Purple fish curse

wilecyote007 · Apr 14, 2017

So i have a 75 gal tank. First one...nothing great but im really excited about starting the adventure of reefing. I have been up for around 4 months and have a clown which I've had for 2 months. Cuc and a shrimp. Added a blenny 2 weeks ago and died 2nd day. This Tuesday i added a chromis..I believe, and found him stuck to cover of my power head this morning. He died shortly after. I bought 2 firefish the same day and they are great and active. The chromis hid immediately until death. Is there something im doing wrong? Or is it roulette on fish from lfs?

Salty1962 · Apr 14, 2017

You need to take the time to watch potential purchases. If you don't, then yes it can be like playing Russian roulette on them. I ask the vendor that they be fed twice, usually 10 mins. apart before serious consideration. I also take a while, some say too long, to acclimate them. I add 50% then pour out 50%, refill and make sure Ph and Salinity match up. It's lent me well for new livestock, I've been fortunate to have lost very few livestock this way. JMT

dh350twin · Apr 14, 2017

Buying from a LFS is always a gamble. Even if they eat at the store however your odds greatly improve. Read Humblefish' s acclimation thread which will increase your odds as well but even when you follow all the rules it is still a gamble. Good luck and be patient

Bluecbs · Apr 14, 2017

Blennies and chromises are considered hardy fishes. I guess they were not 'A' grade specimen to begin with, imo. Apart from reading the acclimation steps, also should really read and 'train tour eyes' on how to recognize healthy fish from the less healthy ones ( this may include doing awkward postures in the lfs while scrutinizing the fish,....and sometimes bumping into people

) . Or go to the lfs with the experts, if you know one

And also test your water params if anything is amiss...but your shrimp is ok, hmmmm

eatbreakfast · Apr 14, 2017

What is your acclimation procedure? Often, LFS keep their salinity low, so going to reef salinity can be an issue.

How long has the LFS had the fish before you purchased it? If they just arrived the repeated stresses of capture/transport/acclimation can take a toll.

4FordFamily · Apr 14, 2017

The other issue is that nearly all LFS now carry velvet in their systems in addition to ich. This is also true about online vendors.

wkscott · Apr 14, 2017

Were any of your fish ever quarantined before going into the DT?
Have you checked your tank's ammonia level lately?

wilecyote007 · Apr 14, 2017

Bluecbs said:
Blennies and chromises are considered hardy fishes. I guess they were not 'A' grade specimen to begin with, imo. Apart from reading the acclimation steps, also should really read and 'train tour eyes' on how to recognize healthy fish from the less healthy ones ( this may include doing awkward postures in the lfs while scrutinizing the fish,....and sometimes bumping into people) . Or go to the lfs with the experts, if you know one

And also test your water params if anything is amiss...but your shrimp is ok, hmmmm

Yea. He goes wild at feeding time. [emoji2]

wilecyote007 · Apr 14, 2017

eatbreakfast said:
What is your acclimation procedure? Often, LFS keep their salinity low, so going to reef salinity can be an issue.

How long has the LFS had the fish before you purchased it? If they just arrived the repeated stresses of capture/transport/acclimation can take a toll.

You nailed it. They said the vendor was overstocked so they got a deal. That should have been a red flag and i missed it. I slow drip water from my tank for about 30 min before introducing. No qt though.i keep my salinity at 1.025

wilecyote007 · Apr 14, 2017

wkscott said:
Were any of your fish ever quarantined before going into the DT?
Have you checked your tank's ammonia level lately?

I dont have a qt yet. But my ammonia is 0. I have been testing every day since my first loss.

ngoodermuth · Apr 14, 2017

eatbreakfast said:
What is your acclimation procedure? Often, LFS keep their salinity low, so going to reef salinity can be an issue.

How long has the LFS had the fish before you purchased it? If they just arrived the repeated stresses of capture/transport/acclimation can take a toll.

+1 to salinity being low at LFS and online vendors. My last two orders came in at 1.015 and 1.011... 30 mins would not be enough time to handle the swing to 1.025.

