Feeling defeated with continuous loss…

[pjfish77]

Hi guys!
I’m coming here for advice and maybe as somewhat of an outlet… Almost every fish I purchase does not make it past the first week. I have two tanks, a 32g and a 10g, and I’ve had this issue with both over the past twelve months. I’ve lost two six line wrasses (from Petco…) and one firefish (from LFS) in this time period, and only had a watchman goby (also LFS) do well in my 10g; let it be known he/she is one of the most personable and funky little fish I’ve ever owned! Anyways, I’ve been feeling quite frustrated and defeated about this. The fish I already have are fine, my water quality parameters haven’t been out of whack during this period, and I just don’t know what I’m doing wrong. The most recent loss was a small six line whom I added to my 10g to grow out for a while before graduating to the larger tank :( I work part time at a zoo so loosing an animals always sucks no matter what it is, and I can’t help but blame myself or think I should’ve/could’ve done more. My leading hypothesis atm is that I’m not acclimating my fish long enough which is sending into shock and ultimately killing them, I usually drip acclimate for about 45-60 min depending on the species but I’m starting to think this might not be long enough, even though I’ve pretty much done this forever with no problems. If you’ve read this far, thank you, I would appreciate words of advice and encouragement. It might just be bad luck but if anyone has had a similar problem or knows of things I may be doing wrong to cause this please let me know! It’s been quite a burden in what I try to make a fun hobby for myself, especially when feeling as if I am “wasting” fish’s lives and ultimately money too. I hope this reaches the right people, thanks.

 

[Peace River]

I am truly sorry for your loss. One approach is to step back and become a water gardener first and make sure that you get the water right. Also, consider where you are getting your fish from. If a fish passes within the first week then the health of the fish and the quality of the water (or at least the change between the existing water and the new water) are key places to look. Good luck on whatever direction that you go from here.

 

[CHSUB]

Not qt is likely an issue? I think drip acclimation is overrated. I simply float and release with sg closely matched into a qt tank for hybrid TTM. More information about your tank would be helpful, with pictures.

 

[Abominable Snow Crab]

Fish are extremely resilient and most people way over acclimate imo. I just float them for a couple minutes (no more than 5) so they can get their bearings as far as a new environment is concerned and then I dump them in a net and then right into the display. Then I like to feed the tank and usually the new guy is already eating within 10 minutes.

I hope you find the cuase of your loses.

 

[W31Olds]

Hi guys!
I’m coming here for advice and maybe as somewhat of an outlet… Almost every fish I purchase does not make it past the first week. I have two tanks, a 32g and a 10g, and I’ve had this issue with both over the past twelve months. I’ve lost two six line wrasses (from Petco…) and one firefish (from LFS) in this time period, and only had a watchman goby (also LFS) do well in my 10g; let it be known he/she is one of the most personable and funky little fish I’ve ever owned! Anyways, I’ve been feeling quite frustrated and defeated about this. The fish I already have are fine, my water quality parameters haven’t been out of whack during this period, and I just don’t know what I’m doing wrong. The most recent loss was a small six line whom I added to my 10g to grow out for a while before graduating to the larger tank :( I work part time at a zoo so loosing an animals always sucks no matter what it is, and I can’t help but blame myself or think I should’ve/could’ve done more. My leading hypothesis atm is that I’m not acclimating my fish long enough which is sending into shock and ultimately killing them, I usually drip acclimate for about 45-60 min depending on the species but I’m starting to think this might not be long enough, even though I’ve pretty much done this forever with no problems. If you’ve read this far, thank you, I would appreciate words of advice and encouragement. It might just be bad luck but if anyone has had a similar problem or knows of things I may be doing wrong to cause this please let me know! It’s been quite a burden in what I try to make a fun hobby for myself, especially when feeling as if I am “wasting” fish’s lives and ultimately money too. I hope this reaches the right people, thanks.

You will continue to lose fish because at this point your Tank has a Pathogen. I suggest you Fallow your Tank for 60 Days with no Fish and begin QT Protocol on all new arrivals including cleanup crew, corals, anything wet. Fish from Petco and most likely your LFS are not Quarantined so you keep bringing in parasites. Drip acclimation of Fish purchased locally is not causing your problems.

 

[JumboShrimp]

"Happy water = Happy fish" (that's my starting point). But I guess you can't help to be suspicious of your source of fish. Hang in there.

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Just want to add that I'm sorry to hear about your fish loss. Hope you get it figured out and hang in there!

 

[slingfox]

The most likely culprits are poor water quality and fisheries disease. Poor water quality can be addressed by testing (you don’t post any parameters) and better husbandry overall. Fish disease can be addressed by QT’ing your fish or purchasing fish which are QT’d.

 

[Ernie Mccracken]

Don't buy fresh wild caught fish. Almost all wild fish are carrying something, often multiple things. They are caught, bagged, and travel the world in a box for days on end in ammonia water.

Then a customer buys it, does zero treatment, no QT, straight into the tank it goes. Not a great setup for success.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I agree that I would FALLOW your tank for 60 days to make sure there is nothing lingering in the tank. Once that time period is up, slowly start adding fish again, and buy from pre-qt'd places (like Dr. Reef) if you don't plan on doing qt yourself.

Hang in there! We all experience low points in the hobby, but in the valley comes the climb to the mountain of success!

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Would like to hear more about what fish you added and lost? What does your tank look like, how much rock in your tanks? What are the water parameters? How is the water oxygenated? Are you ordering fish by courier or buying them locally?

Reading that you added a 6 line to a 10 gallon tank (along with a watchmen goby?) raises ref flags in my mind. I am guessing there is not quarantine, another red flag.

