Clownfish beh. CBS Molt Prob. 1/28/07
Dear Crew,
Hello, Leif. (I like that name) GrahamT here.>
        I have a problem. <Continue...> I have a 55 gallon marine aquarium with the following;
  2 Black Percula Clownfish.
  1 Yellow Tailed Blue Damsel
  1 Royal Gramma
  1 Coral Banded Shrimp (2 until earlier this week when one passed) <Bummer, sorry for that.>
  a few snails and hermits with approx 40lb of live rock. various macro algae.
  Water Change - 10-20% every 1-2 weeks.
  Specs are (tested this morning)
  pH - 8.1 (consistent
  Nitrite - none detectable
  Ammonia - none detectable
  SG - 1.025/1.026.
<No nitrate levels???>
  These are all in line with how my system has been for at least the last year. All inhabitants have been in there for at least a year with no visible problems.
  Now, I lost the female CBS last week to a molt that looks like it went horribly wrong, arms all limp and tangled with its molt still partly attached, I had to hand feed for a while but she didn't make it. The other (male) CBS also lost an arm during this period which made me suspect a fight but they were a true pair and had spawned in the aquarium and shared food etc.
<There are posts here on WWM that make mention of the importance of trace elements to the crustacean-molting process... Google turns up a few useful links for you.>
  Now, this morning my lights have come on to reveal the female clownfish lying on a rock at the back of the aquarium, laboured breathing, no visible physical trauma, not coming up for food, not very responsive to stimuli. Very worrying. I have had this pair of clowns for about 18 months from when they were tiny<.> <T>hey went through the pecking order punch up about a year ago and rank was established, there have been no problems between them since then.
<Without more for you or myself to go on, I would recommend you either quarantine this individual, or observe very closely. I would QT. This doesn't sound like a happy clown, but *sometimes* clowns behave oddly, and are fine and dandy. Ignoring food is a cause for concern, though. In the meantime, read http://www.wetwebmedia.com/clownfis.htm and ANYTHING that catches your eye here. I know you will find something that seems like what you're seeing. If this persists, don't hesitate to write again.>  
Please help if you can, the CBS was my first ever marine loss of life and if I lose the clown as well within the same week it would be heartbreaking. I have a spare aquarium that I could set up as a QT if you recommend but I don't want to cause any undue stress.
<This reminds me, It seems possible that something may be out-of-whack with your water-quality. If you aren't testing for nitrates, consider their importance in the micro-reef. http://www.wetwebmedia.com/nitratesmar.htm
-GrahamT.>
Thanks as always for your valued response.
  Leif.
  UK.

 

Re: Clownfish Behaviour/Death + CBS Molt follow-up 1/30/07
  Hi Graham,
<Hello again, Leif.>
               Thanks for your response. Unfortunately the clown passed away that night. I had to take her straight out because the CBS and hermits kept closing in on her. I'm gutted.
<I'm so sorry! I wonder what might be at play here...>
  Sorry for the missing info.
<No prob, wouldn't have helped, as it turns out.>
I do test for Nitrates and have always had them under 10ppm. I use RO/DI water for water changes (salted and aged). The reason I didn't include them in the mail is because I didn't test them immediately after noticing the problem, I just tested the things which I thought could change drastically and quickly enough to cause the problem I was seeing. I have since tested it and it is below 10ppm.
  I feed them a mixture of frozen omnivore mix (incl. algae), frozen squid, frozen Mysid, frozen brine (all thawed and rinsed)
<How is this rinsed? Tank-water?>
and occasionally flake.
  All the other inhabitants are still ok with no signs of stress. I have got the QT set up and ready in case it's needed. I just hope it was not infectious, whatever it was that killed the clown.
  I keep up with regular water changes and maintain calcium levels about 300ppm using Tropic Marin Bio Calcium and Alka Balance (measuring both alkalinity and Ca levels).
  I agree that there isn't much to go on, just thought I'd give it a try as I was pretty desperate. Thanks again.
<I am truly sorry for your loss, Leif. I hate watching my friends waste away, and so quickly, too! I wonder if you might investigate and find some contaminant has gotten into the system? I wonder based on the two factors: CBS molt affected, and the clown mortality. Is quite possible these are two isolated events, but it does make you wonder. Sometimes things just get sick, or they accumulate a certain lethal level of toxins and their bodies quit in short-order. Again, I empathize with your loss. If there is anything that occurs to you, drop a line!
-GrahamT>

