Mysterious Undy deaths...

[simms]

I have a 65g. Currently housing a Falco Hawk and 3 damsels.
I tried to add a small undulate trigger. I know eventually, he would have been too big and would probably kill the other fish. Within a day, it died. It appeared to have callouses and had trouble breakthing. Upon inspection of my numbers, I was normal in all of my numbers except slightly high in ammonium and salinity (1.028). They were acclimated normally.
20% Water change. I waited a week. Numbers all went back to normal..zeros, 1.024.
Found a slightly bigger Undy. Bought him. He lasted 2 days. Same problem. None of the other fish are showing any signs of being sick. They have all been housed in this tank for 4 months together.
My question- Are they dying because of the size of the tank? The aggressive damsels? High salinity? Or did I just get unlucky twice?

 

[lion_crazz]

How are you acclimating the fish and for how long?

 

[simms]

20 minutes bag sealed in water
10 minutes bag open in water
dump one cup of water in bag
let sit for 20 minutes
dump fish and water
Both fish were motoring around the tank the first night. Checking out the rocks, even eating brine pellets.

 

[rstiles]

wrong way. Try reading the acclimation guide on the side bar.

 

[krazekajin]

another thing is that sometimes a LFS has a bad batch of fish or even that they don't properly care for their fish. I know that at my local *****, I can buy fish and corals and they all live. But buy a shrimp, and bam none last longer than 12 hours, no matter how I acclimate them.
But for starters, acclimate your fish longer.

 

[lion_crazz]

Your acclimation process most likely killed both of the fish. This site gives the proper acclimation on the side bar.

 

[simms]

Thanks guys! I'll use this way! I'll let you know if the next undy survives my inexperience.

 

[fiji_blue]

Originally Posted by Simms
I have a 65g. Currently housing a Falco Hawk and 3 damsels.
I tried to add a small undulate trigger. I know eventually, he would have been too big and would probably kill the other fish. Within a day, it died. It appeared to have callouses and had trouble breakthing. Upon inspection of my numbers, I was normal in all of my numbers except slightly high in ammonium and salinity (1.028). They were acclimated normally.
20% Water change. I waited a week. Numbers all went back to normal..zeros, 1.024.
Found a slightly bigger Undy. Bought him. He lasted 2 days. Same problem. None of the other fish are showing any signs of being sick. They have all been housed in this tank for 4 months together.
My question- Are they dying because of the size of the tank? The aggressive damsels? High salinity? Or did I just get unlucky twice?
Thats a big no no. The Undulate Triggerfish is the meanest, baddest fish in the hobby in my opinion and a lot of others.

 

[seannmelly]

Originally Posted by fiji_blue
Thats a big no no. The Undulate Triggerfish is the meanest, baddest fish in the hobby in my opinion and a lot of others.
ditto

 

[titan]

Besides the fact the tankmates that'll be with the Undy, are far from able to hold there own. I'm going to have to disagree with the others that the acclimation process did these fish in. While it was done incorrect, and did place stress on the fish IMO it didn't end it's life. These fish are as tough as nails; equal to the hardiness of damsels. I know people who've cycled tanks with these guys, and I firmly disagree with it, but they are hardy. It sounds like the fish were in rough shape when you purchased? If so look for a healthy Undy, and QT. Fatten them up, observe them for any parasites, or these calloses that arose, before tossing them into your main tank. Internal parasites could've been the issue, how long did your LFS have them before you purchased?, were they eating? If I order a fish in specially that my LFS doesn't carry too often, they better be healthy, and if not I make my LFS guy keep him until I approve of the fish's condition.

 

[55semireef]

Originally Posted by fiji_blue
Thats a big no no. The Undulate Triggerfish is the meanest, baddest fish in the hobby in my opinion and a lot of others.
Yeah I have heard many horror stories of an undulate killing a grouper almost twice the size of him. :scared:

 

[simms]

I don't mind aggressive. If the other fish are eventually lunch, I am fine with it. My concern in this thread is the deaths of the Undys.
Lion--I certainly hope it was the acclaimation process. Next time I find a good specimine, I'll acclaimate it right and everything will be smooth from there. I know you are from Philly, Have you ever been to aquatech (neshaminy) before. That is where i got the second specimine. It is a nice store.
Titan--The first fish, I admit I didn't study at all. I was in the store, had wanted one. Spoke to LFS and he stated it was eating. I believed him and bought him. I was about 50 miles from my home, and wanted to bring him home. Dumb me. The second one I was much more careful. I went to a different store, closer to home, three seperate occasions and he seemed fine. I spoke to the LFS guy, he told me he was eating. (observed him eatin 2x) The fish seemed active. The second undy was in that store for approximately 3 weeks.
Any other opinions on the reason for the undy's deaths would be appreciated!

 

[lion_crazz]

Hm, no I have not been there. I am pretty close to Nehaminy though. Where exactly are they located?
Isn't AquaTech also a service company for fish tanks as well? I could have swore I saw an AquaTech truck at the fish store I was at today...

 

[simms]

Aquatech Tropical Fish Environments
4201 Neshaminy Blvd., P.M.B. 224, Bensalem, Pennsylvania 19020 USA
The store looks like a take-out food place. it seriously looks like a dive. However when you go inside, it has a nice selection. Clean.

 

[lion_crazz]

wow, thanks, I will have to check it out.
Do they have a nice sized fish room?
Hm, I just google earthed it and it shows that it is very close to the Neshaminy Mall. It seems to appear right near the shopping center with the religious store and the PennDot place. Is this right?

 

[simms]

It is about 10 minutes from the mall/penndot place.

 

[lion_crazz]

Oh okay, great, thanks Simms!