Fish Dying

trulyjonny

trulyjonny

New Member
Okay so I'm very new to the hobby been a long time freshwater aquarium guy just switched over to saltwater. But to the point had my tank up and running now 2 months get frequent water test down at my local LFS since I'm not familiar with what products and equipment to use to test in the salt field(fresh water its just dips stick) but anyways I just found the saltwaterfish.com site which odd since its been in my home town and never heard of it. But i order a 3 clowns and 2 sail fin tangs 1 purple back dotty back? and some assortment of corals. I originally got my tank started from my local LFS and no problems with my fish or corals I got from there. one of my sail fins died within in 3 hours of putting it in the tank and one clown did the same just 5 hours after. spoke to the people and the reshipped them out my other tang and 2 clowns are doing awesome. I got the new tang in and he was looking lively and then about 3 hours later same thing same scenario dead. LFS said all my levels were within perfect placement of where they should be. I really enjoy the look the sail fins give to my tank and want more of them just don't get how they both die so fast from entering the tank from looking lively. Any and all suggestions advice on this will be beyond helpful and needed I can only read so much on other peoples issue that have had happen in the past but nothing same situations I'm having. sorry bout the ranting just got done working 13 hours I'll check this later hopefully I'll get some great help
John
 
tthemadd1

tthemadd1

Active Member
Stick with two clowns. They are territorial and pair up. Seems kind of odd but they are more easily stressed then the clowns.
 
trulyjonny

trulyjonny

New Member
I'm more worried why the sail fin tangs are dying within 3 hours of being put in. The sail fins are $40 to the $10 clowns. I don't understand how they are dying off the way they are. Any advice on products to use as well for at home testing for parameters?
 
jay0705

jay0705

Well-Known Member
Seachem Is a good brand for water test kits. As for the tangs how r u acclimating them? How long did the lfs have them b4 u bought them?
 
tthemadd1

tthemadd1

Active Member
How far are your parameters off from the LFS? How long are they keeping their fish before selling them to you? Are that tank raised or wild caught? A few questions to find out how stressed they are prior to introduction into your system.
 
tthemadd1

tthemadd1

Active Member
Acclimation time online is 4+ hours. Sounds like a very delicate fish. When it says acclimation it means getting enough water in the bag or additional to drip water from your tank into a container. Goal being to slowly change the salt levels and temp as well as minimizing the stress levels. I noticed someone here saying something about doing the work in the dark. Maybe an evening purchase and lowering the lights in the room. Jus like my lady likes it Lights dimmed some soft music to help relax. LOL. seriously though long acclimation time vs a clown fish that is hardy where you can just drop then in the tank.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by trulyjonny http:///t/395971/fish-dying#post_3527026
I'm more worried why the sail fin tangs are dying within 3 hours of being put in. The sail fins are $40 to the $10 clowns. I don't understand how they are dying off the way they are. Any advice on products to use as well for at home testing for parameters?
Hi,
Welcome to the site....First rule...NEVER ask the LFS for help or advice about what fish to add, or equipment to use. You should have your own (lab type) test kits. Go into the fish store knowing what you want or need.
Sailfins do not belong in a 90g tank. 135g minimum size tank is required. They grow to be 15 inches. Always purchase your fish with the adult size in mind, not the tiny juvenile you purchase.
2 months...you should NOT BE ADDING fish as fast as you have, 2 to 4 weeks in between additions to allow the tank parameters to adjust to the new bioload of each fish added. In two months that means you should have no more then 3 fish in the tank at this point. A quarantine tank would not only help to pace your additions, it would be the smart practice to do, so that the fish already in the tank won't be exposed to parasites or disease. $35.00 to set up a 10g quarantine is well worth the price, and worth more then it's weight in gold.
This book will save you big headaches...

A page to see the important info it offers:
 
trulyjonny

trulyjonny

New Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by tthemadd1 http:///t/395971/fish-dying#post_3527110
How far are your parameters off from the LFS? How long are they keeping their fish before selling them to you? Are that tank raised or wild caught? A few questions to find out how stressed they are prior to introduction into your system.
I bought my fish from saltwaterfish.com the clowns are ORA so what I've been reading on them is they are tank raised. As far as the paramaters of the LFS to mine I have no idea I bought 3 fish from there and they are still swimming around like champs in there.
 
trulyjonny

trulyjonny

New Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flower http:///t/395971/fish-dying#post_3527113
Hi,
Welcome to the site....First rule...NEVER ask the LFS for help or advice about what fish to add, or equipment to use. You should have your own (lab type) test kits. Go into the fish store knowing what you want or need.
Sailfins do not belong in a 90g tank. 135g minimum size tank is required. They grow to be 15 inches. Always purchase your fish with the adult size in mind, not the tiny juvenile you purchase.
2 months...you should NOT BE ADDING fish as fast as you have, 2 to 4 weeks in between additions to allow the tank parameters to adjust to the new bioload of each fish added. In two months that means you should have no more then 3 fish in the tank at this point. A quarantine tank would not only help to pace your additions, it would be the smart practice to do, so that the fish already in the tank won't be exposed to parasites or disease. $35.00 to set up a 10g quarantine is well worth the price, and worth more then it's weight in gold.
Thanks Flower, Yea it's a big difference from freshwater to saltwater. I'm still getting the hang of it doing lots of reading on it. I've read multiple places same kind of response's that the fish will grow to a compilable size to the environment they live in. Any recommendations on my own lab test kits or what to use? What is a good setup for a good quarantine tank?
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by trulyjonny http:///t/395971/fish-dying#post_3527163
Thanks Flower, Yea it's a big difference from freshwater to saltwater. I'm still getting the hang of it doing lots of reading on it. I've read multiple places same kind of response's that the fish will grow to a compilable size to the environment they live in. Any recommendations on my own lab test kits or what to use? What is a good setup for a good quarantine tank?
Hi,
Get that book, it tells you the adult size of the fish, and the size tank it needs. The myth of a fish only growing as large as it's environment is a tall tale. I agree that most captive fish won't reach full size...because we limit their food at the early stages of development, afraid to overfeed, but a sailfin is still not suitable for a 90g. If you care for your fish properly, there growth won't be stunted.
I use Seachem multi test kits, Salifert is another good brand...stay clear of API kits. A master kit is cheaper then purchasing all the tests separately. If you have corals, you will need to purchase a reef special kit as well, If you go with Seachem.
Tests you want:
PH
Alkalinity or KH
Phosphates (PO4)
Nitrates (NO3)
Nitrites (NO2)
Ammonia
Calcium
.
 
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