odd deaths!

[squidworth]

To make a long story short I have had poor track record keeping fish alive. I have killed 2 perc clowns, bi color (shouldnt have bought) 2 damsels, and a diamond goby. All of these fish went into the tank well, one at a time (never more than 2 fish in the tank at one time), and acted good for about 3 days just to slowly start hanging in one spot, not eating, then they move to the top area of the tank then croak about 2-3 weeks later. I have a 75gal, 50lbs lr, 4-5 inch dsb. No skimmer, and a wet dry set up. Temp at 75 and 0 across the board on tests, ph 8.2, sal 1.023. This whole time I have had a yellow tang that is in perfect condition. 10 mexican turbos. The fish never show any symptons other than behavior. No spots, rotting fins, or anthing visible.
The water has been tested by me and 2 different stores all to come up with the same. Technically good water. Oh and I do use distilled.
What should I do to narrow this down?
stray voltage?
Bad food?
Do I have a killer in my tank that I cant see? (I have not noticed any real damage to them other than sitting in a filter box for a day

 

[sistrmary]

It could just be that you have a killer yellow tang. It happens fairly often when they're the first additions to the tank. Especially in smaller tanks (Not that a 75gal is small per se, but in larger tanks, they're not found to be as aggressive)
It may not even really be hurting your fish, just stressing them, keeping them from eating/living a normal fish life.

 

[squidworth]

I havent really seen the tang bother him...but could very well be happening!.....arg I hope not. My family really love him

 

[beth]

If this happens again, check out the dying fish for any mark or wound at all. The sword wound of the tang can be as tiny as a pin-prick so you may need to take a very close look. Use a magnifying glass.
Other than that, what kind of water circulation do you have? Why don't you add a skimmer?

 

[squidworth]

So the tang can kill them fairly easy? I will add a skimmer soon. I kinda went double budget on this project and the wife had had about enough. I will have a skimmer and new lighting by the end of the year. This tank has only been running since early march

 

[beth]

Tangs are commonly called surgeonfish [in case you didn't know]. They have little scaple like, razor sharp spikes [white in color] on either side of their bodies above the caudal fin. In aggressive mode, these spikes, which normally lay flat against the body, extend like a switchblade. And the rest is history. The wound can be so perfect, that a mark may not even be noticable.

 

[squidworth]

Well after taking a closer look at the behavior of the tang and clown, I do notice the clown avoiding him and only comming out at night. I have started to feed some whilel the lights are out so the clown will get a bit of food and hold on for a few more days. I have stuck a deal with my lfs and the tang is history. I am gonna let the clown run the tank for a little while and get a diamond gobby to work my sand. I think the damn tang killed the last gobby I had also...so lets see what happens.
Does anyone have any suggestions to explain fish being gone to a 2 1/2 year old? LOL

 

[beth]

Well, if you've had him that long, then why not try keeping him? Place the tang in a QT for a month---time out, so to speak. Add a few fish to the main tank in the mean time and rearrange the rocks a bit. By the time the tang gets back home, he may just have learned his lesson!
I have had this work for me with tangs, so its worth a shot.