Really need a lot more info to help you out, its really not normal to have so many fish losses and I urge you to share more info with us to work it out.

 

[Branzol]

Are you checking the salinity of the water they are in from the LFS. In my experience a lot of LFS run salinity on the lower side. If you’re running 1.025-1.026, and the store is 1.019 or 1.018 or even lower that shock could be doing it if they’re not acclimated properly.

When I’m buying fish I always ask the store to check the tank they came out of, and I check it again when I get home. If it’s super low my drip is done of the course of hours.

 

[BryanM]

I tend to agree with the fallow side of things. It seems there's something already in your tank that is bad.

Otherwise, salinity of the bagged fish, if far off from your tank, is the other likely culprit, and as already noted a lot of fish stores/etc often have salinity much lower than our tanks... .So that shocks the fish unless properly acclimated.

 

[Freenow54]

You will continue to lose fish because at this point your Tank has a Pathogen. I suggest you Fallow your Tank for 60 Days with no Fish and begin QT Protocol on all new arrivals including cleanup crew, corals, anything wet. Fish from Petco and most likely your LFS are not Quarantined so you keep bringing in parasites. Drip acclimation of Fish purchased locally is not causing your problems.

Does not make sense to me as the other fish are fine.

 

[Freenow54]

Hi guys!
I’m coming here for advice and maybe as somewhat of an outlet… Almost every fish I purchase does not make it past the first week. I have two tanks, a 32g and a 10g, and I’ve had this issue with both over the past twelve months. I’ve lost two six line wrasses (from Petco…) and one firefish (from LFS) in this time period, and only had a watchman goby (also LFS) do well in my 10g; let it be known he/she is one of the most personable and funky little fish I’ve ever owned! Anyways, I’ve been feeling quite frustrated and defeated about this. The fish I already have are fine, my water quality parameters haven’t been out of whack during this period, and I just don’t know what I’m doing wrong. The most recent loss was a small six line whom I added to my 10g to grow out for a while before graduating to the larger tank :( I work part time at a zoo so loosing an animals always sucks no matter what it is, and I can’t help but blame myself or think I should’ve/could’ve done more. My leading hypothesis atm is that I’m not acclimating my fish long enough which is sending into shock and ultimately killing them, I usually drip acclimate for about 45-60 min depending on the species but I’m starting to think this might not be long enough, even though I’ve pretty much done this forever with no problems. If you’ve read this far, thank you, I would appreciate words of advice and encouragement. It might just be bad luck but if anyone has had a similar problem or knows of things I may be doing wrong to cause this please let me know! It’s been quite a burden in what I try to make a fun hobby for myself, especially when feeling as if I am “wasting” fish’s lives and ultimately money too. I hope this reaches the right people, thanks.

So strange fish can withstand a lot . Is there a bully in the Tank ? Its the only thing I can think of for such quick deaths you don't mention odd behavior at all . Try sneaking up on the tank at night and just listen for odd noises . I was sitting at my Computor once which is 10 feet away from my tank . Heard this load splashing . Since I had lids I was not too concerned also it was early and dark . When it got light my diamond Goby was on the floor. It is a bottom fish and my vicious Tang still chased it out.I have also seen fish butting others to death right in front of me . I introduced it to John

 

[allenk4]

Are you checking the salinity of the water they are in from the LFS. In my experience a lot of LFS run salinity on the lower side. If you’re running 1.025-1.026, and the store is 1.019 or 1.018 or even lower that shock could be doing it if they’re not acclimated properly.

When I’m buying fish I always ask the store to check the tank they came out of, and I check it again when I get home. If it’s super low my drip is done of the course of hours.

"Mild drops (e.g., 1.025 to 1.020): Often well-tolerated and can temporarily relieve stress on the fish's kidneys, as they have to drink less and expend less energy to filter salt."

It’s my understanding that Salinity is rarely the culprit and Ammonia is much more likely doing the damage.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

"Mild drops (e.g., 1.025 to 1.020): Often well-tolerated and can temporarily relieve stress on the fish's kidneys, as they have to drink less and expend less energy to filter salt."

It’s my understanding that Salinity is rarely the culprit and Ammonia is much more likely doing the damage.

I don't think thats right, but lets ask the #fishmedics , I am curious.

 

[Tangdora]

your tanks are very small and there for
More prone to parameter swings. I’m curious , How consistent are your temps. Is the tank in a ac control room or anything like that to stabilize it or are you relying on ambient air temps. Here in tri state this last month for example we have had some crazy temps swings over the course of day. Like 30-40 degree.

 

[christinna77]

"Mild drops (e.g., 1.025 to 1.020): Often well-tolerated and can temporarily relieve stress on the fish's kidneys, as they have to drink less and expend less energy to filter salt."

It’s my understanding that Salinity is rarely the culprit and Ammonia is much more likely doing the damage.

Mild drop in salinity is fine, yes, but raising salinity must be done slowly, which is what's happening if you bring fish from a store that keeps it in lower salinity, and your tank is much higher.

 

[Peer.Boerner]

Firstly, very sorry about your losses! This hobby can be a cruel teacher. So try to remind yourself that every setback should be a learning experience. I didn’t read every word of your post, so forgive me if you’re doing all of this. Invest in a refractometer or hydrometer and make sure your salinity is 1.025. Invest in a pH and Ammonia test kit and make sure your pH is 7.8 or more and Ammonia is 0. Make sure you’ve got some gas exchange going on (protein skimmer, power head rippling the surface, air stone?). Run activated carbon appropriate for your tank size (check the directions). I can’t help wonder if a parameter is unexpectedly out of whack. No matter, stick with it and you will succeed.