Long time lurker, but first post ;-). Quick Intro, I’ve had reefs and FOWLR’s since 2005 and recently (3 months) setup a Waterbox 130. I’ve got a 40 breeder for quarantine running a Hydor canister and a Seachem ammonia alert with an old reefbreeder lux light. The canister was seeded with marine pure spheres from my DT and I used Tim’s as well.
I’ve been QT’ing a Purple Tang and Midas Blenny for two weeks with no issues, both were eating, swimming and showed no signs of parasites. I have been treating with SeaChem ParaGuard and StressGuard. Saturday morning I woke up to both on their sides breathing extremely hard and non responsive. I figured the ammonia alert must have gone bad and was reading wrong. I tested the water and it showed zero ammonia (Red Sea test kit), tested PH (Hannah checker and Red Sea Kit) both showed 8.0 - 8.2, temp was 76, and salinity 1.025. That’s all I tested for since that’s all I could of think would kill them that quickly (besides a parasite). I did a 20 gallon water change and started the initial dose of cupramine Saturday afternoon and both are much improved. The Tang is swimming and the blenny is at least upright and hanging in there. Neither is eating though. I’ve tried pellets, Mysis and the marine Pro with Selcon and garlic. I have also added an MJ1200 with an airline in case this was an O2 issue as well.
I’m wondering if anyone has thoughts on why this happened and is the not eating normal while they are exposed to copper? All this time and this is the first time I’ve ever had to use it. I’m also used to the “sometimes fish just die in this hobby”, but curious as to others thoughts and if I should test for anything else?
Thanks!
Zach
I’ve been QT’ing a Purple Tang and Midas Blenny for two weeks with no issues, both were eating, swimming and showed no signs of parasites. I have been treating with SeaChem ParaGuard and StressGuard. Saturday morning I woke up to both on their sides breathing extremely hard and non responsive. I figured the ammonia alert must have gone bad and was reading wrong. I tested the water and it showed zero ammonia (Red Sea test kit), tested PH (Hannah checker and Red Sea Kit) both showed 8.0 - 8.2, temp was 76, and salinity 1.025. That’s all I tested for since that’s all I could of think would kill them that quickly (besides a parasite). I did a 20 gallon water change and started the initial dose of cupramine Saturday afternoon and both are much improved. The Tang is swimming and the blenny is at least upright and hanging in there. Neither is eating though. I’ve tried pellets, Mysis and the marine Pro with Selcon and garlic. I have also added an MJ1200 with an airline in case this was an O2 issue as well.
I’m wondering if anyone has thoughts on why this happened and is the not eating normal while they are exposed to copper? All this time and this is the first time I’ve ever had to use it. I’m also used to the “sometimes fish just die in this hobby”, but curious as to others thoughts and if I should test for anything else?
Thanks!
Zach
