Mandarin died, why...

[twiggyb]

As I was moving some rock around, I noticed my mandarin was stuck to the drain. I don't know why he died. He was nice and plump. I'm not sure if it has to do with the alk spike I had. I can't imagine he would have starved so quickly if that was the case as I haven't seen much pod activity up top, compared to my sump. Either that, or I think my male lyertail had bullied him into hiding, because he hasn't been out as much lately. I just tested the water: A:0, N:5-10, ph:7.8-8, alk 11-12, calcium: 370-380. Not sure about the phosphate since I only have an api test kit for that. Also, my softies haven't been looking so well. I don't know if this has to do with the mandarins slime getting sucked up and spit out back into the tank, but the sps corals have been doing fine. I need to replace my carbon, it's been a while. Anyone have any thoughts as to why he ended up dying and why my softies aren't doing well? The gorgonians seem fine, it's just one gorg and my neon green finger that aren't looking good. Here's a pic of the mandarin when I pulled him out, he was super slimy and very noxious smelling (don't know if I spelt that right)

[twiggyb]

oops, forgot pic




Also, my emerald crab died yesterday too. ??? He may have starved though, not too sure.

[trottman]

How long did you have him in your tank?

[twiggyb]

He was in there four about 4 or 5 months.

[trottman]

Most likely then not he probably died from nutritional issues due to the short lived time period. I bought a mandarin 5 or six years ago and he died within several months just like yours. I bought another one four years ago and it has been alive and well ever since. Probably just the fish / or lack of food.

[twiggyb]

Plenty-o-food for him. Though the amphipods population up top died down a bit after my alk swing, but I can't imagine him starving to death in a couple weeks when others starve to death in a few months. There is still food to be eaten for him in there. Idk....