Dead Clown

[koaladarshana]

My BF just lost a clownfish and he's really sad, wondering why... I don't know what to say because his parameters look alright to me, though I only know freshwater fish...

The amonia is 0, nirtites 0, nitrates 20, salinity 1.021, ph 8.2. Tank has been cycled for about a month; fish were added after cycle was complete. Tank is a 12 gallon nano. Only other fish in there was another ocellaris clown and some snails.

Any thoughts?

[Cliff]

With a salinity that low, it would be a challenge to keep your pH stable throughout the day. The salinity of the ocean is 1.027, 1.021 is far too low. I would suggest raising the salinity up to 1.025 to 1.026 to give you a little room for evaporation

Also, clown fish need at least a 20 gallon tank. A 12 gallon nano is far too small for them

My only other thoughts would be some type of disease. Perhaps it would be a good idea to keep a close eye on the other clownfish.

[sheamurai]

+1 to Cliff. A 12 gal nano is too small for TWO clownfish - if they were the same size, they may have fought over dominance/territory. When keeping a pair of clowns, it's best they be different sizes (one big one, one small one) so as to avoid a fight over who dominates and becomes the female. And in a big enough tank for two fish that will get to be a big 3" (meaning they are a chunky fish).

Also, a fish only tank is ok to have nigher nitrates in, but 20 nitrates in a SW tank is pretty high, I would consider 10 high even for a fowlr tank...

So you have a pick of possible causes, and the truth is likely the combination of some/all these. Clowns are generally pretty tough fish.

I'd advise you to advise the bf not to replace the fish (or add any fish at all, actually), unless he gets a bigger tank.

[koaladarshana]

All great advice. I will pass it along to my BF. Thanks guys!