Coral Banded Molting or Dying?  - 1/18/07
<Hey Jennifer, JustinN with you on this mighty chilly day!>
Love this website...it is literally my Bible for saltwater!  
<Thank you for this.>
I need some help with my coral banded. She's been listless for a couple of days, not eating.  She twitches like she has Parkinson's.
<Mmm, not good signs.>
She's been trying to hide but the green crab keeps finding her.  Water params are good.
<Actual numbers/data is much more helpful here, Jennifer, especially in this situation. Knowing what parameters you are testing for, what supplementation you are currently dosing and how often can help us determine where a potential deficiency or imbalance could be.>
I have a 55 gal and I did a small water change the other day and added iodine on Sunday. Is she dying or molting? Is there anything I can do to help her (maybe separate her)? I did have a porcelain crab die yesterday but I think that was due to a low ph (which has been fixed).
<Low pH fixed overnight? This alone could be your problem...>
All other inverts are doing good. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you!! Jennifer
<Well, Jennifer, the loss of the porcelain crab and mentioning of the low pH readings are disconcerting, for sure... Not boding well, IMO. The way you describe it reads to me like a potential biomineral deficiency (or potential overabundance, as the case may be). If you're not testing for things such as alkalinity, calcium content, and iodine levels, these could be quickly indicative of your problems. Hope this helps! -JustinN>

Re: Coral Banded Molting or Dying?  - 1/18/07
Thanks for quick response! OK, I tested my ph last night and again first thing this am (before lights on) and it was at 8.3. Calcium has been at 340 which I've added SeaChem Calcium to increase it. Ammonia, Nitrites, Nitrates, Phosphates all at 0. I don't have an iodine testing kit.. none to be found at any LFS.  I have been following directions to the letter..1 drop per 25 gal 1x per week, so I've added 2 drops (which is actually a little low).  She still is moving a little.  Should I try a water change or anything? Thanks!
<The problem with following the directions to a T, is that they really don't tell you how to properly administer such supplements. If your tank is not consuming the iodine at the levels you are adding it, this could lead to problems, and is a side effect of blindly dosing when you are not testing for the result. Another item you should be testing for is alkalinity. If you performed a water change after the porcelain crab died, I would not jump too quickly to do another. Instead, try to get your hands on the tests I've mentioned. Online vendors can be helpful when you can't locate specific items, otherwise you could request a specific item from your LFS. -JustinN>

Re: Coral Banded Molting or Dying?  - 1/18/07
Man, Justin.. you're fast! Many thanks! Alkalinity is 161.1 ppm KH. I'm gonna call around and see if I can find an iodine test.  Thanks!
<Excellent, Jennifer. That is a good reading for alkalinity. I wish you luck! -JustinN>

Quarantine
<<Hello - I know you wanted me to disregard this email, but I feel like I should answer so you have the information for the "next time">>
Thank you JasonC, now I have another question. 
<<You are welcome.>> 
Since it's most likely a fungal infection (on my domino damsel, remember?), should I just quarantine the domino and let it get better on its own, or should I treat? 
<<best to isolate, observe, then treat if necessary.>> 
And if I treat, what would be a good treatment? 
<<this is topical - depends on what we're trying to eliminate.>> 
I really don't want to use copper for anything, ever, if possible. 
<<well, this is why a separate quarantine tank is so vital - you can treat your illin' fish and not worry about polluting your main system with the various toxic therapies.>>
 I plan on having quite a few inverts in the near future and don't even want to take the smallest chance. Also, if I were to treat him with copper, wouldn't he transfer some to the main tank when I put him back in? <<again, a round in quarantine would last anywhere from two to four weeks, during which time you would treat, observe, and then run an activated carbon to remove the copper, etc.>>
 I've got a coral banded shrimp I'm really fond of...Going to quarantine him today. If I need to medicate him, will you please let me know as soon as possible? I know you're busy, but I'm really unsure of what to do. Thank you so much in advance! 
<<I'm not that busy, and it's absolutely my pleasure. Cheers, J -->>

