emergency

[larryp]

I have a yellow tang that had the markings of head and lateral line erosion. The markings cleared up but now she's laying on the bottem of the tank clinging to life. I tested the water in the tank and it tested ok. Over night the water became very cloudy and I don't know why. Any suggestions? Thanks

 

[thomas712]

Please give us your test results, temp, salinity, and age of tank, filtration methods, how did you acclimate this fish or was it in there awhile. Does the fish have red gills, spots, any ripped fins..etc..
Thomas

 

[beth]

Also, give some specific info about the type of tank you have, size, what else is in it, etc.
How long have you had the fish?
Was the fish eating until now?
Have you put any meds in the tank?

 

[larryp]

Thanks for the replies. The tang died last night. I've got a sample of the water being tested right now down at the local fish store right now. I tested it recently and the amonnia was low but the nitrates were in the middle of the chart. I have a 55 gallon tank. The salt is fine. Ive had the tank since Sept. of last year and the tang was one of the first fish I got.
She recently got some marks on her that I beleave fit the description of head and lateral line erosion but seamed to be clearing up. She was always eating fine, seaweed daily, live brine one day and flakes the next. The water has been cloudy of late. Looks like a lot of little bubbles. I use two aqua clear 300's for filtration. I put in a little prime twice a week and have recently been using a saltwater clearifier to try and get rid of the the cloudyness.
I recently lost a lion and a chocolate starfish. It's not going too well of late. I won't be adding anymore fish until I can get the water under control. What's left is an emporer angel, a hawaiin squirrel, blue damsel, yellow tail damsel, a hawaiin bottlenose puffer and an algea eater lini.

 

[thomas712]

Sorry to hear about the tang, could've been a nutritional deficiancy or stray voltage or both. If your tank is clouding up then still post those test results and we will chime in to see what we can do for you.
Thomas

 

[beth]

From what you describe, I believe your problem is tank environment related. Perhaps if you can give us some details about how you set up the tank, filtration, and the water readings, etc., we might be able to guide you.
Any ammonia is toxic to fish. High nitrates are not good either, and I have found them to be very problemmatic for tangs.

 

[larryp]

The results from the guys at the fish store were amonia level low but boarder line. The nitrate level in the middle of the chart. They told me to do a 25% water change and not to feed the remaining fish for three to four days. They ordered me a gravel vacume that I can pick up tomorrow. they suspect that I've been over feeding which is real possible. I just wanted happy fish, I didn't mean to kill them with to much bacteria! It's been 24 hours since I did the water change. It's still cloudy, looks like lots of tiny bubbles. I'll pick up the vacume tomorrow. Thanks again for your replies.

 

[stacyt]

One thing I would consider as well is the amount of fish that you have in that 55. That is a pretty heavily stocked 55. I would recommend removing the angel. He will outgrow that tank before to long.

 

[beth]

Again, I would suggest that you post your tank info, type of substrate, filters, so that we can assess what you have. Is your tank FO, reef, FOWLR?
I'm not sure what "boarderline" ammonia means. Any ammonia is bad news.

 

[larryp]

I don't understand the terms that you use. That's probably a lot of my problem. Not enough education prior to jumping in!
If the angel outgrows the tank, I'll get a bigger tank. By then hopefully I'll know what I'm doing.
For filtration, I've got 2 aquaclear 300's. They've got a sponge looking thing and a bag of charcoal. When starting the tank, I layed down a bag of small white rock and a bag of stuff that already had the bacteria built in to it. It's probably an inch and a half thick. Too much maybe?
On top of that, it's decorated with red lava rock, a few fake plants, a coral rock and a driftwood stump looking thing that they can hide in, swim thru or what ever.
I picked up the rock vac today but can't use it 'till the next water change. The guy at the fish store want's me to bring in another water sample for testing on Friday.

 

[larryp]

That was really good advice! I got the tank used from the pet store and the lava rocks came with it. I have no idea if they are effecting the ph nor have any idea how you would be able to tell.
I've just been letting the guy's at the store walk me through it. They tell me which fish are compatable and have tested the water many times. From when I first started out.
It was probably 3 weeks before I put any fish in it and then just started out with 4 damsels. I then added 1 exotic fish per week. Every thing went really good for the first three months. Then the water began to cloud up.
I don't know all the tests that they ran. I'm taking another sample to them Friday so I'll have to get back to you on that. I don't have a protene skimmer and don't know what it is. I'll look on this website for that info.
I haven't quarentined them either. As for their needs, again, I've been getting that info. From the fish store. I'll tell you what though, I'm slowing down!
What did you mean that a large water change could erase a magnitude of sins? How large a change?. Just did 25% the other day. I'm told too often can screw things all up.

 

[larryp]

The water is looking clearer today. The ph is 8.4, amm. is 0.1, nitrate 10 ppm and nitrites 0 ppm. Going to continue light feedings and test again on Monday.

 

[beth]

You should get your own test kits and test yourself. By chance, do you have any hobby books to reference? Good books can really help a new hobbyist out tremendously.

 

[larryp]

Thanks for your suggestions, I'll look into the books next time at the store. The water is slowly getting better. Thanks again!