psychdoc
New Member
I posted my first message 6 weeks ago reporting high nitrates (well over 200) and the loss of several fish after 8 years of stability in my 75 g community tank along with a severe outbreak of HLLE on one of my fish (Lemon Peel).
Here is a brief update and then the bizarre behavior....with all other parameters still recording as normal except nitrates I have done 6 consecutive weekly water changes of 20 g each week , a thorough removal/cleaning of the 50-60 lbs of live rock, removal and cleaning of the bio balls from my wet/dry uniquarium, and a complete vaccuuming of the crushed coral substrate. All of this has resulted in the following:
Salinity = 1.023 (up from 1.019)
Ph = still 8.0
Ammonia = still 0
Nitrites = still 0
Nitrates = SLOWLY dropping...now hovering around 80-100, though still unsafe, this is MUCH improved from 6 weeks ago...finally.
My skimmer does not produce too much over the course of 48 hours, but I empty what little there is just to keep on top of it. I've added to the diet (my usual diet of brine, flakes, or Special VHP now soaks in Zoe each night, and I've added Mega-Marine Angel for the Lemon Peel).
The HLLE is finally clearing up on the Lemon Peel.
My large Cinammon Clown, four-striped damsel, neon purple goby, and brittle star, and cleaner shrimp are all still very healthy.
That brings me to my final remaining fish, the gold-tailed blue damsel (8 years old - original to the tank - same as the clown and other damsel).
A few days ago, the gold-tail blue damsel hovered in one spot low to the bottom for hours and showed no interest in eating. Unusual for him. Last night, he ate vorasciously again and acted normal.
Today, I noticed 85% of his tail fin is missing - cannot tell if it is erosion or if it was nipped off by a tank mate. As a result, this afternoon he is struggling to stay in the bottom 1/3 of the tank - it's as if his tail is filled with helium and he drifts to the top. In addition when he swims he now does so with with his tail toward the top and his head facing down - almost perpindicular. He is obviously struggling with his swimming, but all other indicators - his body, appetite, and appearance (missing tailfin notwithstanding) are that he is still healthy and solid. No evidence of HLLE, ich, scratchin, etc....only the tailfin issue in the last 24 hours.
Would missing that much of his tailfin throw off his swimming ability THAT much? Or is this symptomatic of something ELSE going wrong with my tank after 8 years of stability....maybe I'm overdue for a series of three 'events' to hit!
This is definitely not usual behavior for this fish. Is he just finally hitting old age? or will he return to normal when he grows back a signficant portion of his tailfin?
Will enjoy reading your thoughts on this latest mystery (to me).
Here is a brief update and then the bizarre behavior....with all other parameters still recording as normal except nitrates I have done 6 consecutive weekly water changes of 20 g each week , a thorough removal/cleaning of the 50-60 lbs of live rock, removal and cleaning of the bio balls from my wet/dry uniquarium, and a complete vaccuuming of the crushed coral substrate. All of this has resulted in the following:
Salinity = 1.023 (up from 1.019)
Ph = still 8.0
Ammonia = still 0
Nitrites = still 0
Nitrates = SLOWLY dropping...now hovering around 80-100, though still unsafe, this is MUCH improved from 6 weeks ago...finally.
My skimmer does not produce too much over the course of 48 hours, but I empty what little there is just to keep on top of it. I've added to the diet (my usual diet of brine, flakes, or Special VHP now soaks in Zoe each night, and I've added Mega-Marine Angel for the Lemon Peel).
The HLLE is finally clearing up on the Lemon Peel.
My large Cinammon Clown, four-striped damsel, neon purple goby, and brittle star, and cleaner shrimp are all still very healthy.
That brings me to my final remaining fish, the gold-tailed blue damsel (8 years old - original to the tank - same as the clown and other damsel).
A few days ago, the gold-tail blue damsel hovered in one spot low to the bottom for hours and showed no interest in eating. Unusual for him. Last night, he ate vorasciously again and acted normal.
Today, I noticed 85% of his tail fin is missing - cannot tell if it is erosion or if it was nipped off by a tank mate. As a result, this afternoon he is struggling to stay in the bottom 1/3 of the tank - it's as if his tail is filled with helium and he drifts to the top. In addition when he swims he now does so with with his tail toward the top and his head facing down - almost perpindicular. He is obviously struggling with his swimming, but all other indicators - his body, appetite, and appearance (missing tailfin notwithstanding) are that he is still healthy and solid. No evidence of HLLE, ich, scratchin, etc....only the tailfin issue in the last 24 hours.
Would missing that much of his tailfin throw off his swimming ability THAT much? Or is this symptomatic of something ELSE going wrong with my tank after 8 years of stability....maybe I'm overdue for a series of three 'events' to hit!
This is definitely not usual behavior for this fish. Is he just finally hitting old age? or will he return to normal when he grows back a signficant portion of his tailfin?
Will enjoy reading your thoughts on this latest mystery (to me).
