jayro

So, when I got my 15lbs of live rock about 3 weeks ago, I noticed that I had some hitch-hikers . . . many brittle starts (teeny) and 1 tiny crab (about 3/4"). One day last week I found the crab dead. Never got to know him so no need for condolences

I've been monitoring my levels almost everyday and a few days ago had my water tested at my LFS. The guy told me all my levels are great but he did find some trace amounts of nitrite and trace amounts of ammonia. He said to keep doing my 10% water changes every day to every other day and and gave me a little filter bag to add to my mechanical filter. I definitely have noticed a difference in the amount of algae that shows up on the walls since I added the filter, however . . . all this being said I found ANOTHER crab dead today!

I noticed him last week and he was eating flakes as they fell to the ground. I saw him another time since then and asked my LFS about him. They identified him and told me he was just a baby.

To sum things up, my question is, are the trace amounts of ammonia and nitrite killing my crabs? Or are they not getting enough food? I haven't seen any tiny star fish in a very long time either and am wondering if they are hiding really well, or if they have died also.

My corals seem to be doing well and my fish seem to be doing great also; though I know inverts respond differently to water quality. Thoughts?

agsansoo

What are these trace amounts ? I need exact numbers please. Also, what are you feeding your fish ? And how much ?

jayro

At the time I found my crab dead the nitrate was .03 according to the LFS. He didn't say what the ammonia was, but told me it wasn't enough to be concerning. (maybe I should have been concerned)

After all of this, my fire shrimp died last night so I tested my water this morning and my nitrite and ammonia were at zero; my nitrate at 5. My pH is about 8.4; salinium 1.023; alkalinity about 2.4 (if I remember right).

I feed salt water flakes 1 to 2 times daily (a pinch) and a 3"x3" section of brown seaweed about 2-3 times a week. I limited the feeding in the days following my last crabs death because of the nitrite, but then my fire shrimp died!

I did find another crab yesterday that seems to be eating fine, I can see his little claw reach out and grab food. But then, about an hour ago I was changing one of my air-stones and I found this tiny (1/2") flesh colored, larvae looking worm swimming around as fast as could be. Had a little black spot on the head-end. It kept trying to dive into the substrate, but would then keep on swimming. A worm? A baby eel?

I don't know what's going on, but I'm worried I'm going to find my other crab dead any time. Hope this all helps.

Jennifer

agsansoo

If your nitrite and ammonia are zero, your fine. Just keep feeding the tank twice a day and they should find enough food to eat. As for the worm, can you get a photo of it ? Are you doing weekly water changes ? What salt mix are you using ?

billyboy2

is it possible that you are discovering a moulted shell of the crabs & shrimp?? when i started my FOWLR a year ago i was also startled to find what i thought was a dead shrimp or crab but later would find him just fine with some new skin... they will loose a layer depending on how much nutrition is availible to them so if there is lots of left overs, your clean up crew of shrimp and crab will moult often and can be confused with a death