My clownfish died (first time owning a pair)

[Angelica Torreon]

a day before it died i introduced two new rocks in the aquarium, the other small and the other big, i took most of the space in my 2 gallon tank. i thought theyd enjoy the hiding paces the rocks gave them but the night after putting in the rocks i noticed they went closer to the bubbles, they then proceeded to swim through the bubbles and against it. i thought they were just playing but the day after that they never ate and never swam actively, they both stayed in two different areas of the tank and did nothing, no flashes or swimming up and down nor side to side, just literally swimming still, hours later my bigger clown died, leaving me with one clown in the tank. thinking it was the rocks that caused it, i removed them. but it may also be because the bigger clown jumped out of the tank and fell 2ft but if that were the reason it died then why weren’t they both eating? the small clown still isn't eating.

 

[Impala67]

Did you cure the rock before putting it in, also you should never keep a clown fish in a two gallon tank nothing under 10 gallons and even then that’s small it sounds like they weren’t happy were they where livening and then adding two new rocks in the tank taking up more room, plus probably not cured which causes ammonia spikes probably killed them!!!

 

[RC51]

a day before it died i introduced two new rocks in the aquarium, the other small and the other big, i took most of the space in my 2 gallon tank. i thought theyd enjoy the hiding paces the rocks gave them but the night after putting in the rocks i noticed they went closer to the bubbles, they then proceeded to swim through the bubbles and against it. i thought they were just playing but the day after that they never ate and never swam actively, they both stayed in two different areas of the tank and did nothing, no flashes or swimming up and down nor side to side, just literally swimming still, hours later my bigger clown died, leaving me with one clown in the tank. thinking it was the rocks that caused it, i removed them. but it may also be because the bigger clown jumped out of the tank and fell 2ft but if that were the reason it died then why weren’t they both eating? the small clown still isn't eating.

First of all, a 2 gallon is way to small for clownfish, even with decked out filtration. Also, make sure that your rocks are from a reputable source and is cured somehow.
I would also add a lid to any small tank with fish just to make sure anything like this doesn't happed.

 

[LIreefguy]

How long has the tank been running

I’d the tank fully cycled and if so how did you cycle it
And yes a 2 gallon tank is way to smell for a pair if clownfish

also where did you get the Rock from

 

[Fred2482]

Welcome! Sorry for the loss.

 

[DaneGer21]

My guess would be an ammonia spike from the new rock dying off. Such a small system doesn’t take much to encounter a problem.

I would recommend a clown goby, or a Catalina goby for such small tanks. Or just inverts.

 

[69reefman]

Hello and welcome , sorry for your loss

 

[LIreefguy]

Also did you say you have an air stone in the tank. Not 100 percent sure but I think those aren’t used in saltwater tanks. They are bad

 

[thatone08]

Welcome. New rock in any system will cause an ammonia spike. This would go with the behavior of the clowns. I’m sorry for your loss. I would recommend researching pico tanks and what you can stock them with. 2 gallons is small for any fish. Good luck.

 

[Impala67]

Ripvanwinkle that’s not nice or helpful. Obviously this guy is new to the hobby and maybe some big chain pet store gave him really bad advice

how long has the tank been running

I’d the tank fully cycled and if so how did you cycle it
And yes a 2 gallon tank is way to smell for a pair if clownfish

also where did you get the Rock from

Your right it’s not nice, but it is very helpful sometimes things that are the truth hurt others feelings and that’s ok because they will know not to do it again it’s not right keeping a clown in such a small tank it’s cruel and not nice I’m just telling him the truth!!!

 

[RedReefer]

Welcome!!! I would upsize to at least a 10 gal with only two clownfish. Let the 10 gal cycle out and you will have better luck. Glad your here!

 

[LIreefguy]

Adding new dry rock wouldn’t cause a spike
We are assuming it’s live rock
While I agree it sounds like ammonia spike. I think the cause isn’t the rock. (Could be wrong if he bought live rock ) it simple too new of a tank. Incomplete cycle

 

[Poof No Eyebrows]

Welcome

 

[DaneGer21]

Adding new dry rock wouldn’t cause a spike
We are assuming it’s live rock
While I agree it sounds like ammonia spike. I think the cause isn’t the rock. (Could be wrong if he bought live rock ) it simple too new of a tank. Incomplete cycle

There’s is always die off, unless it was kept in 100% water until it went into the tank.

Again, only assuming.

 

[LIreefguy]

Your right it’s not nice, but it is very helpful sometimes things that are the truth hurt others feelings and that’s ok because they will know not to do it again it’s not right keeping a clown in such a small tank it’s cruel and not nice I’m just telling him the truth!!!

Never said that his point was wrong , just the was he delivered it
Attaching someone with names isn’t the mature way of educating someone and isn’t that the point of reef2reef
as an educated adult I am assuming you could explain to the op the errors of his ways without name calling and acting like a 5 year old

 

[LIreefguy]

There’s is always die off, unless it was kept in 100% water until it went into the tank.

Again, only assuming.

Yes 100 precent agree. But we aren’t sure if this is live rock. Heck we aren’t even sure if this is reef rock.

 

[BroccoliFarmer]

Ripvanwinkle that’s not nice or helpful. Obviously this guy is new to the hobby and maybe some big chain pet store gave him really bad advice

how long has the tank been running

I’d the tank fully cycled and if so how did you cycle it
And yes a 2 gallon tank is way to smell for a pair if clownfish

also where did you get the Rock from

Did Ripvanwinkle get censored because of a vile comment?!? BIG TECH IS EVIL.

 

[vetteguy53081]

 

[vetteguy53081]

What is your current. . . Salinity-ammonia-nitrite-temperature in system ?
Also realize that when you add rock in a small system, you also reduce volume and oxygen. Your three gallons like became 2 or less gallons.

 

[MERKEY]

Hello and welcome to R2R!