saltwater fish tanks/ fish

Question
QUESTION: there is a large saltwater fish tank at my work, lets say 6ft width by 4ft. There were about 10 different fish inside. All of them died in one day...2 hours after the fish tank was cleaned. The fish tank cleaner guy said they died due to poor feedings? that the fish food had been placed in the tank frozen..can this happen?

ANSWER: Julia,

sorry for the delay, I am having one of those weeks, (flooded condo, and no, it isnt tank related)

anyways, I really think you know the answer to this...  I am guessing you are basing your opinion or belief that the tank size is what is protecting any issues related to 'frozen fish'...

Can you please tell me what size 'frozen fish' or how much was put into the tank.

But, unless you are talking pounds, i can not see how the 'frozen' part of the equation would matter...

And of course i am not able to suggest other possibilities as i am remote, but, the timing of the mainteance compared to the time of death is suspicious...

I would ask several questions...

1.  Is there a log or report or what maintenane was done, and the results of any tests taken...

2.  Was there any new changes/additions done at that maintance?

3.  Did you or anyone from your office have prior history of 'feeding' the fish?  And, did the maintenance company understand that your or your office would be feeding the tank?  AND most importantly, did the mainteance company giv eyou any information or instructions on how to feed the tank???
4. How long had that company been taking care of your tank?

5.  Are they licensed and insured?  (and next time, make sure they are insured and get/ DEMAND, a certificate of insurance, naming your boss/owner as 'additiona; insured'

Also, how long have those fish been in the tank and doing well?


also, can you let me know what your plans are, and what actions were taken to clean the tank of the dead fish?

thanks and good luck


bill

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: my assistants were given the task of feeding the fish, about 1 month ago. Instructions were feed the fish every morning, the fish guy made up pre-made ready  to feed portions in sandwich bag size. Containing shrimp, little silver fish, and some frozen cube stuff. My assitants were to place the food in a 8oz cup, fill with hot water let thaw out, then feed.  The tank had been changed over from freshwater to saltwater around 4 months ago,  fish guy for about 1 1/2 . They are charging the place where i work over a thousand to replace the fish.

Answer
So, did the office assistants feed the fish frozen, unthawed food, and if so, why?

I would also like to know how much frozen food are we talking about here, (per feeding)...

I still dont think that frozen food would kill off any fish, unless a fish swallowed nd choked on a piece???

But the water volume will not change because of a few tespoons of frozen food...  That would be like saying, if you put your hand in the tank, you will raise your tank water temperature as you are warmer thent eh tank water...

(actually you will increase the tank temperature that way, but only a minutes, probably immeasurable amount...

I dont think i would be comfortable using that company any more.  From what you presented to me so far, they have not proven that you did something wrong that would contrubute or cause the death of those or any fish...  (yes you did not follow directions, but that did not cause the death, (from what you have told me so far)

You can verify the cost/price of the fish by checking online at many sites/online stores...

I would suggest www.liveaquaria.com   They have an arrive alive guarantee AND a STAY alive guarantte that is a few weeks long... the best in the industry actually, as some dont have a arrive live guarantee at all no l;ess the stay alive portion...

And again, i would request information from that maintenance contractor proof of the test results and precisly what tasks were performed that monrnign...

If the test perameters were off, then that is a clue...  If the 'routne' mainenance was done, and maybe that work was either doen incompletely or just wrong, then you will have another possiblity as to what could have happened.

but to buy fish and put them in a tank without knowing the current peramters, and the recent past peramters is a bit 'risky business'



I would also ask to review the contract with teh mainenance company.. i would include some extra clauses...

1.  you, or your staff will call or email immediately to notifiy the maintenance company of any strange behaviour or actions.  The MAintenance company will respond to examine and determine the problems and cause and corrective course of action.  Costs will be due to the contractor if he has to come on a day that he wouldnt normally be there...

2.  the maintenance contractor will be responsibile for all fish and tank related issues for 12 hours after his on site visits...


This last clause maybe difficult to get them to accept, and there can be some extra verbiage in there that will try to make ift fair...  I certainly dont think he should be responsibile if some freak thing happens, and or if someone else is at fault, but in cases like what you have here, and now,  ther eis many possibilities that the maintenance contractor might have done something wrong...

He could have added the wrong chemicals, (bottle A instead of Bottle B), or he could hae added TOO much?  he could have performed a test wrong and used that result to make other decisions, and or course of actions...  He could have bad 'salt water' that is at the wrong salinity...

He could forget to plug in a pump, or heater, or maybe drop something into the tank. or any number of things.  Again, the point here is LIKLIEHOOD/Probability

Again, the intent here is to be fair, and not put too much burden on the contractor.   

You might also want to consider feding the fish yourself, and not have assistants take care of things that not only cost a 'chunk o change' but are actually living breathing animals, almost like your little babies...

Anyways, i wish you the best of luck and hopefully things iwll become easier...