Unexplained fish deaths - any ideas?

kaz1961 · 02/06/2017, 09:29 AM

I have had three mysterious deaths in the past few weeks. The tank is a 150 high with a 30 gal display refugium and a 40 breeder sump. Parameters are sg .024, ammonia 0, nitrite 0, nitrate less than 5, calcium 380, phosphate less than .25, ph 8.0, Alk 10. About two weeks ago I had a Racoon that was in the tank for about two months die. About a week later a Flame Angel who I had for about a month died. This morning a Skunk Clown that I have had for at least 3 months was dead. All three fish were eating well and looked fine the night before they died then they were dead on the bottom the next morning. Current stock list:
4-5" Queen Angel
Coral Beauty
Falco Hawk
Flame Hawk
Spotted Hawk
Matted Filefish
2 PJ Cardinals
2 Ocellaris Clowns
CUC - CB shrimp, Fire Shrimp, Peppermint Shrimp, assorted snails, green crab, couple of small hermits. Refugium has about 5 different types of Macro algae, 1 Gorgonian, assorted Mushrooms, a small finger leather frag and a few one or two poply zoas.
I change filter socks every two days, 25 gallon water change every Saturday using I/O salt and R/O water, Reef Octopus skimmer running 24/7. Tank has been setup for almost a year and my maintenance schedule hasnt changed. My Wife is convinced that some foreign substance is poisoning the fish. I tend to think not because its only three fish and they died weeks apart. Wouldnt poison or soap residue etc kill the inverts before the fish? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

McPuff · 02/06/2017, 09:43 AM

Are you QTing and treating the fish at all before adding to your display tank? It's possible they came in with something that festered and eventually killed the fish.

Gone Tidepoolin · 02/06/2017, 10:58 AM

+1 in the QT.
How big and aggressive are the hawkish?

kaz1961 · 02/06/2017, 01:34 PM

No didnt QT the latest addition which was the Flame Angel. I did treat the tank that he and the Raccoon were in with Prazipro when I added him. Hawkfish are small, all three are each less than 2 inches and just lay around on the rock and never seem to bother anyone.

Dmorty217 · 02/07/2017, 07:47 AM

Do any of these fish that died hang out in one spot or stop eating before hand?

scooter31707 · 02/09/2017, 11:55 AM

Now that look at your tank size, you might want to keep an eye out on that Queen Angel. All the fish that die could have been a threat. IME, I have had some good and bad luck with angel and butterflies together. It definitely could have seen that dwarf angel as a threat. All in all, I agree with the others ^^^, quarantine is key and I would start looking at some possible parasite.

02/06/2017, 09:29 AM	#1
kaz1961 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 191	Unexplained fish deaths - any ideas? I have had three mysterious deaths in the past few weeks. The tank is a 150 high with a 30 gal display refugium and a 40 breeder sump. Parameters are sg .024, ammonia 0, nitrite 0, nitrate less than 5, calcium 380, phosphate less than .25, ph 8.0, Alk 10. About two weeks ago I had a Racoon that was in the tank for about two months die. About a week later a Flame Angel who I had for about a month died. This morning a Skunk Clown that I have had for at least 3 months was dead. All three fish were eating well and looked fine the night before they died then they were dead on the bottom the next morning. Current stock list: 4-5" Queen Angel Coral Beauty Falco Hawk Flame Hawk Spotted Hawk Matted Filefish 2 PJ Cardinals 2 Ocellaris Clowns CUC - CB shrimp, Fire Shrimp, Peppermint Shrimp, assorted snails, green crab, couple of small hermits. Refugium has about 5 different types of Macro algae, 1 Gorgonian, assorted Mushrooms, a small finger leather frag and a few one or two poply zoas. I change filter socks every two days, 25 gallon water change every Saturday using I/O salt and R/O water, Reef Octopus skimmer running 24/7. Tank has been setup for almost a year and my maintenance schedule hasnt changed. My Wife is convinced that some foreign substance is poisoning the fish. I tend to think not because its only three fish and they died weeks apart. Wouldnt poison or soap residue etc kill the inverts before the fish? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

02/07/2017, 07:47 AM	#5
Dmorty217 Saltwater Addict Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Vandalia OHIO Posts: 11,624	Do any of these fish that died hang out in one spot or stop eating before hand? __________________ Fish are not disposable commodities, but a worthwhile investment that can be maintained and enjoyed for many years, providing one is willing to take the time to understand their requirements and needs Current Tank Info: 625g, 220g sump, RD3 230w, Vectra L1 on a closed loop, 3 MP60s, MP40. Several QTs

02/06/2017, 09:43 AM	#2
McPuff Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,735	Are you QTing and treating the fish at all before adding to your display tank? It's possible they came in with something that festered and eventually killed the fish.

02/06/2017, 10:58 AM	#3
Gone Tidepoolin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Sutter Creek, Ca Posts: 118	+1 in the QT. How big and aggressive are the hawkish?

02/06/2017, 01:34 PM	#4
kaz1961 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 191	No didnt QT the latest addition which was the Flame Angel. I did treat the tank that he and the Raccoon were in with Prazipro when I added him. Hawkfish are small, all three are each less than 2 inches and just lay around on the rock and never seem to bother anyone.

02/09/2017, 11:55 AM	#6
scooter31707 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Virginia Posts: 4,971	Now that look at your tank size, you might want to keep an eye out on that Queen Angel. All the fish that die could have been a threat. IME, I have had some good and bad luck with angel and butterflies together. It definitely could have seen that dwarf angel as a threat. All in all, I agree with the others ^^^, quarantine is key and I would start looking at some possible parasite.