Coral Banded Shrimp is algae-covered and schizophrenic
Hi Robert.
<Anthony Calfo in your service>
I recently moved my 50 gal reef tank to a new house and fortunately everything survived. In transit, the CB Shrimp was jostled quite a bit and remained listlessly upside-down on the substrate for a few days. I
thought it had died, but it suddenly recovered and seems to be OK after 3 weeks.
<wow...severe temperature or (more likely) salinity shock. Probably sunk like a rock going into the new tank from admittedly poor acclimation (crustacea suffer osmotic shock from slight differences in salinity)>
The strange part is that the personality of the CBS has completely changed. 
<its called "dain bramage">
It used to hide under the rocks and react to any slight movement. During feeding, it would come out a aggressively snatch food. Now, however, the shrimp is always in the open and seems very lethargic.
<did you ever see the "Handy-man" skit on "Living Color">
I can even touch it whereas in the past it would dart away. While it seems to forage slightly on the rocks, it isn't very responsive during feeding time. Greenish algae has also grown over most of its body.
<wow...that's all I can say...wow>
It's just so weird because other than being a bit lethargic, the CBS seems to be fine. Any thoughts? TD
<yes...but none polite...hehe. I'm sorry your BC shrimp has suffered so. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be picked up and transported from a warm tropical beach to a perch in the high Alps in a millisecond? Hmmm...just me. I'm certain that there was a change in water quality parameters that caused this. Live and learn. Do the best you can with him, my friend. kindly, Anthony>

Bad molt... here, take my arms!
BCS, CBS Never can keep it straight.. Anyway, my banded coral shrimp, who's about 5 years old and meaner than a snake,
<heehee... all too common>
apparently had a "bad molt" and showed up with both front claws missing.  
<no worries... will regrow... feed well in the interim>
I don't think there's anything else in the tank that could rip his newly molted claws off.  I have a brittle star, two small PJ cardinals, a mandarin and a Firefish in a 45 high tank .  I also have assorted hermit crabs (small with tiny claws) and snails.  From reading the FAQs I understand that they can drop the claws and get them back in subsequent molts.  Might this indicate a lack of nutrients/minerals?  
<indeed... quite possible. Lack of iodine for proper ecdysis/molt is often cited. If this is a non-reef aquarium or any that does not receive weekly iodine and/or water changes or better... then iodine levels are certainly low in your system. Seachem has a nice test kit for this if you like/to confirm. At any rate... a large but gentle water change would likely do wonders>
Everything else looks fine. thanks tom
<best regards, Anthony>

Can't find my CBS 7/31/05
A week ago I purchased a CBS.  I acclimated it over about a 2 hour period.
When I finally released it into the tank, it appeared to be fine.  It moved around just a little and then situated itself under a piece of coral.  Later that night, I noticed that it's body parts appeared to be falling off (I later learned that it was molting).  
<Mmm, molts come off in one piece...>
The next day it was still sitting in the same place.  Since then, I have not seen it at all (has now been 9 days since I purchased it).  I am trying to figure out if it is even alive.  I have not seen a body floating around.
<Might still be in the "hardening" phase of ecdysis/molting>
I know that they can apparently get into very small holes (I do have about 34 lbs of live rock in the tank w/lots of hiding places).  Do you think it is still alive?
<Can't tell from here... You do have sufficient calcium, alkalinity I hope/trust... and matching spg, pH during the extended acclimation...>
Today I am almost positive I saw "something" moving into a hole, but when I shined a flashlight in the hole, I couldn't see anything.  I also have a chocolate chip starfish, a coral beauty angel and a bicolor blenny in the tank.  When feeding, I usually alternate between frozen brine shrimp, Prime Reef flake and seaweed.  If the CBS is still alive, can you recommend something that will bring it out (so I can at least know if it's alive or not).  Thanks so much for your help!
LaVonda Black
<Only time, patience can tell whether your Boxer is still with you. Please read here: http://wetwebmedia.com/stenopodidae.htm
and the linked files above, where you lead yourself. Bob Fenner>

Boxer shrimp problem 7/20/05
Hi
Thanks very much for the advice you gave me last week.  I am pleased to tell you that within 4 days of the iodine going in my tank the boxer shrimp shed his skin and he has re-appeared complete with new claws.  It’s truly amazing!!  How long do you suggest I continue with the iodine treatment – is this a permanent thing I should be doing? <Should be done on a weekly basis.  James (Salty Dog).  I'd also like to apologize for the long delay.  I have been out of town.>
Regards
Dave