A couple of unexpected deaths?

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Since this board has been up, we have found there are several questions that routinely get asked in order to help diagnose problems. If you can have that information to begin with in your post, we'll be able to help right away (if we can!) without having to wait for you to post the info we need.

1) Your water parameters - pH, Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrates and salinity (if appropriate). This is by far the most important information you can provide! Do not answer this with "Fine" "Perfect" "ok", that tells us nothing. We need hard numbers.

2) Tank size and a list of ALL inhabitants. Include algae eaters, plecos, everything. We need to know what you have and how big the tank is.

3) Feeding, water change schedule and a list of all products you are using or have added to the tank (examples: Cycle, Amquel, salt, etc)

4) What changes you've made in the tank in the last week or so. Sometimes its the little things that make all the difference.

5) How long the aquarium has been set up, and how did you cycle it? If you don't know what cycling is read this: Fishless Cycling Article and familiarize yourself with all the information. Yes. All of it.

We want to help, and providing this information will go a LONG way to getting a diagnosis and hopeful cure that much faster.

While you wait for assistance:
One of the easiest and best ways to help your fish feel better is clean water! If you are already on a regular water change schedule (50% weekly is recommended) a good step to making your fish more comfortable while waiting for diagnosis/suggestions is to do a large water change immediately. Feel free to repeat daily or as often as you can, clean water is always a good thing! Use of Amquel or Prime as a dechlor may help with any ammonia or nitrite issues, and is highly recommended.

Note - if you do not normally do large water changes, doing a sudden, large water change could shock your fish by suddenly changing their established water chemistry. Clean water is still your first goal, so in this case, do several smaller (10%) water changes over the next day or two before starting any large ones.
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lazee
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A couple of unexpected deaths?

Post by lazee »

To answer the above questions in order: -
1) pH = 7.5, Ammonia = 0, Nitrite = 0, Nitrate = around 10, Salinity = 1.006 SG

2) 60 gallon; 1x 1" GSP, 1 x 1.5" F8, 1 x 3.5" Silver Scat, 1 x 2.5" Mono Sebae, 2 x 2.5" Dalmation Mollies, 1 x "Bluey" Lobster, 3 x Red Crabs

3) Feed puffers every other day except when I top up the red crabs (as normally one or two are eaten upon intro) and feed remaining fish with a few flakes every day.

4) 50% Water Change 3 days ago (was currently no changes for 12 days as I ran out of salt) Disturbed the sand quite a lot as re-arranging decor at the same time.... water is still quite cloudy as a result. Also, have purchased a different marine salt from normal as my LFS has stopped stocking my usual. (apparently i was the only one that bought it)

5) Newish tank... has been fully established and running now for just over 5 months

Well I came home from work tonight to find my second, larger, bluey lobster dead with no visible signs of puffer induced death.... still had all legs and eyes. But I assumed it had just fell prey to the crabs as they were all over it when I found it. I left it in for an hour before fishing it out to let the puffers feed on it.

I have just had a last look now before going to bed and my 3" red / green scat was dead on the base of the tank. It has been perfectly fine up until now. Again, it has no visible signs of puffer induced death. I have just undertaken water tests... results as above and am puzzled as to why the sudden deaths?

Puffers (and remaining fish) appear ok, white bellies and fairly active but am a little concerned there's something I've missed. The last thing I want is the rest of my tank being dead by the time i return from work tomorrow?

Any pointers would be greatfully appreciated. :? :? :?
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crazedpuffer
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Re: A couple of unexpected deaths?

Post by crazedpuffer »

A few incompatible fish.
GSP and Monos need full SW when older, while F8s and I think scats need low brackish.
I'd sort those out, it may help you quite a lot.
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Pufferpunk
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Re: A couple of unexpected deaths?

Post by Pufferpunk »

What test kits are you using? Hard to believe the nitrate is so low.
You are getting sleepy... you only hear the sound of my voice... you must do water changes... water changes... water changes... water changes...

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lazee
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Re: A couple of unexpected deaths?

Post by lazee »

@ crazedpuffer I am fully intending to 'split' the tank as the fish get older to allow the GSP live in a higher SG. I didn't know mono's needed higher SG also though. mmm :shock:

@ pufferpunk.. I'm using Nutrafin liquid test kits. Nitrate i would normally expect to find a bit higher but thought my big water change may have had something to do with the low level? I'll do a re-test tonight if it appears odd. Haven't got time just now... already late for work but needed to check if any replies.

However, an update... no more casualties this morning, :D will have to cross fingers and see if anything happens whilst I am at work
If you're not living on the edge... you're taking up too much room
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Pufferpunk
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Posts: 32979
Joined: Tue May 31, 2005 11:06 am
Gender: Female
My Puffers: Puffers I have kept:
T lineatus
T miurus
A modestus
T biocellatus
C valentini
C coranata
C papuan
C lorteti
DPs
suvattii
burrfish
T niphobles
Location (country): USA, Greenville, SC
Location: Greenville, SC
Contact:
Contact Pufferpunk

Re: A couple of unexpected deaths?

Post by Pufferpunk »

Are you sure you didn't just find the lobster's shell shed?
You are getting sleepy... you only hear the sound of my voice... you must do water changes... water changes... water changes... water changes...

"The solution to pollution is dilution!"
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lazee
Puffer Fry
Posts: 41
Joined: Mon Dec 10, 2007 6:26 pm
My Puffers: 1x SAP
2x GSP
3x F8
3x Dwarf / Pygmy Puffers
Location: Musselburgh, Scotland

Re: A couple of unexpected deaths?

Post by lazee »

Nope, was def the bigeer lobster. I sat and watched the puffers eating it before I fished it out.
If you're not living on the edge... you're taking up too much room
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