Random fish death

[AlwaysHatingNathan]

So about month ago I brought home some jawfish total three. One disappeared within few days never seen again. Other two kept living. Until day before yesterday I turned on tank lights to check on everything and own the jawfish was sitting on bottom breathing heavy. Then within next minute he violently swam back and forth and hitting some my corals and sand and died immediately, like he was have seizure. I’m going get tank tested today. But my clownfish and other jawfish seem fine, my tank 57 gallon been running for 2 years now. Anyone have possible idea what caused this? This is not first time I’ve had death like this, when I had my 55 long years ago. But any idea anyone?

 

[Auto-pilot]

Sounds like respiratory failure. Could be an infection or maybe even flukes or some kind of parasite.

 

[Sashaka]

I'm very sorry for your losses. With the tank up and running for two years, I can think of four possible answers. First, the fish in your tank have built up an immunity to the pathogens living in your tank, meaning their immune systems have advanced enough to handle whatever bacteria and/or pathogens live in your tank, but the new fish don't have that armor. The second possibility is the new fish came in with a pathogen and are dying from it (highly likely). The third is the acclimation process was too quick for the fish to adjust to the new tank water. Fourth, an established fish is bullying.

From your description, it does not sound like you quarantined or did any prophylactic treatment of the new (or established) fish before adding to your MD. A pathogen taking out stressed fish is a high possibility. There is one more thing... You didn't mention what kind of jawfish you purchased. I know some such as the bluespot are cooler water fish that don't always acclimate well to our warmer tank temperatures.

Good luck. Keep us posted.

 

[AlwaysHatingNathan]

I'm very sorry for your losses. With the tank up and running for two years, I can think of four possible answers. First, the fish in your tank have built up an immunity to the pathogens living in your tank, meaning their immune systems have advanced enough to handle whatever bacteria and/or pathogens live in your tank, but the new fish don't have that armor. The second possibility is the new fish came in with a pathogen and are dying from it (highly likely). The third is the acclimation process was too quick for the fish to adjust to the new tank water. Fourth, an established fish is bullying.

From your description, it does not sound like you quarantined or did any prophylactic treatment of the new (or established) fish before adding to your MD. A pathogen taking out stressed fish is a high possibility. There is one more thing... You didn't mention what kind of jawfish you purchased. I know some such as the bluespot are cooler water fish that don't always acclimate well to our warmer tank temperatures.

Good luck. Keep us posted.

Whoops sorry was pearly jawfish, and yeah I got lazy and did not qt him or other but I need get myself into habit doing it, just forget/lazy to keep my qt maintained. But thank you for advice!

 

[AlwaysHatingNathan]

Sounds like respiratory failure. Could be an infection or maybe even flukes or some kind of parasite.

Thanks, I was figuring prob that was worried that me burning doming in kitchen other day which is right next to tank might done something but heard that shouldn’t.