Why are the fish dying

stanleyktag

stanleyktag

New Member
I have a 125g aquarium with a 20g refugium and it has been running for about 8 weeks. I started with the refugium with some old live rock and new live rock and live sand and some cheato. I let that run for about 2 weeks then added a yellow-tailed damsel. After the 4 week, I got the 125g circulating with the refugium and moved the damsel to the 125g. The Ammonia, Nitrates and Nitrites are all at good levels. I am using RODI water that I produced and keep the SG at about 1.024.

Last week, I purchased an orange firefish, a purple firefish, 2 turbo snails, 2 hermit crabs, a peppermint shrimp (shrimp stays in refugium) and a rock of mushrooms. All of this was from a reputable local saltwater dealer.

After the 3rd day the orange firefish died. I was suspicious of the damsel but there is so much room in the tank I never saw the fish ever interacting/fighting with each other. I decided to leave the tank as it is an continue to watch the water quality. Then after the 5th day, the damsel dies and the 6th day, the purple firefish dies. All of my invertebrates are alive and doing well.

Why are my fish dying? What am I missing?

I should also state that they had been eating well and all the fish looked healthy. I fed them brine shrimp.

I will also state that I am just getting back into the hobby. I had a nice saltwater setup through the 90s. Then wife and kids came along and I took it all down. Now that the kids are a bit older, I am getting back in and wow how the industry has changed.
So when I mention old live rock, this is live rock I had from the 90s. I cleaned in bleach and then rinsed and soaked really well repeatedly for about a week to make sure the chlorine was rinsed away.

Any help or suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Thank you.
 
jay0705

jay0705

Well-Known Member
The damsel I would say was your issue but it died as well. Now what r your tank readings? Ammonia and such? Fire fish can fight unless there a pair, so mixing the 2 could have been an issue. Honestly tho if it was a chemical imbalance generally inverts will die first. And yours are all good u say. Did u qt ur fish? Also alot of people don't like brine as a standard food due to its lack of nutrition. That said I feed it mixed w mysis and have fat happy fish lol. Was that your issue no. Prob not. I would try a new hardy fish and wait. Fox face, or a pair of clowns maybe. I'd say u had aggression or bad fish.
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by stanleyktag http:///t/396751/why-are-the-fish-dying#post_3534975
I have a 125g aquarium with a 20g refugium and it has been running for about 8 weeks. I started with the refugium with some old live rock and new live rock and live sand and some cheato. I let that run for about 2 weeks then added a yellow-tailed damsel. After the 4 week, I got the 125g circulating with the refugium and moved the damsel to the 125g. The Ammonia, Nitrates and Nitrites are all at good levels. I am using RODI water that I produced and keep the SG at about 1.024.

Last week, I purchased an orange firefish, a purple firefish, 2 turbo snails, 2 hermit crabs, a peppermint shrimp (shrimp stays in refugium) and a rock of mushrooms. All of this was from a reputable local saltwater dealer.

After the 3rd day the orange firefish died. I was suspicious of the damsel but there is so much room in the tank I never saw the fish ever interacting/fighting with each other. I decided to leave the tank as it is an continue to watch the water quality. Then after the 5th day, the damsel dies and the 6th day, the purple firefish dies. All of my invertebrates are alive and doing well.

Why are my fish dying? What am I missing?

I should also state that they had been eating well and all the fish looked healthy. I fed them brine shrimp.

I will also state that I am just getting back into the hobby. I had a nice saltwater setup through the 90s. Then wife and kids came along and I took it all down. Now that the kids are a bit older, I am getting back in and wow how the industry has changed.
So when I mention old live rock, this is live rock I had from the 90s. I cleaned in bleach and then rinsed and soaked really well repeatedly for about a week to make sure the chlorine was rinsed away.

Any help or suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Thank you.


Hi,

Welcome to the site.
Can you list your equipment, and brands if you know them...power heads, skimmer and such.
 
stanleyktag

stanleyktag

New Member
The Ammonia, Nitrates and Nitrites are all in the good range. As it turns out, the purple firefish is still alive. I could not find him yesterday when he has been normally swimming. But in an effort to find the body, I had gone through and moved all the rock. In the effort, I had found him alive and well under a rock formation. He has no visible signs of stress or fight marks.

Also, I will gather a list of all my equipment.

thanks,
Ken
 
jay0705

jay0705

Well-Known Member
Ah very good. Yes they are amazing at hiding. I buy lr w holes in it just for that reason. Fish like feeling secure hiding places help w that. Now that u do have a live fish. Just wait and see. Its a good starter fish BC they won't become territorial when u add new fish. Except another fire fish. That I wouldn't do. Purple especially can be aggressive towards other fire fish. If after 2-4 wks all is good try and add a fish or two. I wouldn't add any more damsels Tho lol
 
flower

flower

Well-Known Member
Quote:
Originally Posted by stanleyktag http:///t/396751/why-are-the-fish-dying#post_3535002
The Ammonia, Nitrates and Nitrites are all in the good range. As it turns out, the purple firefish is still alive. I could not find him yesterday when he has been normally swimming. But in an effort to find the body, I had gone through and moved all the rock. In the effort, I had found him alive and well under a rock formation. He has no visible signs of stress or fight marks.

Also, I will gather a list of all my equipment.

thanks,
Ken

Hi,

I'm glad the fish was okay after all...but you did something that I feel needs to be explained just so you are aware....

Moving rock, not so much a concern on a new tank, but as your tank matures, toxins can get trapped under the sand layers, and around or under the rock where it hasn't been disturbed for a long time. You SHOULD have sufficient CUC to take care of any dead critters deep in your rock, so you don't have to go looking through the rock for anything that's "missing". You always take a chance when you go moving your rock, that toxins could be released. I always run carbon to prevent toxin troubles, it will help dissipate toxins but not instantly.

Keeping the sand at 2 inches or less (not possible if you have critters that need deep sand beds) will help a great deal to not have junk trapped in deep layers where the diggers (certain members of your CUC) can't stir up or move the sand for you.

At any rate for the reasons explained, many times it can't be avoided, but moving your rock around isn't a good idea, it's a last resort kind of thing to have to do.
 
stanleyktag

stanleyktag

New Member
Jay and Flower, thank you for your responses.

I was excited to see that purple firefish and just as you suggested, I plan to watch the system for a while to ensure that the fish and inverts are happy before I make any other changes or additions.

I want to make sure I have a good clean up crew. I will do some searches on this forum, but do you have any further recommendations for my future reef system?

This is a great forum. Lots of great info here.

thank you.
 
jay0705

jay0705

Well-Known Member
Depends what u want to keep. I use snails and shrimp. I have 3 pep and a skunk cleaner. My snails are nassiruis,and cerith
 
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