current fish quality

Jude · 08/31/2007, 09:40 PM

Hi All,
I wanted to ask everyone about their experiences with the quality of fish available on the market.
While I do have a fair number of specimens that are doing well, it seems I've had a rather high percentage of loss with livestock; I've purchased from LFS, not-so-LFS, and online...

So, I was curious if this is a consistent trend, something regional or, perhaps, a singular issue that I've not yet realized....?
Thanks for reading.

rtstrat01 · 08/31/2007, 11:35 PM

maybe its your tank, do you qt the fish before you add them to the tank.

dareefking · 09/01/2007, 12:24 AM

Yeah, I'd check your tank first as I havent encountered any problems, but then the same fish from a different waters seem to do better sometimes. Ask your LFS if they know where the fish is from? i know at my shop we label where the fish was collected if we know. Just another thought.

What do you mean by not-so-LFS, outta city FS?

Seems like flame angels are the only ones we've been getting that haven't been acclimating nice, maybe royal grammas as well, not sure.

Fish Filet · 09/01/2007, 12:27 AM

Where are you buying from? If you're in the city and metropolitan area, I could probably tell you which stores NOT to buy from judging from poor reputation, bad customer service etc.

Jude · 09/01/2007, 06:06 AM

Hi All,
Thanks for the feedback.

-rtstrat01
Currently, I don't have a QT setup- does everyone do this? If so, what size tank, any buffers/meds, time in QT and equipment are used? I'm fairly limited on space so, I don't have much flexibility for anything too large. What are the steps usually taken while acclimating for you?

My acclimation is usually:
-I'll open and float the bag for 20min for temp.
-then add small amounts of water (about 2-3oz every 15mins.
-empty some water out of their bag (into a waste bucket) when near full
-continue anywhere 2-4hours depending upon the fish's current salinity
-put into my tank

-dareefking
As for my display tank, everything seems to be within spec as I tested the water; I do regular water changes (10-18%) with RO/DI, maintain the systems and I have fish that seem healthy and happy. What could I be missing in tank parameters and/or acclimation procedures?

By 'no-so-local', I meant that I've driven out to CT (House of Fins) & different parts of LI to try different stores.

-Fish Filet
I'd definitely be open to recommendations for stores (or the ones not to buy from) in LI and NYC too in-thread or via PM... it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for reading.

Jude · 09/01/2007, 10:18 AM

Anyone have ideas on what may be going wrong?
Thanks

rtstrat01 · 09/01/2007, 11:56 AM

not everyone uses qt tanks, but basically its to isolate your new fish to observe them to insure that the new guy is in good health so when you put him in your display your not putting in his disease to kill the rest of your fish, as for meds/additives what are you already putting in, additives are something you dont have to do if you have a good salt it will have all the stuff you need, especially if you have a smaller tank, additives that are put in to much can really harm the tank. but i would suggest asking the lfs if they qt, this is one way to see the quality of a lfs, here locally i have a few lfs that do qt and you can tll the quality between there specimans and the ones that dont qt. how soon are your fish dieing, and what kinds have died.

dareefking · 09/01/2007, 05:56 PM

^^^ Yeah also interested to know what has died...

Might try a tiny bit different acclimation, try acclimating in a bucket or styrofoam box (your LFS may have one) to give the fish more area to move. Might help also to drip acclimate if you do this so temp stays about the same. This would help i think with some fish that get stressed if left too long in bags.

Jude · 09/02/2007, 12:14 PM

Hi all,
Currently, I don't add any medication to my display; I use Tropic Marin Pro Reef, Ca reactor, UV, skimmer, i run phosban and carbon and have a fuge in-sump.

I was curious if others use anything in their QT tank when first getting a new fish and how long you generally leave it in there. Also, what type of filtration/equipment is used?

I know that none of the places I've purchased locally from use acclimation systems; they readily receive fish and make them available for purchase shortly thereafter. Although, I think one of the places online does- but that's far more difficult to confirm.

Ive lost a wide variety of fish over time- namely, powder blues, emporer angel, clown trigger, achilles tang, square spot male anthias and a goldflake... Some seem to do okay and die rather suddenly... While others won't eat at all and had died after a few days.
I'd just recently gotten a bluefaced angel and it looks like it has a large circular bruise on its side.

dareefking · 09/02/2007, 05:17 PM

Well that is a variety of fish. I take it you have a pretty large system. Are the fish eating at the store where you purchased them? Could there be any other fish in the system that are causing the new fish to stress? What fish are curretnly in the tank? How long has this tank been set up?

szwab · 09/02/2007, 09:43 PM

yes I would always make sure the fish are eating. Some of the fish you listed are traditionally difficult to keep.

did the blueface have this when you bought it or is it new? Have a pic?

08/31/2007, 09:40 PM	#1
Jude Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: New York Posts: 107	current fish quality Hi All, I wanted to ask everyone about their experiences with the quality of fish available on the market. While I do have a fair number of specimens that are doing well, it seems I've had a rather high percentage of loss with livestock; I've purchased from LFS, not-so-LFS, and online... So, I was curious if this is a consistent trend, something regional or, perhaps, a singular issue that I've not yet realized....? Thanks for reading.

