Cause of Death Determination

[Lostoften]

Just did a large 15gallon change. Will double check copper levels after a work call here. I’m checking copper using Hanna checker. Only concern is getting the powder out of the foil packets. However, it’s the same setup as their phosphate. Tap the corners and make a “v” in the middle and pour carefully.

As for air toxins, if the fish are breathing them so are we.

 

[Lostoften]

The copper is at 2.5, this is the fourth day the copper has been right near 2.5. Could this copper level be too high for the wrasse? I am using Coppersafe

 

[Jay Hemdal]

The copper is at 2.5, this is the fourth day the copper has been right near 2.5. Could this copper level be too high for the wrasse? I am using Coppersafe

No - not unless there is some other stressor. I’ve dosed hundreds of wrasse with Coppersafe with no acute issues.

 

[Lostoften]

@Jay Hemdal well they are still alive and breathing hard. If they are still alive tomorrow should I try a freshwater dip again? Or treat the QT with Prazi? Do flukes impact fish this quickly?

The fish were swimming normal and eating yesterday. Really thought these guys were going to make it.

 

[Jay Hemdal]

@Jay Hemdal well they are still alive and breathing hard. If they are still alive tomorrow should I try a freshwater dip again? Or treat the QT with Prazi? Do flukes impact fish this quickly?

The fish were swimming normal and eating yesterday. Really thought these guys were going to make it.

I don't think this new issue is flukes - it set in too quickly IMO. It still seems like some weird water quality issue. I guess it could be an acute bacterial disease that copper doesn't handle, but I've not seen that myself, so I'm only guessing....

 

[Lostoften]

Both wrasses didn’t make it through the night. The pace at which they turned was very similar to the clowns and the original tang. Within 24 hours went from acting normal to stopped eating and rapid breathing.

 

[Lostoften]

TBD

 

[Lostoften]

Well unfortunately the blue morph passed today, I’m sure the 1.5 hour power outage didn’t help its fight.

In total, 19 fish lost in 5 months. This is more than the losses from three previous tanks over a span of 15 years.

 

[Lostoften]

@Jay Hemdal Thank you for your support and fellow reefers on this struggle.

As I am planning to not have a repeat of this disaster, your protocol states not to use ammonia binding agents. Watching BRS videos, one was stating that during water changes an increase in PH could shift the ammonia ratio from a safe form to a toxic form and advised using Prime prior to conducting a water change.

Do you think this could have been at play losing the wrasses? Or, more likely whatever underlying disease was present. I never measured an extremely high ammonia level on any of the results.

Looking at adding a couple of clowns, and wrasses to QT this week as I have extra time to monitor.

Appreciate your thoughts and input.