Angel, LM Blenny... dead...

[stwbrypinaclda]

Hello. I'm new to this board, but maybe someone can help. Yesterday I purchased a lawnmower blenny (which the fish store guy said would help minor algae) as well as a dwarf angel (coral beauty). I only have two clowns, three damsels and two green chromis along with 3 itsy bitsy crabs (they're fully grown, but simply tiny). None of them ever got near the new fish. Tank has been up for about 10 months. Never had any problems with any of the fish I have already. I did add some tiny snails yesterday as well (which are alive). Here are details:
Tank - 55 gallon
Live rock - 10 lb
Fake plant - 1
Sand - 14 lbs, covers bottom of tank
Airstone bubble thing - 1
I'm going to get my water checked again as soon as I finish this post. I made sure to check salt levels which were good. But maybe someone has an idea of what I did wrong?
I appreciate your help.
Sincerely,
Jackie V.

 

[nereef]

i'm gettting that you purchased the two fishes yesterday also. if the new arrivals died that quickly, acclimation almost has to be the cause of death. how did you acclimate them? what is your salinity specifically at? other levels would also help.

 

[psu]

I would agree w/ NE REEF--hopefully yor lfs has some type of guarentee.

 

[jonthefishguy]

Originally Posted by psu
hopefully yor lfs has some type of guarentee.
Personally I dont see how or why the LFS would or should apply the guarantee to this issue if it in fact was an acclimation error. Thats the buyers responsibility. If the buyer bought the fish, did exactly what was required, temp and salinity along with all other parimeters were in check then I can see it being applied. But to ask a LFS to honor their guarantee due to buyer error, is plain wrong. Lets hope that if in fact that he did everything correctly, they will honor if in fact that they do have a guarantee.

 

[nereef]

probably not the fault of the lfs, but we'll just see how s/he acclimated.

 

[stwbrypinaclda]

Originally Posted by NEreef
i'm gettting that you purchased the two fishes yesterday also. if the new arrivals died that quickly, acclimation almost has to be the cause of death. how did you acclimate them? what is your salinity specifically at? other levels would also help.
The store I bought them at is a very good store. Yes, I did purchase them yesterday I did let them float for an hour inside the bag where they were purchased (which is what I have done with my other fish; also recommended by the fish guy). From the beginning, the blenny was "playing dead" which is what two different fish store guys told me was normal. The blenny laid at the bottom of the tank from yesterday and died in that same spot, never moved. The angel WAS swimming around happily [or so it seemed] last night, for which I was shocked to find him just laying there dead this morning. Each fish was purchased at different stores, both reputable. What is the salinity specifically at? Well, to be honest, I'm not sure how to check that. I did check with a ph strip and all the colors matched "ideal". I also just came back from checking the water at two other fish stores and they said it was just fine. The perfect environment for my existing and new fish, he said. I'm getting desperate as I have no idea what I've done wrong. I don't think it's the stores but now I think it's also not the tank itself. The last time I bought any fish was about 2 months ago. Again, all very calm fish, never even came near the new ones.
Thanks for everyone's help. Any suggestions are accepted with arms wide open.
Jackie V.

 

[nereef]

drip acclimation is always the best way. just floating the bag only accounts for matching a temperature. the cheapest way to measure salinity is with a hydrometer. the best way is with a refractometer. dip strips aren't very accurate. a master test kit would be a good investment. acclimation stress is probably to blame for the deaths.

 

[jonthefishguy]

When you say "fish guy" I hope you are not reffering to me, but the fish guy at the store. You should drip acclimate all fish IMO. Do yourself a favor and get a refractometer to test for your salinty. They are more accurate than a hydrometer. Also, since you don't check for salinty (or don't know how) I am hoping that you also top your water off with unsalted water when it evaporates and not add more salted water.

 

[stwbrypinaclda]

Originally Posted by jonthefishguy
When you say "fish guy" I hope you are not reffering to me, but the fish guy at the store. You should drip acclimate all fish IMO. Do yourself a favor and get a refractometer to test for your salinty. They are more accurate than a hydrometer. Also, since you don't check for salinty (or don't know how) I am hoping that you also top your water off with unsalted water when it evaporates and not add more salted water.
That is correct. When I say fish guy, I'm talking about the one from the store I will definitely buy one of these refractometer's that you all are suggseting. I do, however, top off new water with unsalted bottled water (which I buy by the gallon).
Well, you live and you learn. If there is anything else you all think I should invest in [since sometimes ppl at the store suggest you buy everything but the kitchen sink] let me know. I would rather invest a little than keep buying fish that are going to die because of my lack of knowledge.
Thanks again for your feedback. I appreciate your efforts.
Sincerely,
Jackie V.

 

[tokey]

A couple of problems I see are not enough live rock as you need 1lb per gal minimum most use 11/2-2lbs per gallon.
This is your main filter and also helps feed your fish with pods and algae and makes your fish less stressed by giving them a place to hide This is very important so spend your money on rock before anymore fish. The second is the plastic plant unless it was made to use in a saltwater aquarium get it out as it will leach toxins into your tank.
If you can not afford to get the refractometer than buy the cheaper one as having something to check your salt level is a must and should be the next thing you buy.

 

[stwbrypinaclda]

Originally Posted by Tokey
A couple of problems I see are not enough live rock as you need 1lb per gal minimum most use 11/2-2lbs per gallon.
This is your main filter and also helps feed your fish with pods and algae and makes your fish less stressed by giving them a place to hide This is very important so spend your money on rock before anymore fish. The second is the plastic plant unless it was made to use in a saltwater aquarium get it out as it will leach toxins into your tank.
If you can not afford to get the refractometer than buy the cheaper one as having something to check your salt level is a must and should be the next thing you buy.
I'm an idiot! I do have a hydrometer. I didn't realize it was the proper name for this thing, pardon my lack of lingo. If anyone is still reading this board, my "salinity levels" are at 1.022. I will definitely be buying more rock instead to keep this tank going, though. The plastic plant is for a salt water aquarium, though I might end up getting rid of it just in case.
Thanks again for your suggestions
Jackie V.

 

[gnorman]

hey if u dont really know what drip acclimation is this site has a great explanation not only what it is but how to do it. ( its on the left side called "acclimation flash"
also, when u buy a fish come to this site to check the information on it out b.c most fish on here in the description have an acclimation time on it and so then u will know how long to acclimate each fish. some fish only require 1 hour and some fish may require 4 or more hours, so keep that in mind too.
hope that helped

 

[big]

Yes drip acclimation only . The LFS guys do not have the time to do that when they get fish in , but it is very important to do.
My LFS has a salinity lower than mine by several tens. I always check the PH, temperature and salinity and make the change over very slowly to your QT tank. I sometimes drip well over a gallon to match what the fish store bag shows, even more so if buying invertebrates. Sometime many hours.
Welcome to the boards, we all will help any way we can, we all make errors at times. That is one of the ways we learn. Better luck next try, don't give up. It is a great hobby!!