Emperor dead, hippo not doing well

[SurferStevo]

Today I come home to find my angel dead. My hippo is breathing heavily on the bottom of the tank. The dogface & porcupine puffers seems unaffected by whatever is going on. The puffers even ate tonight. The SG is a little low at 1.018 & the water temp is a normal 78. There does not seem to be ick on any of the fish & everyone was okay last night?
I've had my 120g set up for at least 3 years. It's just been a simple FOWLR system.
Anybody have some ideas as to what else to look for?

[Kahuna Tuna]

I would check all of the water parameters to start. Puffers are pretty tough fish and can survive conditions that would kill other fish. Your low SG isn't a factor IMO. Are there any other symptoms on either the tang or angel?

[SurferStevo]

Well, the angel is dead.
The tang is breathing heavily & on the bottom of the tank. He doesn't look like he has ick.
That's all I see right now. I don't think any other water params really are important for fish.

[Kahuna Tuna]

Ammonia and nitrite are fish killers and a very high nitrate for extended periods has been implicated in fish mortailty. Are there any other tank inhabitants that could have died and caused a spike? Its just very unusual for fish to be healthy one day and dead the next. The only other thing that comes to mind is poisoning or some other contamination.

[petoonia]

Correct me if Im wrong, but dont angels and tangs tend to need more oxygen. Maybe their not getting enough.

[purpletang26]

may have a type of paraisite of fugus

[FTony]

Velvet?.... It kills overnight. If you have LR then get your Puffers to QT. If not, slowly drop the salinity to 1009 and pray. Sorry to hear about your losses. Totally sucks to wake up to sick/dead fish.

[Kahuna Tuna]

Could be velvet, thats why I asked about symptoms. It looks like the fish has been dusted with powdered sugar in severe cases. Do you have a house cleaner or someone who could have accidently got something into the tank. I have a lady that comes once a week and I made sure she stays away from the tank with the cleaning chemicals.

[Nocturnal]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9120739#post9120739 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SurferStevo
I don't think any other water params really are important for fish.

Huh? The only water params that are important are temp and salinity?
Wow, umm, yeah I don't think so. Might want to test your water for ammonia, nitrites and nitrates as someone (I think) stated above. If that all tests out, then move onto other causes, like disease or some type of pollution

[BMW///M3]

When was the last time you did a water change, how often do you do them? How much of a water change do you do every time. I'd be willing to bet this is your fault.......

[SurferStevo]

It looks like ick now - the puffers are covered with it. I'm dosing copper now in the QT.

Nocturnal - Aside from Ammonia & nitrites of course. I did test for that got a zero on both.

BMW - Water changes are done monthly 10 gallons (store bought NSW). Top off with ro/di water.
Yeah, it's definately my fault....I can't blame the fish.

Thanks for the help guys. It's just frustrating to have a fish die on you. :(

[petoonia]

I suggest upping your water changes to at least twice a month, if not more. In a FOWLR your nitratres can build up fast. I suggest you get a nitrate test kit ASAP! If you have really high nitrates it could be stressing the fish out.

Sorry about the loss of your fish!!!!

[NewKid630]

Check your PH... I had a PH crash when I wasnt looking and it took out a few fish. Also with the higher temps (Above 75) a skimmer is absolutly needed if you are not injecting air into that tank using airstones.