the API test kits which I know can be difficult with the colors, so I have also brought it to some LFS and had it tested and they also said 0], nitrites are 0 and nitrates are around 20, lastly salinity is 1.025 and temp ranges from 78-to-79).

Soo now that the background of the tank is outlined here is my issue. I bought three fish a couple weeks ago from a LFS ( I had never been there before people in the area recommended it to me) one of the fish (a Vanderbilt chromis) I had gotten lasted all of 24 hours in the tank. I chalked that up to maybe just was very stressed out moving from the store to my tank because I don't know how long they were in the store or whatever ( I go over the top rope when acclimating fish into my tanks [I float them about 20 minutes, dump 1/4 of the bag water fill it with my water and repeat floating and changing water until its basically all my water before releasing the fish......I know I should have a QT but I am new to this.....]). So about 3 days later I notice the flasher wrasse that I had gotten was circling the drain quickly and did not make it. About 2 weeks later ( this was this Friday that just passed) I woke up to the anthias dead and I was okay now what is going on here. I did a 5-gallon water change and made sure that again my levels were checked (bought water to 3 stores to have it tested on top of me doing it and all levels checked out).... Now this is where it gets really fun... I chalked up loosing the fish from the store as just a loss, my levels were fine and nothing else was stressed out in the tank, or so what I though... I went to bed Friday night said good night to the remaining fish and went to bed. When I had woken up in the morning the royal gramma had also passed ( I did notice some red spots on the yellow portion of him/her).... Again tested my water and all good so know it is most likely some kind of infection, SOOOOOOO long story aside, I have zero idea on what to do to save the remaining fish in the tank and when it would be safe to put more fish back in. I just want to make sure that I am not hurting fish that I buy or anything. And again woke up this morning to one of my chromis also dead. So if anyone actually took the time to read this long winded post and has anything they suggest it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much!!

 

[Jekyl]

How many fish total in there?

 

[rocknerd8509]

How many fish total in there?

Right now there are 4

 

[Jekyl]

Sounds like aggression from the red spots. I wouldn't add any more fish and see how it goes.

 

[jradishness]

First off, Welcome to Reef2Reef! Lots of great advice here on the forum, so good luck.

I’d suggest QT for all new additions, especially anything from new un-trusted sources. Also, that’s a lot of fish to add to such a small tank in such a short time. Could definitely be aggression as previously suggested. Patience is your friend here.

Anybody to give you specifics on the fish deaths is probably going to want photos to help with diagnosis.

 

[Jekyl]

8 fish in a 24 gallon is about 4 too many and too quickly also. I'm guessing there were territory battles and stress going on.

 

[rocknerd8509]

I added the Vanderbilt chromis ( that died) and then went back and got the flasher and the anthias. I made sure that I did things in stages. I cycled the tank with a blue damsel and the three chromis ( people told me they were hardy enough to handle it). Once the tank was cycled for about 2 weeks (again checking water daily) (in total about a month it was running [ I guess its been about 3-4 months its been set up now sorry I have no conception of time sometimes) I gave the damsel to a friend (because I know they can be very aggressive) and I had added the two clowns. I gave them time alone to get themselves settled into their home before buying the gramma and cleaner shrimp. I let them get settled for about a month ( everyone was playing nice [I also have about 30 pounds of rocks that I made caves and what not). Now the gramma did not have any spots on until it had passed. I check my fish when they are eating because I am a nut. I know, this is also what gets me is that some people say they have 20 fish in a 24 gallon and then some say they have 3 fish in a 24-gallon haha. Everyone was playing nice in the sandbox as well but I guess it could have been aggression.

 

[NJDragonet]

8 fish in a 24 gallon is about 4 too many and too quickly also. I'm guessing there were territory battles and stress going on.

I 100% agree, what are the other fish in the tank? can you provide pictures? it may not be just aggression there is a chance that it could be other factors @Jay Hemdal

 

[NJDragonet]

I added the Vanderbilt chromis ( that died) and then went back and got the flasher and the anthias. I made sure that I did things in stages. I cycled the tank with a blue damsel and the three chromis ( people told me they were hardy enough to handle it). Once the tank was cycled for about 2 weeks (again checking water daily) (in total about a month it was running [ I guess its been about 3-4 months its been set up now sorry I have no conception of time sometimes) I gave the damsel to a friend (because I know they can be very aggressive) and I had added the two clowns. I gave them time alone to get themselves settled into their home before buying the gramma and cleaner shrimp. I let them get settled for about a month ( everyone was playing nice [I also have about 30 pounds of rocks that I made caves and what not). Now the gramma did not have any spots on until it had passed. I check my fish when they are eating because I am a nut. I know, this is also what gets me is that some people say they have 20 fish in a 24 gallon and then some say they have 3 fish in a 24-gallon haha. Everyone was playing nice in the sandbox as well but I guess it could have been aggression.

