My Antennata Died/Undulate Trigger

[lnelms2]

I loss my Antennata Lion yesterday. I asked the experts at 2 of my LFS and even took samples of my water for them to test and neither store could figure out why. My water was good the nitrates were a little high (40ppm) but not enough to kill. He was fine for the most part, didn't eat for like 2 days came home on the 3rd day and he was swimming upside down next to my intake, he stayed there for a while, then floated upside down to the top of the tank, 30 seconds later he swam down to his favorite rock and sat there for like 10-15 min then floated back up to the top. I took him out and put him a holding tank with the same water from the main tank, he died after about half an hour.

I've had a guy offer me his 2-3" Undulate for $20 and I've been considering getting it to go in my 75 with my Chainlink Moray, Yellowtail Damsels, Maroon Clown, and Spotted Hawk. I've been reading on how aggressive these guys are though and IDK if I want to risk my moray, clown, or hawk. I figured he'll eventually have at the damsels which I don't mind but I don't want him killing anything else. Think it's a good idea?

 

[nonstophoops]

I loss my Antennata Lion yesterday. I asked the experts at 2 of my LFS and even took samples of my water for them to test and neither store could figure out why. My water was good the nitrates were a little high (40ppm) but not enough to kill. He was fine for the most part, didn't eat for like 2 days came home on the 3rd day and he was swimming upside down next to my intake, he stayed there for a while, then floated upside down to the top of the tank, 30 seconds later he swam down to his favorite rock and sat there for like 10-15 min then floated back up to the top. I took him out and put him a holding tank with the same water from the main tank, he died after about half an hour.

I've had a guy offer me his 2-3" Undulate for $20 and I've been considering getting it to go in my 75 with my Chainlink Moray, Yellowtail Damsels, Maroon Clown, and Spotted Hawk. I've been reading on how aggressive these guys are though and IDK if I want to risk my moray, clown, or hawk. I figured he'll eventually have at the damsels which I don't mind but I don't want him killing anything else. Think it's a good idea?

Most likely, the upside down swimming was from a swim bladder issue. This could have been a primary problem that led to death or secondary from some other problem.

Did the Lionfish show any physical signs of trauma? Or any other signs of problems?

Damsels are notoriously aggressive which includes Maroon Clowns. They could have been picking on the Lion is a space this small.

As far as getting the Trigger, I would pass. Your tank is already fully stocked. You already have both aggressive and messy fish. Maroon clowns and damsels are quite aggressive and may not be tolerant of a new addition. The Trigger otherwise may feel the tank is too crowded and go after fish already in the tank as well. Hawkfish and Eels are messy eaters and create a lot of waste stress on your system.

 

[lnelms2]

Most likely, the upside down swimming was from a swim bladder issue. This could have been a primary problem that led to death or secondary from some other problem.

Did the Lionfish show any physical signs of trauma? Or any other signs of problems?

Damsels are notoriously aggressive which includes Maroon Clowns. They could have been picking on the Lion is a space this small.

As far as getting the Trigger, I would pass. Your tank is already fully stocked. You already have both aggressive and messy fish. Maroon clowns and damsels are quite aggressive and may not be tolerant of a new addition. The Trigger otherwise may feel the tank is too crowded and go after fish already in the tank as well. Hawkfish and Eels are messy eaters and create a lot of waste stress on your system.

Well the damsels are not a permanent part of this tank, they came with the tank and I used them to help cycle it. I was hoping once my Moray got big enough he would eat them, but I don't mind getting rid of them. My maroon clown isn't in this tank yet, he's in a 20H by himself because I thought the lion might eat him, he's currently smaller than the damsels and I need to grow him out a bit before he goes in the 75. The hawkfish is probably the most territorial in the tank, he occasionally chases the damsels around but the damsels don't even bother each other. The lion didn't have any signs of trauma, all his fins were perfect as the day I bought him, I never seen him get picked on by anyone. The eel would swim around him a lot but none of the others even got close.

 

[nonstophoops]

Well the damsels are not a permanent part of this tank, they came with the tank and I used them to help cycle it. I was hoping once my Moray got big enough he would eat them, but I don't mind getting rid of them. My maroon clown isn't in this tank yet, he's in a 20H by himself because I thought the lion might eat him, he's currently smaller than the damsels and I need to grow him out a bit before he goes in the 75. The hawkfish is probably the most territorial in the tank, he occasionally chases the damsels around but the damsels don't even bother each other. The lion didn't have any signs of trauma, all his fins were perfect as the day I bought him, I never seen him get picked on by anyone. The eel would swim around him a lot but none of the others even got close.

Well if it wasn't a physical thing, then it must be a disease. Bacterial possibly, in the swim bladder causing the upside down swimming and other problems leading to eventual death. That is all I can think of.

One a side note, I would try to bring that nitrate level down some with a water change or two. Levels as high as 40 may not kill fish immediately, but they are still unhealthy and will shorten the lifespan of fish long term. They can also affect the fishes ability to fight of disease.

 

[lnelms2]

Well if it wasn't a physical thing, then it must be a disease. Bacterial possibly, in the swim bladder causing the upside down swimming and other problems leading to eventual death. That is all I can think of.

One a side note, I would try to bring that nitrate level down some with a water change or two. Levels as high as 40 may not kill fish immediately, but they are still unhealthy and will shorten the lifespan of fish long term. They can also affect the fishes ability to fight of disease.

Yeah I did a WC as soon as I got home.