Pink Anthias Post Mortem questions

Sunday morning, I did a 20% water change in my tank. Afterware everyone seemed happy and well. About 4PM I checked again and everyone still seemed happy. About 8PM I found my Pink Anthias dead and looking like she had been for a couple of days!!!

I made the RO/DI water on Friday, mixed the salt on Monday morning, agitated and heated until Sunday. S.G. 1.026, PH 8.2, Temp 83, all the same as the display tank.

I have done this before with no problems, why this time? Could it have been the shock, or just coincidental? Ladyfish was one of my first (about a year ago) and favorites.

 

the temp is a bit high...but i dont think that would have done it so quick...but it is somthing to look into

 

Did you use the same brand of salt that you've been using since you set the tank up? Are you testing your tank water and r.o. water for the usual "culprits"? Ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, etc.? What are you feeding the anthias and how often do you feed?

 

It is probably just a coincidence. Was the fish mature when you got her? If so she may have been several years old already, and the expiration age related.

 

Yep, all the usual suspects tested normal. No amonnia, nitrites, nitrates were high at 60, that's why I did such a large change (my own fault for letting it get that high.) Fed all six fish 1 cube of formula 1 every other day, with occasional flake and/or brine shrimp for a change.

She may have been fairly mature, as her colors were deepening and the dorsal fin had gotten very dark. So age may be a factor.

Thanks to all for the responses.

 

Anthias need to be fed several times a day due to the fact that they have a short digestive tract. The insufficient feeding, the nitrates and then the possible shock due to a water change might have done the fish in.

 

Thanks Amy, I did not know that. I have my LFS looking out for a nice specimen too replace him (my wife's favorite of course!), so I will be more attentive to feeding.

Mike