Dead Fish!

kevinfa · 08/27/2009, 06:03 PM

Hey Guys,

I have started a marine aquarium about 2 months ago. start with live sand , then a week after live rock and everyweek or so I have tested the water and I was told everything is normal I have 2 fighting conch, 5 hermit crab and 3 snails. live rocks were cured and they came with a starfish the size of penny or a bit smaller and a crab. to make the long story short I add a clownfish, 2 damsels and 1 regal tang. yesterday I found my clownfish dead and was eaten by hermit crabs, today the same happened to my damsel. what should I do to find out why fish are dead? Is it possible that hermit crabs attacked my fish?

By the way I have 14 gallon Biocube. with around 12lbs cured live rocks and all the standard filters and,...

I appreciate it if you guys help me.

Fish'R'Friends7 · 08/27/2009, 06:11 PM

My goodness. 14 gallons? Regal tang? The clownfish and the damsel probably killed themselves!

That tank is WAY to small for a regal tang. I can only imagine the stress the fish are enduring being that cramped . You should have probably just added the clownfish and the clean up crew.

Where are you getting your info and guidance from prior to coming here? You NEED to look elsewhere.

kevinfa · 08/27/2009, 06:14 PM

ok, I am kind of embarrassed now. I didn't think about the type of fish really. Now that I have to start over what kind of fish and how many can I add , so at least look like a nice marine tank, I also like to add corals later when it is stable enough. any ideas?

Fish'R'Friends7 · 08/27/2009, 06:25 PM

I didnt mean to be harsh. I should have put myself in your shoes. Not that long ago I was standing at petco picking out stuff for my first saltwater tank. Again I'm sorry.

For a 14 gallon, you really are limited as far as fish are concerned. For sure you can add 1 clownfish and maybe 2, maybe, but I would like someone to confirm that.

Green Chromis are pretty hardy, well mannered and cheap. a few of those might be ok.

I would stay away from damsels all together, with the exception of the Green Chromis. I just have never heard of someone with damsels in a tank who was happy with them. They are pretty agressive.

Best advice. Find a store that specializes in Fish. Not a conglomerate like petco or petsmart... Explain to the guy who owns the store what you would like to do and where you are at. They will make sure you get set up with a healthy and appealing tank. Good luck.

kevinfa · 08/27/2009, 06:29 PM

thanks a lot, appreciate you info. I buy everything from Big Al's which all they have are fish and some reptiles, so i guess they know a lot about fish. I just wanted to have a cool marine tank

Fish'R'Friends7 · 08/27/2009, 06:30 PM

It is a great hobby. Take you time though. There is no rush, and great things com to those who wait.

08/27/2009, 06:03 PM	#1
kevinfa Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 80	Dead Fish! Hey Guys, I have started a marine aquarium about 2 months ago. start with live sand , then a week after live rock and everyweek or so I have tested the water and I was told everything is normal I have 2 fighting conch, 5 hermit crab and 3 snails. live rocks were cured and they came with a starfish the size of penny or a bit smaller and a crab. to make the long story short I add a clownfish, 2 damsels and 1 regal tang. yesterday I found my clownfish dead and was eaten by hermit crabs, today the same happened to my damsel. what should I do to find out why fish are dead? Is it possible that hermit crabs attacked my fish? By the way I have 14 gallon Biocube. with around 12lbs cured live rocks and all the standard filters and,... I appreciate it if you guys help me.

08/27/2009, 06:11 PM	#2
Fish'R'Friends7 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Minnesota Posts: 30	My goodness. 14 gallons? Regal tang? The clownfish and the damsel probably killed themselves! That tank is WAY to small for a regal tang. I can only imagine the stress the fish are enduring being that cramped . You should have probably just added the clownfish and the clean up crew. Where are you getting your info and guidance from prior to coming here? You NEED to look elsewhere. __________________ -Kyle Current Tank Info: 90Gallon Bowfront, 30 gallon long Sump/Fuge.

08/27/2009, 06:25 PM	#4
Fish'R'Friends7 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Minnesota Posts: 30	I didnt mean to be harsh. I should have put myself in your shoes. Not that long ago I was standing at petco picking out stuff for my first saltwater tank. Again I'm sorry. For a 14 gallon, you really are limited as far as fish are concerned. For sure you can add 1 clownfish and maybe 2, maybe, but I would like someone to confirm that. Green Chromis are pretty hardy, well mannered and cheap. a few of those might be ok. I would stay away from damsels all together, with the exception of the Green Chromis. I just have never heard of someone with damsels in a tank who was happy with them. They are pretty agressive. Best advice. Find a store that specializes in Fish. Not a conglomerate like petco or petsmart... Explain to the guy who owns the store what you would like to do and where you are at. They will make sure you get set up with a healthy and appealing tank. Good luck. __________________ -Kyle Current Tank Info: 90Gallon Bowfront, 30 gallon long Sump/Fuge.

08/27/2009, 06:30 PM	#6
Fish'R'Friends7 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Minnesota Posts: 30	It is a great hobby. Take you time though. There is no rush, and great things com to those who wait. __________________ -Kyle Current Tank Info: 90Gallon Bowfront, 30 gallon long Sump/Fuge.

08/27/2009, 06:14 PM	#3
kevinfa Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 80	ok, I am kind of embarrassed now. I didn't think about the type of fish really. Now that I have to start over what kind of fish and how many can I add , so at least look like a nice marine tank, I also like to add corals later when it is stable enough. any ideas?

08/27/2009, 06:29 PM	#5
kevinfa Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 80	thanks a lot, appreciate you info. I buy everything from Big Al's which all they have are fish and some reptiles, so i guess they know a lot about fish. I just wanted to have a cool marine tank