Strange Rock, Possible Poison?

PhreeByrd · Apr 4, 2019

I don't see any metal anywhere. The numbers definitely do look like a mold mark, so I'm assuming man-made rock. The wide color variations in the broken pieces of rock are also a pretty strong tell that the rock is not natural reef rock.
I'd get rid of it and replace it with some real live rock.

HumuhumuFan · Feb 22, 2023

Update on this thread. I did end up removing the questionable rocks and running purigen in the tank for a while. Here I am, 3 years later, watching a rectangle trigger and yellow tang fade away. The tang has gradually lost all it's color. The trigger seemed like it was doing great until a few months ago then developed a pinched stomach and now isn't eating. The YT is temporarily in my frag tank and i set up a 20g QT for the trigger. I'm treating him General Cure. I'm not currently treating the tang because I don't know what I'd treat him for.

I won't say I'm a perfect fishkeeper by any means but in a different tank I have a 12 year old ocellaris clown and on the freshwater side I've got a 7 year old festivum cichlid, so I can't be that bad. Neither yellow tang, nor rectangle triggers have a reputation for being particularly hard to keep but I haven't been able to keep anything in this particular 75 gallon tank alive for more than 4 years.

My first YT lived 3 years, 3 months, first Rectangle Trigger 3y3m, first Melanurus Wrasse lived 3y4m.

Second Wrasse lived 2y8m. If the YT died today it would be 3y1m. If the trigger dies today 3y10m.

All of them have followed to be the same pattern. Seem to be doing just fine for the first ~2 years, then they start wasting away.

I ordered an ATI ICP-OES Water Analysis from BRS. If this tang/trigger don't make it, I don't think I'll try again. I don't want to keep killing fish. Depending on the water analysis says, we'll see what I end up doing with the tank.

HumuhumuFan · Feb 22, 2023

When I first put the triggerfish in QT, he was behaving normally. And at least attempting to eat (even if it looked like he was spitting almost everything back out). After I dosed with General Cure he started hiding all day and showed no interest in food. He looked so bad today I put him back in his display tank. He didn't even resist being picked up. Since I put him in the display he wedged himself in the rockwork but has a very vacant look in his eye. I expect him to be dead everytime I check the tank.

HumuhumuFan · Mar 16, 2023

I got my ATI results. No smoking gun. Tin was 30ug, but nothing else particularly noteworthy. Nitrate and Phosphorous were high for a reef, but not crazy for a FOWLR setup. Rather than risk it, I ordered all new sand and rock and chucked all the old stuff.

anthonygf · Mar 16, 2023

HumuhumuFan said:
I got my ATI results. No smoking gun. Tin was 30ug, but nothing else particularly noteworthy. Nitrate and Phosphorous were high for a reef, but not crazy for a FOWLR setup. Rather than risk it, I ordered all new sand and rock and chucked all the old stuff.

So sorry for the trouble you are having with your fish. I have just ended my reefing hobby after seven years. Most of my rock was from Petco 5-7 years ago when I started a 47 gallon bowfront with their rock, 3 years ago upgraded to a 75.

All my fish are still alive and well but over the last 8 months most of my coral started wasting away because of dinos and other algae smothering them. I tried everything in the book for 8 months but finally thru in the towel and sold all fish, a Yellow Tang, File Fish, Flame Hawk, bonded pair of 3 stripe Damsels and a female Clown, the male disappeared 2 days ago. The clowns were my first fish 7 years ago.

I am now going to go with African Cichlids. I hope you have better success the second time around. I don't have the heart to try reefing again.

LiverockRocks · Mar 16, 2023

HumuhumuFan said:
I got my ATI results. No smoking gun. Tin was 30ug, but nothing else particularly noteworthy. Nitrate and Phosphorous were high for a reef, but not crazy for a FOWLR setup. Rather than risk it, I ordered all new sand and rock and chucked all the old stuff.

Browsing this thread due to the title; new sand, new rock and a fresh start seems like the right call, especially if you ordered ocean harvested live rock.
Not sure you mentioned what you fed the trigger but be sure it's varied and includes fresh clams.
All the best to you.

HumuhumuFan · Mar 16, 2023

anthonygf said:
So sorry for the trouble you are having with your fish. I have just ended my reefing hobby after seven years. Most of my rock was from Petco 5-7 years ago when I started a 47 gallon bowfront with their rock, 3 years ago upgraded to a 75.

All my fish are still alive and well but over the last 8 months most of my coral started wasting away because of dinos and other algae smothering them. I tried everything in the book for 8 months but finally thru in the towel and sold all fish, a Yellow Tang, File Fish, Flame Hawk, bonded pair of 3 stripe Damsels and a female Clown, the male disappeared 2 days ago. The clowns were my first fish 7 years ago.

I am now going to go with African Cichlids. I hope you have better success the second time around. I don't have the heart to try reefing again.

Sorry to hear this, hope you find a love of the hobby again with African Cichlids.

olonmv · Mar 17, 2023

Mike.P said:
Am I the only one who sees a skull protruding from the top left of the rock in the first picture? I literally thought that's what this post was going to be about, that the rock has a "poison skull." lol

Nope, I was gonna suggest an exorcism be preformed to get that spooky ghost out.

HumuhumuFan · Mar 17, 2023

olonmv said:
Nope, I was gonna suggest an exorcism be preformed to get that spooky ghost out.

That rock is now on my back deck and will be in the woods as soon as the snow melts.

olonmv · Mar 17, 2023

HumuhumuFan said:
That rock is now on my back deck and will be in the woods as soon as the snow melts.

Did you ever figure out what ailed your tank? Sorry, kinda skimmed after the 2nd page.

anthonygf · Mar 18, 2023

HumuhumuFan said:
Sorry to hear this, hope you find a love of the hobby again with African Cichlids.

Thank you. I have been keeping fresh for over 45 years. Currently have a Red Oscar in another 75 gallon, he is about a year old and only 10 inches at the moment. I already have the reef tank cleaned out and ready for my Mbuna African Cichlids. I ordered 25 online and should have them Wed. I hope you have better days ahead.

HumuhumuFan · Mar 18, 2023

olonmv said:
Did you ever figure out what ailed your tank? Sorry, kinda skimmed after the 2nd page.

I did not. So I went ahead and threw out all of my sand and rock. I'm in the process of restarting the tank right now actually.

HumuhumuFan · Mar 19, 2023

anthonygf said:
Thank you. I have been keeping fresh for over 45 years. Currently have a Red Oscar in another 75 gallon, he is about a year old and only 10 inches at the moment. I already have the reef tank cleaned out and ready for my Mbuna African Cichlids. I ordered 25 online and should have them Wed. I hope you have better days ahead.

I'm jealous. I miss owning Oscars. They have so much personality. Enjoy your cichlids in good health!