new fish keep dying

[airedwin]

parameters
ph 8.0
salinity 1.023
ammonia 0
nitrites 0
nitrates ~5.0ppm

i had 2-4 small clownfish in this tank, they seem fine during the day but then i find them dead in the morning, not sure what is wrong, i dont see any visible disease symptoms, they were eating and swimming fine, they always seem to die in night

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

parameters
ph 8.0
salinity 1.023
ammonia 0
nitrites 0
nitrates ~5.0ppm

i had 2-4 small clownfish in this tank, they seem fine during the day but then i find them dead in the morning, not sure what is wrong, i dont see any visible disease symptoms, they were eating and swimming fine, they always seem to die in night

There are a variety of reasons this could have happened.

How long did you have the clownfish?
Were there any other fish or invertebrates in the tank, how do they look?

Most likely, there were symptoms the day before, but they might have been subtle and you missed them - clamped fins, rapid breathing for example.

Here is a link to some helpful hints regarding posting a fish disease problem report:

HIGH - Fish Disease Treatment and Diagnosis Stickies

My Current QT Process Ratios for Dosing Copper Power Uronema - Eradicate or Ignore? Hybrid TTM to treat all parasites! PSA: PRIME safe to use with COPPER POWER Medications to keep on hand Fallow periods: Going Fishless Difficult Fish to QT guide Ich eradication vs. Ich...

www.reef2reef.com

Jay

 

[airedwin]

There are a variety of reasons this could have happened.

How long did you have the clownfish?
Were there any other fish or invertebrates in the tank, how do they look?

Most likely, there were symptoms the day before, but they might have been subtle and you missed them - clamped fins, rapid breathing for example.

Here is a link to some helpful hints regarding posting a fish disease problem report:

HIGH - Fish Disease Treatment and Diagnosis Stickies

My Current QT Process Ratios for Dosing Copper Power Uronema - Eradicate or Ignore? Hybrid TTM to treat all parasites! PSA: PRIME safe to use with COPPER POWER Medications to keep on hand Fallow periods: Going Fishless Difficult Fish to QT guide Ich eradication vs. Ich...

www.reef2reef.com

Jay

Had them for about 2-3 days, they are the only fish in the tank, i have four hermit crabs, they are fine. After the two died I for two new ones and they died the same way, after 2-3 days.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

There could be a number of reasons why they died - poor quality fish to begin with, water problems or a disease issue. I was hoping to rule out water quality (if fish die, but invertebrates are thriving, then it isn't a water issue). Trouble is, hermit crabs are so hardy, that they can't be used as a indicator for poor water quality.

Jay

 

[airedwin]

There could be a number of reasons why they died - poor quality fish to begin with, water problems or a disease issue. I was hoping to rule out water quality (if fish die, but invertebrates are thriving, then it isn't a water issue). Trouble is, hermit crabs are so hardy, that they can't be used as a indicator for poor water quality.

Jay

Do you think I should try to treat the tank with a broad spectrum treatment while there are no fish?

 

[Evo R]

Can you give us a run down of your tank, hardware, dosing ect ect.

Then we can start to go through the list of possible causes.

 

[airedwin]

20g long, aquaclear 50, no sand, just live rock, has been cycled for about a month, just started to add two fish, I do 10% water change twice a week

 

[Evo R]

20g long, aquaclear 50, no sand, just live rock, has been cycled for about a month, just started to add two fish, I do 10% water change twice a week

Are there any wave makers or power heads in the tank?

If no, then I'm 99.9% sure its oxygen starvation. As your tank's only flow/circulation and surface agitation is from the hang on back filter. And you don't mention a skimmer which also greatly improves water oxygenation.

 

[Evo R]

Also you did not mention your tanks temp. Or if you drip acclimated your new fish or not.

 

[airedwin]

Are there any wave makers or power heads in the tank?

If no, then I'm 99.9% sure its oxygen starvation. As your tank's only flow/circulation and surface agitation is from the hang on back filter. And you don't mention a skimmer which also greatly improves water oxygenation.

sorry i forgot to mention i have an airstone in there as well

 

[airedwin]

Also you did not mention your tanks temp. Or if you drip acclimated your new fish or not.

my tank is 76.6 degrees, i did not drip acclimate, just floated them, i believe the parameters were very close

 

[airedwin]

my tank is 76.6 degrees, i did not drip acclimate, just floated them, i believe the parameters were very close

they were clown fish

 

[Evo R]

sorry i forgot to mention i have an airstone in there as well

You will need more surface agitation for gas exchange to take place and effectively remove carbon dioxide and oxygenation. Even though you have an air stone in the tank and it does give some oxygen to the water, because you have hardly any water movement in your tank the oxygen rich water is localized the the spot where the air stone is. Add two power heads, one pointed to the center of the water surface and one for random flow and you will immediately fix your oxygen problem!

 

[Evo R]

my tank is 76.6 degrees, i did not drip acclimate, just floated them, i believe the parameters were very close

Drip acclimate EVERY time you add any new live stock. If you add anything to your tank that does not come from another tank that is tied into the same system, then the water WILL be different!

 

[Evo R]

they were clown fish

Does not matter. Drip acclimate everything to be safe.

 

[BoneDoc]

If you can toss freshwater mollies straight in and they survive I’m quite sure the clowns would have survived going from lfs water to 1.023.

a video of the fish before while they’re being “normal” may help. IMHO I think clowns aren’t nearly as hardy as advertised especially with with all the inbreeding to achieve certain color morphs

 

[BoneDoc]

It’s possible with bare bottom dry rock that you’re not quite as cycled?

 

[Mom.VS.Reef]

Have you ever double checked your temp? Heaters seem like they are working, but often malfunction.
Also do you have a wave maker at all?