Sweetlip

[sillyfishy]

The sweetlip died today. I got him on Saturday and everything seemed fine, he has been eating the mysis and swimming all over. He was fine last night when I feed. He was my new favorite fish :( Our Naso tang died too on Saturday night, I got him about 3-4 weeks ago. Everything else in our tank seems fine, corals and other fish. Every new fish I buy seems to die :confused:.
I have had the same clowns and royal gramma for years. I don't know what is going on. I have spent hundreds in fish over the past few months and things just keep dying. I have tested the water and everything is normal, I do my water changes every other week. Any words of advice or encouragement? I feel like I should stop buying fish because they are just going to die in my tank! I hate flushing them, it's heartbreaking.
Thanks Lisa

[Jim Tansey]

Lisa,

What size is the tank? Both the Sweetlip and Naso require lager tanks as I'm sure you are aware. The first couple of weeks after introduction of a new fish are always the the hardest, seems like if they get by that they are going to be ok.

Good Luck,

Jim

[sillyfishy]

The tank is a 90, I set it up so most of the rock is against the back with lots of open room for swimming. and lots of hiding places and caves in the rock.

[ReeferMedic]

Neither of those fish would survive a 90 long term. The naso get in excess of 18" and the sweetlips can get in excess of 24"!!

[sillyfishy]

I found out about the sweetlip after(the guy at Jay's said he'd be happy in the 90) I would have kept him as long as I could then found a new home for him, the Naso I had read in a few places 90 was the min.
But that still doesn't explain all the other fish, chromis, keyhole angel, damsels and a fwe others...

[Jim Tansey]

Lisa,

You are correct that the tank size, in the short term, likely plays no role in the death of the fish, have you had the water checked at a LFS? The fact that you have supported other fish over a period indicates it can't be to bad, what is your pH?

Jim

[jamesdong009]

Have you quarantined any of these new fish? I usually keep mine in QT for 4-6 weeks before they go into the display.

[sillyfishy]

My ph is 8.2 I believe, I test my water every Sat. and keep it in a notebook. Everything has been fine. I have not QTed them, I don't have the space to set up another tank. I belive the Naso was there for 2 weeks (ish) before I bought him. The sweetlip, not so long. The both looked very healthy and ate well. I always make sure there are no dead or ill looking fish in the tanks when I buy if so I just wait till next time.

[Qwank]

maybe the clowns and gamma are killing the new fish?

[Kevin McG]

Is that the gamma you got from me? if so that was a Brazilian gamma and not a royal, they are pretty aggressive compared to the royal's.

[sillyfishy]

No Kevin I thing I got him from Tropical Isle about 5 years ago... I don't think either are aggressive enough to do that kind of harm. The was no sign of damage to either fish.
On a happier note ... I did get an anemone from you Kevin and its doing great!

[Kevin McG]

On a happier note ... I did get an anemone from you Kevin and its doing great!

Ah that's right, I forgot who got what when things were flying out the door during the breakdown :(

[gregsreef26]

if its any help, swetlips have a very poor survival rate in aquariums. One of those fish that should be left on the reef. Possibly internal parasites or cyanide poisoning? Sorry can't be of more help.

[sillyfishy]

Thanks for all the feedback. It's too bad, I wish I had snapped a pic of him. He was really a cool fish.

[ElvishFrost]

Could it be something in your acclimation process?

[Jay's Aquatics]

See me when you come in and we'll try and make it right, figure out whats up. bring a water sample. I'll try and get you another one next week.

[sillyfishy]

I just saw your post. We should be in around the begining of March for supplies.
Thanks =)