Greetings and a question regarding deaths while adding new fish.

[ReefDruid]

Thanks for the response.

I only live a few minutes away from the LFS, and the fish are only in the bags maybe 30 minutes tops (very liberal estimate). As a contrast, fish are in the bags for more than 1.5 hours when I travel to pick fish up at another source further away. No issues (except the pygmy angel, same thing happened).

When I put them in the acclimation container it is heated and aerated. The alk. 7-11 varies between tanks and depends on water changes etc.

I should also note, that I have acclimated more than just the clowns in the container at the same time. Everyone else is just fine, but the clown always dies. I get other fish, or tank raised clowns, and no issues whatsoever.

[Proteus]

Are the fish feeding at the lfs. And how long have they been in their tank.
I dont know much about clowns but could be aggression from your existing. Clown

[ReefDruid]

Thanks again for replying.

The first and second clowns I purchased had both been at the LFS for some time (according to the proprietor), on the order of more than a month. The pygmy angel apparently had also been around for some time. The third clown was new to the tank, only having arrived a couple days before.

As for aggression, the female clown is amazingly gentle. In fact the most gentle thing in the tank besides the snails. No aggression observed, and I have been steadily observing. Also, the third clown was added to the 40B with only the bi-colour blenny.

Is it possible that extreme stress could have caused these conditions? I mean I know anything is possible, but does it often result in a fatality?

[kien]

You said, "each time.." Exactly how many times have you tried purchasing a wild maroon?

One thing that could be a factor is the method that was used to capture wild fish. I believe cyanide is still used sometimes. If so, it could be bad luck for you (and the fish) if it was caught using cyanide.

[ReefDruid]

In post 5 I mentioned 3 clowns. I appreciate the input, I am uncertain of the capture method. I would have to be real unlucky though, as the pygmy angel came from another source.

My inverts, pods and other livestock are thriving. I can't for the life of me figure out what I am doing wrong. I use RODI water, and have even added additional water conditioner after the second death just in case it was something in the water still. Same reason I am running C.

[Myka]

Fwiw, API are perfectly fine test kits. I have found them to give very similar readings to Salifert and Elos.

The description of the dying fish makes me think that the fish either had Brooklynella or Marine Velvet. It would be odd though if the new fish did not pass this on to any of the existing fish. Wild Clownfish are very susceptible to both of these diseases as are Pigmy Angelfish to a bit lesser degree.

I suggest setting up a quarantine tank for new fish so that there is much less risk of a new fish introducing a pathogen. Both Brooklynella and Marine Velvet tend to be VERY contagious.

I also suggest buying captive bred fish whenever possible. In my opinion, there is absolutely no reason for a hobbyist to be buying wild caught Clownfish when they are mass produced as captive bred. You are likely to have much better luck with a captive bred fish.

[reefwars]

My suggestion would be to check the pH of the bags that the fish are in a sudden drop in pH will result in heavy breathing and often fatality Simply dripping is often not good enough