Pseudochromis porphyreus (purple dottyback)

I have had it for over a month now in my 4 month old tank. I had my parameters tested 3 days ago and everything was perfect, and I tested them today and the same (maybe a 5 ppm reading in nitrate but it is hard to read the color). I examined the fish and it did not have signs of any abnormal infections, fungus, or anything else. He was normally very active but the last day or so he stayed hidden in the rocks and last night he died. I'm assuming it was "of natural causes" but wanted to see if there were any other suggestions.

 

Sorry to hear about your loss . I don't think your Nitrates are high enough to cause this, so it must of been something else. If you are looking for a similar fish to replace it with I would suggest an Orchid Dottyback ( Pseudochromis fridmani). They look very similar but aren't as aggressive.

 

Yeah that was my daughter's fish (because they love purple). It is just strange. Of course I started a mini panic when I found it testing everything, thinking something went wrong. Thank you for the suggestion.