Need help keeping new fish alive.

[hummer]

Not sure why but all the new fish I buy die within 3-4 weeks. I've tested the water and nothing seems wrong. I acclimate new fish using the guidelines on the JL site. I have a 90Gal tank w/ 33Gal sump holding 4 clowns, 1 blue damsel, 2 cardinals and 1 blue tang. The blue tang is about 3-4". The latest fish that died was a 3" salfin tang and a 2" rabbitfish. Nothing seems to bother the old fish though. Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks

[dkcrx]

are the new arivals getting enough to eat? common problem with new fish, they don't know the feeding drill and can't compete with the established livestock. Other idea, are the new ones getting picked on?

[Myka]

Your tank is not big enough to have more than one Tang, especially not a Sailfin Tang. Sailfins grow very big very fast, and need a lot of swimming space. They need a 200g tank.

Have the new fish been eating? Are they getting picked on? Do they just hide? 3-4 weeks sounds more like it is a problem with the fish like internal parasites or collection with cyanide or something like that. How many fish have you lost like this? What other types of fish?

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Can we get a bit more info on the system?

How much LR? Skimmer? Water parameters?

Is there or has been ich in the tank?

As much of the history of the tank that you can honestly think of. Something may come up...otherwise it could be a million different things.

It can be so hard to figure these kinds of sudden deaths out without more info.

[hummer]

Thanks for the replies. I watch them eat all the time and they seem to be getting enough food. They are a lot faster than the other fish. I don't see anyone pick on them. They are bigger than all the other fish except the blue tang which is about the same size.
The blue tang was the last fish I got that has survived. I got him 3 years ago. 9 months ago I bought a new 90Gal w/ 33Gal sump. Previously i had a 77Gal.
Live Rock: 50-60lbs.
Skimmer: Euro-Reef RS100
Phosban reactor with carbon.
The system never had Ick or any other disease. Except the blue tang has lateral line.
pH: 8.2
Ammonia: 0.05
Nitrate: 0
Nitrite: 0
Calcium: 400
Magnesium: 1305
Alkalinity: 177
KH: 4.9
Salinity: 1.025
Temp: 25-26 celcius
Fish that have died in the last 3 years within 1 month of getting them (purchased from 3 different fish stores):
2 watchman golby, 5 blue/green chromis, 3 firefish, blenny, raccoon butterfly, threadfin butterfly, salfin tang and a rabbitfish.

[3MTA3]

Originally Posted by Myka

Your tank is not big enough to have more than one Tang, especially not a Sailfin Tang. Sailfins grow very big very fast, and need a lot of swimming space. They need a 200g tank.

Have the new fish been eating? Are they getting picked on? Do they just hide? 3-4 weeks sounds more like it is a problem with the fish like internal parasites or collection with cyanide or something like that. How many fish have you lost like this? What other types of fish?

This is the wrong way to answer a posted question....and not offering anything that can be checked but are offering critisism.

Originally Posted by GreenSpottedPuffer

Can we get a bit more info on the system?

How much LR? Skimmer? Water parameters?

Is there or has been ich in the tank?

As much of the history of the tank that you can honestly think of. Something may come up...otherwise it could be a million different things.

It can be so hard to figure these kinds of sudden deaths out without more info.

This is the correct way to answer a question of need!!! kudos to you GSP.

Maybe with some of these answers the kind people of this forum might be able to help you out. Should I be able to offer any HELPFUL information as this thread grows I will be sure to add in

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Originally Posted by hummer

Thanks for the replies. I watch them eat all the time and they seem to be getting enough food. They are a lot faster than the other fish. I don't see anyone pick on them. They are bigger than all the other fish except the blue tang which is about the same size.
The blue tang was the last fish I got that has survived. I got him 3 years ago. 9 months ago I bought a new 90Gal w/ 33Gal sump. Previously i had a 77Gal.
Live Rock: 50-60lbs.
Skimmer: Euro-Reef RS100
Phosban reactor with carbon.
The system never had Ick or any other disease. Except the blue tang has lateral line.
pH: 8.2
Ammonia: 0.05
Nitrate: 0
Nitrite: 0
Calcium: 400
Magnesium: 1305
Alkalinity: 177
KH: 4.9
Salinity: 1.025
Temp: 25-26 celcius
Fish that have died in the last 3 years within 1 month of getting them (purchased from 3 different fish stores):
2 watchman golby, 5 blue/green chromis, 3 firefish, blenny, raccoon butterfly, threadfin butterfly, salfin tang and a rabbitfish.

Ok this is good info to start with.

My first concern is that you get an ammonia reading. Although very low and shouldn't be toxic, but that worries me. Can you double check that?

If you are getting some ammonia with your current fishload, you may be getting spikes when adding new fish. BUT, why would only the new fish be effected and die? Doesn't really make sense.

If you are getting some ammonia, double check the flow in the tank and make sure detritus is not building up anywhere. You are on the lower side for LR as well (I run my tanks the same way) which is fine but perhaps adding a few more pieces of cured LR might add enough bacteria to get rid of that ammonia.

Having said all that, I don't think thats the problem.

Do you see any stress to the new fish caused by the old ones? Does the Tang bully new fish?

Oh and by the way, for that lateral line, make sure you feed that tangs lots of nori and vitamin soaked foods. They can recover from this with some time and care. Don't know how long he has had it but it can/will get better.

Keep adding more and more info about your tank as it comes to mind. Even if you think its silly, something may come up.

I hope things turn around for you...its a weird situation that only new fish die