Zella616
New Member
My partner and I are new to the saltwater hobby (he did freshwater aquariums some years back, so he's a bit rusty as well).
We started a nano fluval 13.5g 6 weeks ago, live sand and and live rock, Dr Tim's start up. Did the whole cycle until ammonia and nitrates were clear. We got a juvenile royal gramma basslet, and 5 days later (5 days ago now) a striped orange shrimp goby and a tiger pistol shrimp - also both juveniles.
I know the goby/shrimp decided they liked the cavern the gramma has been hiding in a few days ago, and the goby has driven the gramma out a few times (took about 3 rounds of "why is the gramma in this tiny crevasse??" to figure it out). I'm fairly sure she has an aggression nip on her back that was new yesterday evening. We already planned to switch up the tank to separate them better this weekend, but we're moving that up to this afternoon.
In the meantime, I noticed the gramma had a bit of a shredded side fin a day or so after we got her (So before the others were added). I've been keeping an eye on it, and it suddenly was worse last night. My partner noticed last night that there was white on the fin, and a patch on the back fin as well. He though ick - I went digging hard and suspect fin rot on top of the suspected aggression. No white sand-like spots anywhere, but white patches on fins. I watched the goby during the morning feeding, and I suspect he might have some of the top of his sail on his back as well. No problems with eating right now. I can't say if they are hiding more, since the fish are still newish and skiddish. I have not noticed the gramma flashing (?) Or scraping against rock per se... she does like the tiny crevasse, and she does hide against the rocks.
Tank parameters (just did a very thorough check of *everything*)
Temp - currently 76, typically was 77-78. We're fine-tuning a fan to keep that steadier and bit cooler.
Ammonia alert badge shows safe (under .02), hanna checker however said .08 (it's the first time I used this vs a chem test, is it possible I messed up?)
Nitrite: .3-8 (chemical test), 0-1 (strip test)
Nitrate: 25-50 (chemical), 25-40 (strip)
Ph: 8-8.4 (strip)
Iron: 0 (strip)
Copper: 0 (strip)
Chlorine: 0 (strip)
General hardness: 150-300 (strip)
Total alkalinity: 180 (strip)
Carbon hardness: 40 (strip)
A 50% water changed is already planned for this afternoon as well. The nitrites went up the last few days - it's been holding steady under .3, and closer to .1 before this. We're also fine tuning how much to feed, I suspect he fed a bit too much for a few days when goby/shrimp were added.
I'm adding pictures of both. Gramma has the white on the right side fin, and the top of her back fin. Goby I've only noticed on the top of his sail, but he's more elusive to see more of his body. At least he holds still better for pictures!
What would be the treatment here? We don't have a quarantine tank, nor the means to buy and set one up. We literally were discussing a second tank a few days ago, and an hour later my partners truck broke - we're looking at thousands to fix. So please be kind about the lack of QT/medical tank, this was a huge unexpected financial set back.
Thank you! I have videos as well if those are needed.
We started a nano fluval 13.5g 6 weeks ago, live sand and and live rock, Dr Tim's start up. Did the whole cycle until ammonia and nitrates were clear. We got a juvenile royal gramma basslet, and 5 days later (5 days ago now) a striped orange shrimp goby and a tiger pistol shrimp - also both juveniles.
I know the goby/shrimp decided they liked the cavern the gramma has been hiding in a few days ago, and the goby has driven the gramma out a few times (took about 3 rounds of "why is the gramma in this tiny crevasse??" to figure it out). I'm fairly sure she has an aggression nip on her back that was new yesterday evening. We already planned to switch up the tank to separate them better this weekend, but we're moving that up to this afternoon.
In the meantime, I noticed the gramma had a bit of a shredded side fin a day or so after we got her (So before the others were added). I've been keeping an eye on it, and it suddenly was worse last night. My partner noticed last night that there was white on the fin, and a patch on the back fin as well. He though ick - I went digging hard and suspect fin rot on top of the suspected aggression. No white sand-like spots anywhere, but white patches on fins. I watched the goby during the morning feeding, and I suspect he might have some of the top of his sail on his back as well. No problems with eating right now. I can't say if they are hiding more, since the fish are still newish and skiddish. I have not noticed the gramma flashing (?) Or scraping against rock per se... she does like the tiny crevasse, and she does hide against the rocks.
Tank parameters (just did a very thorough check of *everything*)
Temp - currently 76, typically was 77-78. We're fine-tuning a fan to keep that steadier and bit cooler.
Ammonia alert badge shows safe (under .02), hanna checker however said .08 (it's the first time I used this vs a chem test, is it possible I messed up?)
Nitrite: .3-8 (chemical test), 0-1 (strip test)
Nitrate: 25-50 (chemical), 25-40 (strip)
Ph: 8-8.4 (strip)
Iron: 0 (strip)
Copper: 0 (strip)
Chlorine: 0 (strip)
General hardness: 150-300 (strip)
Total alkalinity: 180 (strip)
Carbon hardness: 40 (strip)
A 50% water changed is already planned for this afternoon as well. The nitrites went up the last few days - it's been holding steady under .3, and closer to .1 before this. We're also fine tuning how much to feed, I suspect he fed a bit too much for a few days when goby/shrimp were added.
I'm adding pictures of both. Gramma has the white on the right side fin, and the top of her back fin. Goby I've only noticed on the top of his sail, but he's more elusive to see more of his body. At least he holds still better for pictures!
What would be the treatment here? We don't have a quarantine tank, nor the means to buy and set one up. We literally were discussing a second tank a few days ago, and an hour later my partners truck broke - we're looking at thousands to fix. So please be kind about the lack of QT/medical tank, this was a huge unexpected financial set back.
Thank you! I have videos as well if those are needed.
