FISH TURNING BLACK... heniochus butterfly

[sampsonndelila]

I am worried about him, he is turning black, and his fins look thin and are starting to tatter. This started yesterday. He has been in the tank for 1 month with same tank mates with no problem. His buddy the yellow tang chases him around but never seems to catch him. They look more like they are playing because they switch roles all the time, chasing eachother.

[sampsonndelila]

125 gal long Salinity was a little low. Added salt
Temp 77.8
2 fish not looking good 1 clown (tomato) and one butterfly White and black. They are huddled at bottom of tank unusually close to each other. The clown has very small white dots. (Smaller than typical ick dots I have seen before)
The angel has dark smudging on his white parts. His eyes also look a little foggy. His dark black parts are a little faded.
Tank is been running in its current config for 3 months. I have the water and sand from a tank i had running for 6 months before.
I have a sump with filter pads, live rock 20 lbs and a skimmer. (Strange I cleaned the skimmer yesterday-might be connected)
I have 50-60 lbs of live rock in the bottom of the tank. And I am battling A little red algae. (2 weeks)
I say the water tested perfect, because that is what the pet shop said when they tested it yesterday before I introduced my new fish, a different angel.

[SaltyJim]

Hmm. Did you QT the new fish before putting it in your display tank? Sounds like you may have introduced something with that fish.

Also, when you say you added salt, did you add directly to the tank, or mix in RO water then add as top-off?

Without knowing the cause, I'd run carbon in case of some other kind of contaminant. I'd also look into removing the filter pads that you have in the sump. If you need to have some kind of pre-filter, look into filter socks.

[ErikH]

If you have several fish not looking well, then I recommend a heavy water change, say 50% or so....

[sampsonndelila]

I thought possiable I did introduce something. but it seems that the newer fish is fine. The newer fish is much smaller.
I added the salt to the fuge.

[SaltyJim]

I added the salt to the fuge.

For future reference, never add salt directly to the tank or the sump. Always dissolve the salt in fresh water, and aerate (if possible) before adding to the tank. The undissolved salt crystals can cause damage to fish's gills. I'm sure that some may disagree and have done it without harm, but I'd rather be safe than sorry.

[sampsonndelila]

Cool, I have never heard that but I added it to the fuge because of a thought I had to that effect.

[Bill S]

I've added salt directly to a sump for many, many years...

[sharkboy]

water change!!!

[sampsonndelila]

Dead! family pretty upset. Him and the angel died at the same time the small angel was the last added and didnt apear sick at all. even in death. Everyone else looks healthy. confused.

[AdamZC]

I agree, you've got to do a water change right away, I'd say at LEAST 30%

[sharkboy]

sorry to hear about the losses...you might want to start doing your own tests and above all, be patient and take things slow...

[sampsonndelila]

I have lost 2 so far and the others are looking effected too. I don't have the ability to do such a large waterchange, I only have 2 5 gal buckets. I will mix up as soon as I can. they are a drop in the bucket to my 125 gal tank... My clown and my dansels are looking bad. The clown has lots of white spots and my damsels are loosing color. my yellow tang and lion fish and starfish look normal.

[Bill S]

I've got LOTS of buckets. Or, buy a "tub" from Walmart. 663.8079.

[drgnbttrfly]

I bought a 35 gallon trash can and I can add water to it run for more fill it then mix then pump it in the tank for water changes

I only use it for clean freshly made water....but it sure helps when I do massive water changes on my 125.

The rubbermaid can cost me 14 bucks? I keep it out in the garage laundry room or whatever until I need it.

The only issue is trying to keep everyone from using this as a trashcan.

You can get wheels for this too and store water in it short term.

My husband brings me 5 gallons at a time...so this is VERY helpful for us.