Dead Yellow Tang - Many Questions but

[l.i reefer]

OK, I know that I should not have added him to my four week old tank (it did cycle) and that the tank should have matured for a much longer time. Found the little one at the back of the tank breathing heavy and almost lifeless. A coat of dark black dust was over his body not heavy but like a mist. Well, I did my search and found many posts regarding a hypo. I followed it by taking 3 gallons from my main tank and putting it in a 10 gallon empty tank with heater and power head. I added half a gallon of distilled water and my hydro showed 1.021 from 1.023. I was going to slowly push it to 1.009 over the next day but he finally gave up. His color over the past day did look pale and not bright yellow. All my tank parameters were OK and I did a quick water change when I saw him- 20% before I moved him out.
Was I too late. Did I do something wrong. Was it ich even though there was no fin rot or white specs? How could I learn from this? He was in the tank for about two weeks and no, I didn't QT him. I know better now. The other fish look OK.
Thank you all for your responses. It is difficult to have a loss like this. Really difficult.

 

[beth]

No not ich. How many fish do you have in your tank that has only been running for a month? What other fish do you have in that tank, and what kind of tank is it? How big is it?
Was the "black dust" really dusty in appearance, or was the fish just discolored. Notice any rapid breathing with the tang? Notice any rapid breathing with your current fish? Darting behavior? Scratching?

 

[l.i reefer]

It is a 35 Tall Hex (~30"H x ~20"W), I have one domino damsel that is about three weeks old. He was added with two other fish, a blue damsel and a 3 strip damsel. The 3 striped died the next day and the blue damsel was abused by another blue damsel and evertually died. I tried to QT him but it was too late.
I currently have 2 dominos, 1 blue damsel and 1 clown perc, 3 pepermint shrimp and 3 red hermit crabs. The tang had a dark black patch on his side when I took him out. I didn't noticed he was breeding heavily andhis color was pale yellow (dark yellow). I did notice the other fish (damsels) are darting a bit in and out the LR. No noticeable heavy breathing with any fish.
Thanks for any guidance.
Derrick

 

[beth]

Well, that size tank, that is really just established to boot, just isn't going to hold a tang. There is normally a brownish blotch on tangs when they die.
I'd suggest that you take care to limit your tank to smaller fish, as it just will not hod anything larger than a couple of inches. For a new tank, you've already added too many organisms at once. A tank that has been up for month should have maybe 1 hardy creature in it, not what your current load is.
Patience pays in this hobby.

 

[l.i reefer]

Beth,
Thanks for you input. I figured the same. I learned so much in such a short time and I am very thankful for this board and the people that respond. I am looking at upgrading or having a bigger main tank. A 72 Bow or 48 Bow looks appealing. I think I will stay with my 35 Hex for now.

 

[beth]

Hey, I have a 72 gal bow. It has its pluses and minuses. I don't know if you have any hobby books, but IMO Robert Fenner's, "The Conscientious Marine Aquarist" is an excellent bood and very enjoyable. I'd suggest you get it, and read it, if you haven't already. I recommend it to all new hobbyist, however, it is a good book for any level of experience.

 

[l.i reefer]

Just ordered the book. Thanks.
If you don't mind me asking?
What are the minuses and plus of a 72 Bow?
What would you choose if you could do it over again?