I appreciate the advice. Do you think based on the video i have an over crowding problem?
What do you think killed the clownfish ? It was one of the largest clowns in the tank. Definitely one of the larger fish.
That tank is more crowded than I would typically keep, except in quarantine/holding situations. Still, tank crowding is very subjective. The two largest factors are: tank decorations (your tank is very sparse) and fish size (your fish are small - for now). As long as dissolved oxygen levels and ammonia levels are being help properly, your biggest issue will be territorial problems, as well as what to do as the fish grow.
Fish size is a huge factor: you can put 20, 1" long tetras in a tank, but try putting one 20" catfish in the same tank!
Here is an excerpt from my fish swimming space article:
A common question faced by all aquarists is “what size aquarium do I need for the fish that I want to keep?” This article will help aquarists identify potential problems in terms of acquiring a fish that may outgrow their available aquarium resources. Remember that it is always much better to answer this question for yourself before a new animal is purchased, than to have to deal with a fish that has grown too large for its aquarium.
Most aquarists understand that every aquarium has a biological “carrying capacity” – primarily the ability for the filtration system to render the waste products produced by the animals into relatively non-toxic substances. If the carrying capacity is exceeded, the result is deteriorating water quality such as dropping pH, rising nitrate levels and in extreme cases, rising ammonia and/or declining dissolved oxygen concentrations.
Aquarists also know that each aquarium has a “territorial limit” in terms of how many fish of which species, and of what size can be safely housed together before fighting becomes an issue (Hemdal 2006). In some cases, two species will simple never be compatible. In other instances, the level of compatibility will vary depending on tank decorations, relative sizes of the fish, and even the fish’s individual nature.
Once the issue of carrying capacity and territorial limit have been resolved, there is still the third question of “how much swimming room does each of the fish require in order to remain healthy?” In the past, aquarists attempted to determine this “need for swimming space” based mostly on their own experiences. New aquarists lacking this knowledge would therefore be at a distinct disadvantage.
What is the result of keeping a fish in an aquarium that does not offer it enough swimming room? The biggest concern with fish in too small of an aquarium is that they may suffer chronic injury. If the fish cannot comfortably turn in the aquarium, it may bump its mouth, or eyes. Done enough times, this can lead to tissue damage; rubbed snouts, bulging eyes, deformed fins, etc. If the fish is showing no detrimental signs of being housed in too small of an aquarium, is there even a problem? What about the fish’s psychological well being? The question of swimming space frequently becomes an emotional issue that cannot readily be resolved.
Jay
www.reef2reef.com
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