I would ask the store what they are at, and test a little bag water when you get home for good measure. You might need a "landing" bucket that you can match the salinity and bring it up much more slowly.

wilecyote007 · Apr 15, 2017

ngoodermuth said:
+1 to salinity being low at LFS and online vendors. My last two orders came in at 1.015 and 1.011... 30 mins would not be enough time to handle the swing to 1.025.

I would ask the store what they are at, and test a little bag water when you get home for good measure. You might need a "landing" bucket that you can match the salinity and bring it up much more slowly.

Would it be best to acclimate them to day 1.020 in my qt tank when i get it going then bring it the rest of the way when they go to my dt? If lfs salinity is low. Also i think those two firefish have ich. They have little white spots on them. Do i need to qt my clown also? Thank you for info

Cary · Apr 17, 2017

not only awkward positions, but removing glasses and squinting...

ngoodermuth · Apr 17, 2017

wilecyote007 said:
Would it be best to acclimate them to day 1.020 in my qt tank when i get it going then bring it the rest of the way when they go to my dt? If lfs salinity is low. Also i think those two firefish have ich. They have little white spots on them. Do i need to qt my clown also? Thank you for info

Yea, if it's possible to match your QT to the bag salinity that is best. Then gradually increase the QT to match your DT over a week or so by replacing a gallon or two each day or just topping off with salt water.

If the firefish have ich, then all fish would need to be treated in a QT while your display runs fallow for 76 days- if you want to get rid of it. It could be velvet also, which would certainly explain your losses. Are the spots fine with many, or larger with just a few? Are the fish reclusive, breathing heavy, swimming into the flow, etc?

wilecyote007 · Apr 18, 2017

Now i cant see any spots. Is it possible when they are under their rock and come out they have sand on them? Also...holy cow, 76 days? Should have qt'd them. Not sure on breathing but do swim into flow

ngoodermuth · Apr 18, 2017

wilecyote007 said:
Now i cant see any spots. Is it possible when they are under their rock and come out they have sand on them? Also...holy cow, 76 days? Should have qt'd them. Not sure on breathing but do swim into flow

It could be sand. But, with ich the spots will come and go as part of the parasites' life cycle as well. It will still be present in your tank without the fallow period unfortunately. Some people are successful at "ich management" but obviously getting rid of it completely is ideal.

Maritimer · Apr 18, 2017

Sand on firefish is possible, and firefish also tend to hover in moderate current, waiting for plankton to drift by. If they're holding in the strong current rushing from a powerhead, however . . .

However...

Ich and velvet spend a few days on a fish, taking sustenance, and then drop off to complete their lifecycle on hard surfaces in the tank. During that time, each parasite multiplies into anywhere from dozens to hundreds. It is possible to see spots, then see what appears to be a clear and healthy fish - only to have the parasites come roaring back within a relatively few days.

Remain watchful . . .

~Bruce

Triggreef · Apr 20, 2017

I didn't read the responses, but if you take time to read up on the fish sidebar section, and quarantine your fish correctly, you'll almost never lose a fish. You will be very surprised what these fish can endure without dying, when parasites are removed from the equation.

wilecyote007 · Apr 20, 2017

Triggreef said:
I didn't read the responses, but if you take time to read up on the fish sidebar section, and quarantine your fish correctly, you'll almost never lose a fish. You will be very surprised what these fish can endure without dying, when parasites are removed from the equation.

Plz dont think im an idiot....what is the fish sidebar section?will it explain a good qt setup? I have 2 10gal tanks spare. If bigger is req i understand. Also a piece or 2 of live rock?

Cflip · Apr 20, 2017

ngoodermuth said:
+1 to salinity being low at LFS and online vendors. My last two orders came in at 1.015 and 1.011... 30 mins would not be enough time to handle the swing to 1.025.

I would ask the store what they are at, and test a little bag water when you get home for good measure. You might need a "landing" bucket that you can match the salinity and bring it up much more slowly.

Landing bucket? I see this in the LFS how do I do that?