dying fish

[ddacus]

I need help, please? I moved approx 9 months ago and didn't loose a fish. I have a 40 gallon Eclipse III tall tank. I rountinly check my water and have had the tank operating for 4 years with no problems. about 2 months ago. I lost a "cleaner shrimp" I had him for about 2 years. Then two weeks ago. I lost a "fire dart fish" I had owned him approx 3.5 years. This week, I lost a six line wrasse. I had her since I started this tank. The newest thing I have done is add a "porcupine puffer". The procupine and a few false percula's are doing fine. I don't know what happend to any of the fish. I found the "fire dart fish" floating. Performed a 25% water change and nothing. ( he was not eaten by the other fish). Wednesday evening the six strip didn' not eat and stayed inside the rocks. One Thursday I founder her with the lower half of her body ( entire tail fin) gone. She was still trying to swim. I have rechecked my water and I don't see anything wrong. Could the puffer have killed them or maybe just stress?
any ideas? Thank you

 

[Mike612]

40 gallons is too small for the Porcupine Puffer. They're predators and as such give off a lot of waste. The more waste it gives off, the more polluted your water becomes. Also, puffers can be a little aggressive. The less room they have to swim, the more aggressive they are. Porcupine Puffers need over 100 gallons. I suggest removing him. On top of that, puffers are known to be shrimp eaters. Since you didn't mention whether or not you found a body, I'm assuming that it's because the puffer ate it. It probably harassed the firefish too since firefish are very docile fish. Predators take advantage in situations like that and attack the small, peaceful fish. Bring him back to your lfs and I suggest you do some more reading before you start replacing your fish.

 

[Anonymous]

You've maxed out your tank. Too many inhabitants for such a small tank.

 

[Anonymous]

ddacus,

:welcome:

Sorry that you have had trouble, but I have to agree with the above posts. The puffer is not really suitable for a tank that size, and they are hard on the other inhabitants. How many is "a few false percs"? It seems like you have a lot of fish in a small tank. Besides having too much bioload, a crowded tank causes stress which weakens fish.