Two Benggai Cardinals dead, third one dying

Mr. Met · Sep 19, 2023

A little over two weeks ago I received my order from Dr. Reefs; in it were three Benggai Cardinals. I had ordered two, but they explained these don't do well in shipping so they always send an extra. On the forth day one of the Cardinals wasn't able to swim, he would just be pushed around the tank by the pumps. I separated him using a specimen container but he was dead by the next day. About a week later, the second one went missing. I haven't seen him since so I presume him to be dead. Yesterday, the third one started swimming along the bottom of the tank, sometimes on his side. I again separated him from the tank. He has been laying on his side with an arch in his body. When he does move, he spins in circles. I have added a small amount of stress guard to the container and have tried to feed him but he wont eat. Any ideas on what might be wrong with him or what i can do would be greatly appreciated.

Parameters: Salinity 34.3, PH 8.22, NH3 0.007, ALK 9.1
The two clownish I also received seem to be doing great. The eat everything I give them and have noticeably gotten bigger since being in the tank. Everything else is also doing good, except for one of the Zoa frags I got.

MnFish1 · Sep 19, 2023

Are there other fish in the tank? This looks like a terminal condition - either from a disease - or a neurologic issue. I would contact Dr. Reef - are there other fish in the tank? Any other illness/symptoms

Mr. Mojo Rising · Sep 19, 2023

So you added 6 fish at once? How big is the tank? How do you oxyginate the tank?

Stealthreefer · Sep 19, 2023

He's not going to make it and in all honesty the kindest thing to do is euthanize him with clove oil.
Outside of an autopsy from a vet that does that you will likely not know. That all 3 had it happen makes me thing something was wrong before.
How long were they in the shipping bags?

Mr. Met · Sep 19, 2023

MnFish1 said:
Are there other fish in the tank? This looks like a terminal condition - either from a disease - or a neurologic issue. I would contact Dr. Reef - are there other fish in the tank? Any other illness/symptoms

I have two clownfish. They look happy and healthy.

littlebigreef · Sep 19, 2023

They’re delicate fish and prone to dying from the stress of shipping. It’s a fish better bought from a lfs where you can observe them and see if they’re eating.

Mr. Met · Sep 19, 2023

Mr. Mojo Rising said:
So you added 6 fish at once? How big is the tank? How do you oxyginate the tank?

I added five fish. Two clownfish, the two cardinals I ordered, and the extra that was sent. Tank is 100gal. Return and and mp40 give alot of surface agitation. I also have a CO2 scrubber on the skimmer in the sump.

Mr. Met · Sep 19, 2023

Stealthreefer said:
He's not going to make it and in all honesty the kindest thing to do is euthanize him with clove oil.
Outside of an autopsy from a vet that does that you will likely not know. That all 3 had it happen makes me thing something was wrong before.
How long were they in the shipping bags?

That was what I was thinking. I was just reading the euthanasia page. I would think at most 18 hours. They were shipped over night and I received them at about 11am.

Uncle99 · Sep 19, 2023

Mr. Met said:
I have two clownfish. They look happy and healthy.

Maybe the clowns are cleaning house.
Not unusual to be harassed by others and/or killed by another in the group.
Very docile fish.

vetteguy53081 · Sep 19, 2023

Mr. Met said:
A little over two weeks ago I received my order from Dr. Reefs; in it were three Benggai Cardinals. I had ordered two, but they explained these don't do well in shipping so they always send an extra. On the forth day one of the Cardinals wasn't able to swim, he would just be pushed around the tank by the pumps. I separated him using a specimen container but he was dead by the next day. About a week later, the second one went missing. I haven't seen him since so I presume him to be dead. Yesterday, the third one started swimming along the bottom of the tank, sometimes on his side. I again separated him from the tank. He has been laying on his side with an arch in his body. When he does move, he spins in circles. I have added a small amount of stress guard to the container and have tried to feed him but he wont eat. Any ideas on what might be wrong with him or what i can do would be greatly appreciated.

Parameters: Salinity 34.3, PH 8.22, NH3 0.007, ALK 9.1
The two clownish I also received seem to be doing great. The eat everything I give them and have noticeably gotten bigger since being in the tank. Everything else is also doing good, except for one of the Zoa frags I got.

The info provided is true- they ship poorly and one of the items expressed with potential Ban and import of these fish.
The stress of shipping and changing pressure during ship even from US aquaculture facilities are beating them up in a term of speaking. These fish often as it appears in your images are moribund and will likely not bounce back - nor eat or swim normal.
Even popeye has become a condition with them and resulting in loss of eye at times. Is it overbreeding - Hard to say but mine is nearing 5 years with one eye and they were known to be tough as nails.

Mr. Met · Sep 20, 2023

Uncle99 said:
Maybe the clowns are cleaning house.
Not unusual to be harassed by others and/or killed by another in the group.
Very docile fish.

I dont think that's the case. I never saw them even go near the cardinals. In true fashion they are weird. They must be right near each other at all times, and while they swim around the whole tank, they never seem to be more then six inches from the glass.

Uncle99 · Sep 20, 2023

Mr. Met said:
I dont think that's the case. I never saw them even go near the cardinals. In true fashion they are weird. They must be right near each other at all times, and while they swim around the whole tank, they never seem to be more then six inches from the glass.

Patrolling the whole tank.
May see others (which are not agreesive) as invaders.
Mine clearly defend an area about 18” around the Nem.
It’s a no go zone and all others stay out.

They don’t transfer well, so I could just be that.

Mr. Met · Sep 22, 2023

I used clove oil to euthanize him yesterday. By that time he appeared dead already, but I still wanted to make sure. As of tomorrow everything has been in the tank for three weeks. I was planing on placing another order with Dr. Reef but I think I am going to wait another two weeks, just to be sure nothing is wrong in the tank. Thanks for all of your help!