09/02/2007, 09:43 PM	#11
szwab RC Mod Join Date: May 2002 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 15,225	yes I would always make sure the fish are eating. Some of the fish you listed are traditionally difficult to keep. did the blueface have this when you bought it or is it new? Have a pic? __________________ Mark "I got a fever, and the only prescription, is more cowbell" ~ Christopher Walken Current Tank Info: AGE 240 Flatback Hex

08/31/2007, 11:35 PM	#2
rtstrat01 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Lochbuie, CO Posts: 178	maybe its your tank, do you qt the fish before you add them to the tank.

09/01/2007, 12:24 AM	#3
dareefking Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Metairie Posts: 93	Yeah, I'd check your tank first as I havent encountered any problems, but then the same fish from a different waters seem to do better sometimes. Ask your LFS if they know where the fish is from? i know at my shop we label where the fish was collected if we know. Just another thought. What do you mean by not-so-LFS, outta city FS? Seems like flame angels are the only ones we've been getting that haven't been acclimating nice, maybe royal grammas as well, not sure.

09/01/2007, 12:27 AM	#4
Fish Filet Moved On Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: NYC Posts: 282	Where are you buying from? If you're in the city and metropolitan area, I could probably tell you which stores NOT to buy from judging from poor reputation, bad customer service etc.

09/01/2007, 06:06 AM	#5
Jude Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: New York Posts: 107	Hi All, Thanks for the feedback. -rtstrat01 Currently, I don't have a QT setup- does everyone do this? If so, what size tank, any buffers/meds, time in QT and equipment are used? I'm fairly limited on space so, I don't have much flexibility for anything too large. What are the steps usually taken while acclimating for you? My acclimation is usually: -I'll open and float the bag for 20min for temp. -then add small amounts of water (about 2-3oz every 15mins. -empty some water out of their bag (into a waste bucket) when near full -continue anywhere 2-4hours depending upon the fish's current salinity -put into my tank -dareefking As for my display tank, everything seems to be within spec as I tested the water; I do regular water changes (10-18%) with RO/DI, maintain the systems and I have fish that seem healthy and happy. What could I be missing in tank parameters and/or acclimation procedures? By 'no-so-local', I meant that I've driven out to CT (House of Fins) & different parts of LI to try different stores. -Fish Filet I'd definitely be open to recommendations for stores (or the ones not to buy from) in LI and NYC too in-thread or via PM... it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for reading.

09/01/2007, 10:18 AM	#6
Jude Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: New York Posts: 107	Anyone have ideas on what may be going wrong? Thanks

09/01/2007, 11:56 AM	#7
rtstrat01 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Lochbuie, CO Posts: 178	not everyone uses qt tanks, but basically its to isolate your new fish to observe them to insure that the new guy is in good health so when you put him in your display your not putting in his disease to kill the rest of your fish, as for meds/additives what are you already putting in, additives are something you dont have to do if you have a good salt it will have all the stuff you need, especially if you have a smaller tank, additives that are put in to much can really harm the tank. but i would suggest asking the lfs if they qt, this is one way to see the quality of a lfs, here locally i have a few lfs that do qt and you can tll the quality between there specimans and the ones that dont qt. how soon are your fish dieing, and what kinds have died.

09/01/2007, 05:56 PM	#8
dareefking Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Metairie Posts: 93	^^^ Yeah also interested to know what has died... Might try a tiny bit different acclimation, try acclimating in a bucket or styrofoam box (your LFS may have one) to give the fish more area to move. Might help also to drip acclimate if you do this so temp stays about the same. This would help i think with some fish that get stressed if left too long in bags.

09/02/2007, 12:14 PM	#9
Jude Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: New York Posts: 107	Hi all, Currently, I don't add any medication to my display; I use Tropic Marin Pro Reef, Ca reactor, UV, skimmer, i run phosban and carbon and have a fuge in-sump. I was curious if others use anything in their QT tank when first getting a new fish and how long you generally leave it in there. Also, what type of filtration/equipment is used? I know that none of the places I've purchased locally from use acclimation systems; they readily receive fish and make them available for purchase shortly thereafter. Although, I think one of the places online does- but that's far more difficult to confirm. Ive lost a wide variety of fish over time- namely, powder blues, emporer angel, clown trigger, achilles tang, square spot male anthias and a goldflake... Some seem to do okay and die rather suddenly... While others won't eat at all and had died after a few days. I'd just recently gotten a bluefaced angel and it looks like it has a large circular bruise on its side.

09/02/2007, 05:17 PM	#10
dareefking Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Metairie Posts: 93	Well that is a variety of fish. I take it you have a pretty large system. Are the fish eating at the store where you purchased them? Could there be any other fish in the system that are causing the new fish to stress? What fish are curretnly in the tank? How long has this tank been set up?