Mystery fish death

K2D2_Texas · Aug 18, 2022

Hello again. I posted months ago trying to figure out why my fish were dying randomly. We went through everything under the sun trying to figure it out. Tank not cycled properly, to many water changes sterilizing tank, possible parasites, etc….

We removed fish, quarantined fish, medicated fish in QT, monitored fish in QT, eventually went fallow for 2 months, the whole 9 yards.

After going fallow we put 2 clowns in. They re still alive. Every fish we put in after them started dying the same way. Now I know my tank is cycled so that’s not an issue. The clowns have been fine and I’ve got a small GSP frag in there that was given to me by the LFS and it’s living it’s best life.

Every other fish we put in has died the same way. Within 1-3 days. They start off fine, then start getting spooky, then start developing strange abrasions on their sides one Chromi even had a tiny little hole develop on his head. Looked like something took a chunk out. Then they eventually all go lay on the sand and die.

I was doing research and got deep into some rabbit holes and started looking at stray voltage. We tested our water and it is showing around 45 volts. So we started unplugging equipment trying to eliminate it. Thought it was the heater so we got a new one, but the with the new one it still shows 45 volts. I’ve got a grounding rod coming in the mail this week.

Looking for any other possible ideas. Why are these two clowns doing fine. No signs of disease or sickness. Why is the GSP doing fine. All my inverts are doing fine. I’ve had my water tested by all 3 of my LFS and they all say the parameters are well within what they should be.

Help us!!!! Please!!! RIP: 3 gobies, 2 clowns, 2 wrasses, 2 damsels, 1 royal gramma, 7 green Chromis, 2 fire gobies…..all since January over various times.

Mr. Mojo Rising · Aug 18, 2022

That 19 fish in 8 months, well 6 months actually since you went fish less for 2 months. You must be adding multiple fish at a time. I personally add 1 fish then wait a month then add one more and so on. Nitrifying bacteria reproduces very slowly. Go slowly.

K2D2_Texas · Aug 19, 2022

I would usually only added 1-2 fish at a time then would wait a month. The only time I added more was with the chromis bc the LFS told me they like to be in schools so I would add 3-4.

The first group of 4 fish I had actually lasted about 2 months before they started dying. They only started dying after I put two small clowns in towards the end of the second month, which is why my original post led to possibly parasite and my going fallow.

Only since then have they been dying the way I described this time. I should have been more clear. Sorry.

LeftyReefer · Aug 19, 2022

Either the clowns are killing the new fish (unlikely) or you have parasites. (very likely)

Are you QT'ing any of the new fish?

3429810 · Aug 19, 2022

Unpopular opinion here but you need to stop. In what world is it ok to kill 19 fish without making some serious changes? People like you give this hobby a bad name. This one is next level, imagine a non hobbyist seeing this post. These aren’t disposable thing to look at they are animals. You only went fishless for two months, not long enough for some stuff. 76 days is the recommended time for fallow. Most likely disease/parasite issue. Sounds like uronema to me but hard to tell from the info given. Did you add anything wet to the tank during the fallow period?

Tuan’s Reef · Aug 19, 2022

You tested your tank with a multimeter and got 45v?

killer2001 · Aug 19, 2022

I'd go fallow for 76 days, keep the clowns in a separate tank. After 76 days are up, add 2 or 3 chromis to the DT, keep clowns in observation tank. Wait a month or so make sure the chromis are healthy. After that add the clowns back to the DT and observe for another month. If the chromis start dying off after the clowns are re-introduced, well then you got yourself some killer-clowns!