I dont think we would be able to rule our aggression just yet all these fish are compatible with each other so it probably could be a disease this sounds like an infection or early signs of flukes but its pretty hard to tell without images

 

[rocknerd8509]

Right now there is only two blue chromis and two clowns. I sadly didn’t take pictures of the fish because I was trying to do it quickly so my kids didn’t see or notice ( the fish are on “ vacation” at the moment). But if I do loose another one I will take a picture. I also have tried to structure my tank around non aggressive fish ( again some say grammas are nice some say they can be very mean but from what I saw there were never any signs of aggression or anything ( but when the lights turn off clearly I won’t know). But if you guys don’t think it’s an infection and an aggression issue then that’s probably what it is ( again I am new to the salt water game, have had fresh water my whole life though) but thanks for the help

 

[rocknerd8509]

I dont think we would be able to rule our aggression just yet all these fish are compatible with each other so it probably could be a disease this sounds like an infection or early signs of flukes but its pretty hard to tell without images

Its just odd to me that the three fish I got from that one store lasted such a short period of time and now fish that I have had for months are going on vacation.. that’s why I posted this topic

 

[Jekyl]

I would just take a look at the fish in there now. Look for any abnormalities on them. White spots, red spots, territory issues. Clowns can be mean also but you'll notice the behavior.

 

[rocknerd8509]

I would just take a look at the fish in there now. Look for any abnormalities on them. White spots, red spots, territory issues. Clowns can be mean also but you'll notice the behavior.

I like to say my clowns are special. They just stare at themselves in the glass trying to see who will blink first. I know they also can be very mean too, but They don’t seem to mind being around other fish... I will post a couple picture of the living fish once I finish putting my youngest to bed

 

[tamanning]

I have a clown that will draw blood. so yes they can be mean. But blue chromis are usually pretty tame. still very small tank for a lot of fish. even more so adding in quick succession. Bio needs a chance to catch up after adding one let alone three.

 

[NJDragonet]

Right now there is only two blue chromis and two clowns. I sadly didn’t take pictures of the fish because I was trying to do it quickly so my kids didn’t see or notice ( the fish are on “ vacation” at the moment). But if I do loose another one I will take a picture. I also have tried to structure my tank around non aggressive fish ( again some say grammas are nice some say they can be very mean but from what I saw there were never any signs of aggression or anything ( but when the lights turn off clearly I won’t know). But if you guys don’t think it’s an infection and an aggression issue then that’s probably what it is ( again I am new to the salt water game, have had fresh water my whole life though) but thanks for the help

Your right I do not see anything wrong with these fishes compatibility, It most likely is a disease or infection

 

[Rooki3]

Take a step back. Give it a few months and let you tank mature some more. Keep up with your water changes and try to maintain stability as much as you can.

Set up a QT tank in the meantime, so when you are ready to add another fish you aren’t putting together a last minute QT system.

Also, the next time you do add a fish make sure it is one only. Then wait a month and QT your next addition. By then, the one being QTd will be ready to be added to the display. Good luck.

 

[rocknerd8509]

So I did a little investigating with filming my fish and then going though and trying to find the best images to inspect them. This is one of the clown fish I have... I am thinking its Ich but again I am not an expert. Please advise. And if it is just that what does anyone suggest to remove the problem. Thanks.

 

[rocknerd8509]

So I did a little investigating with filming my fish and then going though and trying to find the best images to inspect them. This is one of the clown fish I have... I am thinking its Ich but again I am not an expert. Please advise. And if it is just that what does anyone suggest to remove the problem. Thanks.

Now I only could see this when I stopped the video and zoomed in on the image. With the way they move and how small it is you cant see it.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

So I did a little investigating with filming my fish and then going though and trying to find the best images to inspect them. This is one of the clown fish I have... I am thinking its Ich but again I am not an expert. Please advise. And if it is just that what does anyone suggest to remove the problem. Thanks.

That is ich, Cryptocaryon. It really needs to be treated in a quarantine tank with copper and a good test kit. Your earlier fish may have had other issues, possibly Uronema.
Jay

 

[rocknerd8509]

That is ich, Cryptocaryon. It really needs to be treated in a quarantine tank with copper and a good test kit. Your earlier fish may have had other issues, possibly Uronema.
Jay

I am going to get a 10 gallon with an over the back filter I will take some my water out of my tank ( if you think that is safe) and try and get them into there as fast as possible. Do you think I have to do anything else to the substrate or filters in my 24-gallon or just removing the fish should be enough.