Death of Clown Trigger

[benihuma]

Today when I got home from work, I found my 2 inch clown trigger dead on the bottom of the tank. I have no idea what could have killed him. My levels are all good, and my 2 inch huma is doing fine, as are my cleaner wrasse and snowflake eel. I have an extemely large hermit crab, like peach-sized...could he have killed him? I highly doubt it. I spent 100 bones on him too.
So, should I try my luck with another clown, or go for something else. Give me some ideas. For now, I mourn the loss of Taxi.
Ben

 

[treble]

Man really sorry to here your loss. $100! Wow, that a little steep, if your going to get another one, but from here, prices are cheap. Fish just go out, dont know why, but its just bad luck sometimes. Are there any lasorations on him? If the hermit killed him, or anything else for that matter, it would have probly left a mark. Mourning your loss, Evan

 

[guppie]

Sorry to hear about your loss. I would think if the hermit would have killed him you would not have seen him on the bottom of you tank, he would have been gone. How long have you had him, and was he eatting well or was he actting strange.

 

[pufferlover]

As hardy as Clown Triggers are considered to be sometimes you get a bad one. I had a cute small one for a few weeks and then it just died. The main thing here is what was asked above how long had you had it and was it eating and acting well the last you noticed. If so then chalk it up to bad luck and move on.

 

[eric18]

Ive never had a clown trigger but ive heard from alot of poeple that the survival rate is pretty low when u get them small.

 

[pufferlover]

Eric; You bring up a point that I would like to throw out for opinions. I have always liked to buy baby fish when possible. Now my experience has been very good doing that, but yes there have been losses along the way. Now my personal experience has been that baby Wrasses, Angels, Tangs, and Clowns have done very well for me. Baby Triggers so-so, baby blennies and gobies not good. Oh also baby Hawkfish very good. I have read that in some fish smaller ones adapt and do better but it was not a scientific article by any means. How have others fared?

 

[eric18]

my baby picasso died but my grandfather hs a adult picasso that has done great

 

[beth]

Babies are more vulnerable out of their natural habitat, just like all young animals, including humans. Their immune systems are not as developed, they have not experienced the hardships and stresses of living in a "survival of the fittest" environment and lived long enough to encounter and survive opportunistic disease processes [which enhances immunity] as have their adult counterparts. Additionally, schooling baby fish, are taken from their protective "schools" and thrust into the world of capture in the aquaria hobby.
Yes, babies are more vulnerable, but if they survive, you have the opportunity for more aggressive fish to grow with your tank, and the tank inhabitants resulting in less aggressive encounters with tankmates, and, of course, the fish will be a a part of your ecosystem for much longer, since you acquired the fish young.
[ August 10, 2001: Message edited by: Beth ]

 

[pufferlover]

Excellent point by Beth and one I share completely that being if you are lucky in growing them from babyhood they seem to be much less aggressive as they mature. Case in point my Clown Trigger in my 135 bought as a little baby in 8-97 (just noticed it was the 14th his birthday coming up) he has grown with the same fish for all that time (just added first new fish a Golden Tail Moray in that tank this week- first fish in there since 97) and has never ever shown any aggression toward fish that he should not even be with. The only overt act he has ever done is bite me a couple months ago when I was cleaning his area of the tank- my fault not his really). There are some other fish in my other tanks that share the same story and I can't think of one case where as they grew they have become nasty. Now I can't say that would be true if I added a new fish to their tank but certain tanks I have not fooled with as they work to well as is.

 

[trigahappynigerog]

Rest in peace to your clown. most young clowns cant survive. spend another 100 beans and get at least a 5inch, they get hardier as they get bigger.