Help with Cardinal

RyanMcLaughlin · 01/28/2008, 02:29 AM

I just bought a Bangaii Cardinal and Ocellaris Clown. I floated them for about 15 min. then drip acclimated them for about 2 hours. They clown is fine but the cardinal is at the surface facing up. He will swim around for a while and then go back to the surface. He doesnt seem to be breathing fast and dont think it is lack of Oxygen. I have a filter for surface agitation and a Coralife 125 Skimmer running. Could he be hungry, just acclimating, etc.
Thanks,
Ryan

RyanMcLaughlin · 01/28/2008, 03:08 AM

Well now he is just laying on the sand. I guess he is dying. I dont know why, all my params checked out. Any advice would be appreciated. On the other hand my clown seems to be doing fine. He is just swimming around merrily.
Salinity 1.022
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 25
Ammonia 0
Temp 82

RyanMcLaughlin · 01/28/2008, 03:19 AM

and hes dead. I feel so bad. I wonder if he was just sick in the store and I picked the bad one.

rbtwo4 · 01/28/2008, 05:33 AM

2 things. I'd get the salinity level up to 1.025 to 1.026 and those nitrates being at 25 could be the main reason. Nitrates should read 0.

mwwhite · 01/28/2008, 06:13 AM

awww. Was the Bangaii wild caught or tank raised? We went through two wild caught before we found out how they are caught and very few survive. We have now had a tank raised for almost a year and he's big and fat.

Sorry for your loss. Makes you feel awful doesn't it?

good luck

bmk · 01/28/2008, 06:19 AM

Hi
How old is the tank, you state in your signiture that it is still 'cycling'.

Barry

RyanMcLaughlin · 01/28/2008, 09:28 AM

No, Its about 5 weeks old. I read that Nitrates around 50 can be ok for just fish but lower the better. I think it must just be it was sick in the store. Because the clown couldnt be doing better. He is just out and swimming about.

Norward · 01/28/2008, 11:30 AM

Sorry about the Bangai. Agree with above: while it may not have killed the fish, get the SG up a little and the nitrates down before adding the next one. If you are going for pairs, adding in pairs is better than separate. Also, now that you have one in there, quarantine future additions. Good luck!

01/28/2008, 02:29 AM	#1
RyanMcLaughlin Moved On Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Anaheim Posts: 982	Help with Cardinal I just bought a Bangaii Cardinal and Ocellaris Clown. I floated them for about 15 min. then drip acclimated them for about 2 hours. They clown is fine but the cardinal is at the surface facing up. He will swim around for a while and then go back to the surface. He doesnt seem to be breathing fast and dont think it is lack of Oxygen. I have a filter for surface agitation and a Coralife 125 Skimmer running. Could he be hungry, just acclimating, etc. Thanks, Ryan

01/28/2008, 05:33 AM	#4
rbtwo4 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: NY Posts: 747	2 things. I'd get the salinity level up to 1.025 to 1.026 and those nitrates being at 25 could be the main reason. Nitrates should read 0. __________________ I am completely ADDICTED!!!! Current Tank Info: 30G Rimless Deep Blue, AI Sol, 120 SWC Skimmer, Apex controller, MP10

01/28/2008, 03:08 AM	#2
RyanMcLaughlin Moved On Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Anaheim Posts: 982	Well now he is just laying on the sand. I guess he is dying. I dont know why, all my params checked out. Any advice would be appreciated. On the other hand my clown seems to be doing fine. He is just swimming around merrily. Salinity 1.022 Nitrite 0 Nitrate 25 Ammonia 0 Temp 82

01/28/2008, 03:19 AM	#3
RyanMcLaughlin Moved On Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Anaheim Posts: 982	and hes dead. I feel so bad. I wonder if he was just sick in the store and I picked the bad one.

01/28/2008, 06:13 AM	#5
mwwhite Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Land O Lakes, FL Posts: 690	awww. Was the Bangaii wild caught or tank raised? We went through two wild caught before we found out how they are caught and very few survive. We have now had a tank raised for almost a year and he's big and fat. Sorry for your loss. Makes you feel awful doesn't it? good luck

01/28/2008, 06:19 AM	#6
bmk Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: England Posts: 278	Hi How old is the tank, you state in your signiture that it is still 'cycling'. Barry

01/28/2008, 09:28 AM	#7
RyanMcLaughlin Moved On Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Anaheim Posts: 982	No, Its about 5 weeks old. I read that Nitrates around 50 can be ok for just fish but lower the better. I think it must just be it was sick in the store. Because the clown couldnt be doing better. He is just out and swimming about.

01/28/2008, 11:30 AM	#8
Norward Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Little Rock Posts: 407	Sorry about the Bangai. Agree with above: while it may not have killed the fish, get the SG up a little and the nitrates down before adding the next one. If you are going for pairs, adding in pairs is better than separate. Also, now that you have one in there, quarantine future additions. Good luck!