Lost my first fish...any ideas?

[MnFish1]

I think fish was too small (just hatched from its' mother)and introduced to tank too quick (not enough acclimation)
Floating was good, but you shoud have emptied bag into a CLEAN pail or bucket and then added a cup of tank water to the pail every 15 minutes SIX TIMES and tested salinity in pail. Finally taking the cup to scoop fish out and placing it into the fish tank
At the store, ask to see fish eat, observe how it swims, its' breathing and look for any issues with its' skin such as sores, dots, etc.

This - is similar to what I do - but I do it in the actual bag - take out 1/2 cup - and add 1/2 cup of tank water - So - apologies when I said I dont believe 'drip method' - I do believe in 'this method'. Another potential point - most or the fish we get from LFS - are in fact 'juveniles'. Even a 2 inch copper band. is very fragile. etc etc

 

[biocubeboy]

It has worked for thousands of us.

A 1/2" clown isn't going to produce enough ammonia to kill itself in 6 hours, even in a sterile tank.



OP, how long was the salt water mixed before the fish went in?

You’re right I know it works. I also know many people have loss fish using this method. It’s not the same for everyone. I was just saying with a fish that small maybe it wasn’t strong enough to take the brand new tank conditions. It could have just got sucked in the nozzle too. Happened to me a lot when I had freshwater.

 

[Lowlandreef]

Even when you do the turbostart method you'll need to wait a few days before adding fish imo. Tanks need some time to stabilize. That's why I'm personally more fan of doing the traditional cycle...

My guess is that either the bacteria used most of the oxygen to reproduce in the tank, causing the fish not having enough oxygen or an ammonia spike because the bacteria hadn't settled down yet to process the ammonia.

The fish can also have gone in shock due to the difference in water parameters. The water you buy at the LFS is clean water and the water the fish was in wasn't. So the water parameters can't possibly have been the same. Since you did temperature acclimate the fish the shock probably wasn't too big and since the fish did eat I don't think it was too stressed out. That makes this possibility less likely IMO.

Just to be clear I'm not blaming you, I think this is a shortcoming from your LFS. You might wanna reconsider if this is the place you want to spend your money on. For you this will be the first of many learning curves, so if I can give you a little bit of advice "nothing good happens fast in this hobby": so take it slow
If you have any questions the R2R community is always hear to help!

 

[Jib]

I think this is a shortcoming from your LFS. You might wanna reconsider if this is the place you want to spend your money on

A couple people have questioned the LFS and advice given. Unfortunately, I only have two options to choose from.

First one is a large well know pet store in my area. The issue is they are always so busy (not necessarily for fish, but its also a large pet store and there are always kid and parents touring the fish room like a public aquarium), and it's hard to get service or ask a question. Last time I went in it was a 45 minute wait to speak to someone. (It's also concenring how many people walk in with a mask on then take them off their kids and themselves. After they walk though the door masks dont seem to be enforced. Not trying to get COVID)

The second is a smaller shop focused solely on the aquarium hobby. This is where I bought my water, sand, rock, and the clown the next day. They get amazing reviews online, and the first day I was in there I was talking to a few reefers who really had high praise for the store and staff. (And they enforce mask rules strictly, which I appreciate).

I tend to like the second store better, but think I need to balance their advice with my own and others on forums etc...

 

[Texas Rick]

To make things easy, I would strongly suggest to finish cycling the tank. At least a month.

 

[Lowlandreef]

A couple people have questioned the LFS and advice given. Unfortunately, I only have two options to choose from.

First one is a large well know pet store in my area. The issue is they are always so busy (not necessarily for fish, but its also a large pet store and there are always kid and parents touring the fish room like a public aquarium), and it's hard to get service or ask a question. Last time I went in it was a 45 minute wait to speak to someone. (It's also concenring how many people walk in with a mask on then take them off their kids and themselves. After they walk though the door masks dont seem to be enforced. Not trying to get COVID)

The second is a smaller shop focused solely on the aquarium hobby. This is where I bought my water, sand, rock, and the clown the next day. They get amazing reviews online, and the first day I was in there I was talking to a few reefers who really had high praise for the store and staff. (And they enforce mask rules strictly, which I appreciate).

I tend to like the second store better, but think I need to balance their advice with my own and others on forums etc...

I see your problem. My LFS was pretty poor in advise as well and most of the fish I got there died very quickly due to illnesses. I now go to a different store which is a 1 hour+ drive (instead of 15 mins for the other), and it's totally worth it. They give great advise and all their fish go through quarantine before they sell them. Haven't lost a fish since. Maybe you can look into a store further away as well?

If not, I would just pick the best one regarding healthy fish and corals, and get your advise here on R2R.