Tank Transfer Method Deaths

[jumplittlechloe]

Saw I had ich in display and wanted to treat all fish (kole tang, 2 juvenile clowns, copperband butterfly, & randall goby). The tang appeared most stressed (flashing) but ich was very minimal visually 3-4 white spots copperband very similar and no spots on clowns or goby. I have two 10g tanks and a 30g quarantine cycled. I used the 10g tanks to perform tank transfer. Followed the guide listed by humblefish:

Day 1 - Fish is placed in initial QT.
Day 4 - Roughly 72 hours later transfer the fish to new tank. The time of day you do the transfer is unimportant, but never exceed 72 hours from the last transfer. The temperature and SG of the new tank should match the old one perfectly, so you can just catch & release (no acclimation). Transfer as little water as possible with the fish.
Day 7 - Repeat.
Day 10 - Repeat.
Day 13 - Repeat and done (fish should now be ich free).

I used saltwater mixed the night before and started with the tang first. Tank had airstone, heater, and pvc. Upon transfer to second tank (new airstone, heater, pvc) all was ok until coming home where I found tang laying on bottom with rapid breathing and fish died. Fish had no visible signs of ich at the time. Second attempt I moved two clowns and copperband. All went well in first transfer. Second tank fish were out swimming and I wake up next day and copperband is dead. The clowns did make it through all tank transfers and into the qt. I got the goby out last and he was ok until second tank transfer. I get up this morning and he is lethargic and breathing heavy. Goby had no visible signs of ich but wanted to remove all fish from display. I used prime on the third day with transfers. Clowns are doing fine now. The goby looks to have red gills. What gives?

 

[Lionfish Lair]

Maybe test to see if there is ammonia.

 

[cmcoker]

If not ammonia..

Could it be velvet, maybe? It wouldn't respond to TTM. How long have you had the various fish, who and when was last added.

 

[Humblefish]

^^Both suggestions are possibilities (and so are gill flukes.) But red gills is a definite symptom of ammonia burn. What are you using to sanitize the transfer tanks? Also, are you making sure SG & temp matches before doing the next transfer? Something seems to be going wrong after the fish gets transferred.

 

[jumplittlechloe]

1st tank was sanitized with vinegar and the second with bleach. They were allowed to dry for two days and I washed then again with RODI before filling them. The SG and temp matched (1.020 and 77 degrees).

 

[jumplittlechloe]

If not ammonia..

Could it be velvet, maybe? It wouldn't respond to TTM. How long have you had the various fish, who and when was last added.

Not velvet I am sure of that (only 2-5 spots only on fins). The tang was 2 months, copperband 4 years, and goby 5 years. Tang was last added fish.

 

[jumplittlechloe]

Maybe test to see if there is ammonia.

Now that sir that is good logic, unfortunately I removed tank water, doh! Even had test kit. Was pretty bummed to loose copperband and tang and was not thinking clear. I also removed the goby and him into qt (water drained also). His breathing has slowed and he is still alive this morning.

 

[Humblefish]

1st tank was sanitized with vinegar and the second with bleach. They were allowed to dry for two days and I washed then again with RODI before filling them. The SG and temp matched (1.020 and 77 degrees).

I personally would refrain from using bleach to sanitize in the future. Clean everything with vinegar immediately following the transfer and then allow to air dry. Blow a fan on it if you want to be sure everything is completely dry. That will sterilize as well as bleach, but without fear of encountering any leftover chlorine residue.

 

[jumplittlechloe]

Will do. I really think it was ammonia. If I recall it takes 3-4 days to show the impact. However I was adding prime to water on day three and they were going into a new tank within 72 hrs or before. I just can't quite figure it out. With the goby I will just watch him and see what happens. I am assuming if what looks red turns black it means he is healing.

 

[Triggreef]

Sounds like ammonia burn to me. I use 20g tanks for ttm and even with that double the volume you had I still get ammonia. If you continue to use 10g tanks you could consider a 50 percent water change on day 2 to keep it in check.

I use bleach to sterilize with no issue. I do rinse very well with decent pressure outside with garden hose. Wouldn't worry about using tap water to rinse something that will only need to keep a fish alive for 3 days, is not a reef tank. Besides it will dry out entirely before the next use, if there's something that will make the tank toxic when salt water is added again then you might have something else to worry about with your tap water lol.

Also only regular non scented bleach should be used. NEVER EVER use that outdoor bleach blend. I don't know what is in that stuff but once it touches something it stays slimy forever.

And kudos to you for doing it right and going fallow.

 

[jumplittlechloe]

Thanks for the info. The goby is doing better. Redness has decreased and he is eating. For the future will continue prime as well as the 50% water change on 2nd day.