Weird issue that is driving me mad!!! (1 Viewer)

[Desertio]

I have a 14g Bio-Cube that i have had for 3 months now. I got it from a guy that had it up for a couple years and i bought the full set-up fish and all. It came with a damsel and some softies. Since getting the tank the Damsel and corals are doing very well. I have successfully added a Lawnmower Blenny to it. The issue i am having is that i ahve tried adding 5 other fish at varoius times and ALL have died within 24 hours of adding them. I float for 30, add 25%tank water for 10 min, then 50% tank water for 10, then 75%tank for 10 then add them to the tank. I turn off lights and everything. I have tested the water 50+ times and i doe weekly water changes. My water is from a 7stage RO/DI unit with uv sterilization that i have at home. I am at a loss here. Water tests out good. '

Salinity 1.024
PH 8.0
Nitrates 0
Nitrites 0
Ammonia 0

 

[Andrew_B]

Damsels can be little jerks, definitely in such a small tank. Might be aggression after the lights go out

 

[Desertio]

here are the fish that I have tried adding,
blue gudgen
starry blenny
Singapore angel
six line wrasse
clownfish

 

[webster1234]

My money is on the damsel. They are very territorial, esp in a 14 gallon tank. Not to be critical but have you researched the tank requirements for any of those fish before you bought them? Every one you listed requires at least a 30 gallon tank and a Singapore angel?? in a 14 gallon? Those fish need 100+ gallons in very short order. I guarantee you, anything else you put in there will meet the same fate until you get rid of that damsel. And even then, I wouldn't put more than 2 fish in there and something that doesn't need a lot of room. Do some research and please ask questions before you make another purchase.

 

[CBBSteve]

Hi, Desertio.
There's a reason why the blue damsel is also called the blue devil.

good luck,
Steve

 

[LSUFireGal]

I also have a 14g biocube. I consider it fully stocked with a small pair of clowns and a pom pom crab. Fish grow FAST. A 1.5 inch blueface angel I got in May is now the size of my hand. Even when they are tiny fish that need space get very stressed in confined conditions. Lose the damsel and stick to no more than 4 fish that are suited for small tanks. A good resource when making stocking decisions is the Nano fish section on live aquaria, but nothing new will be able to share the water column with an established damsel. Hope this helps.

 

[LSUFireGal]

Just to clarify, the blueface is in my big tank and was never in the 14g.

 

[Desertio]

I didn't go buying these fish for this tank. I was given 3 of them at different times and thought with such a small bio load they would be okay. I had hoped to get a bigger tank this month to accommodate any more fish. I had no plans of keeping them in there. I was worried that something crazy was wrong with my tank. It seems that the damsel is the culprit. When I move him to a bigger tank that should knock him down a peg or two. Thank y'all for the wonderful advice and I will definitely not get any more fish for this tank. Free or not until the damsel is out.

 

[Mark L.]

That damsel is going to give you problems no matter where you put it. I'd donate it to you LFS and be done with it. You will be kicking yourself when you can't catch it in a larger tank.

 

[Diesel]

My Yellow tail Damsel is trained, FYI.
I got him from Dennis FJW and he did a good job training him.
Got him now 15 months, was the first fish in my 202 and will never get rid of him.
Doesn't hurt or chase any one in my tank.
I just wish he did the roll over trick again as I miss that, but he sits, does the worm and checks out all my Acro's for pest, even I don't have any but he's trained to do so.

 

[Desertio]

does anyone want a little blue devil? Ha ha

 

[Desertio]

Please close

 

[Carse]

Adding aggressive fish last will increase your chances of success. With caution of course.

 

[Desertio]

Thanks.