unusual deaths

[tazdevil]

I had purchased 2 royal grammas and placed them in my 20g quarintine tank (prev. housing a small yellowtail damsel to keep from cycling). The tank is filtered with a fluidized bed filter and 1 addtl powerhead for aeration etc. The only decorations are a couple of pvc pipes and 1 "fake" coral piece (artificial-not a natural coral). The 2 grammas died very suddenly and without warning-no signs of distress, eating well etc. The first was 2 days after introd., eratic swimming suddenly devoloped, and he was dead 10 mins later, the 2nd did the same thing 4 days later. The damsel is fine! Any ideas (I aclimated them for approx 1 hour, adding some of the tank water every 15mins). all tank chem looks good, no medications in tank at time. PLease help!

 

[Len]

Sounds like acute poisoning of some sort. What toxin is the question. Needless to say, I wouldn't introduce another fishes for a while - definately not without a massive water change. I actually recommend you getting rid of this QT tank and replacing it with anther (using no parts from this old tank).

The damsel, aside from being hardy, could've developed partial or total tolerance of the toxin if it was a permenant resident of this tank, and if the toxins were somehow slowly introduced. Add anything lately? Feeding different foods or from a different apparatus for your QT tank?

 

[tazdevil]

len- the damsel was in the tank for about 6 wks w/2 other to cycle tank. Left him in to maintain setup, no additives or med/chem added. 3 weeks later, i added the gramma's (the other 2 damsels were in the main tank then). I did start feeding them a prime reef frozen blend, but that was in both tanks, and everyone in main is ok. Btw the other damsel shows no signs of distress. My only possibilities are that i was using a fluidized bed filter-brand new something from that? or the tank itself?? (also new)

 

[Len]

It's possible the silica media in the filter is contaminated. Or the molded plastic. Or the tank. I can't say for sure, and would advise you to change your QT setup if it's not too big a financial burden.

I'm tempted to suggest you try another fish after a massive water change. Of course, some members of the BB will have something to say about animal testing.

 

[tazdevil]

anyone got any ideas?? LFS is saying I must've done something wrong!!