Buying Fish

Something Fishy · 01-13-2004, 10:12 PM

(When it comes time) I know I still have 2 weeks I am just searching and researching.

Is it better to buy fish online or from a local fish shop. We went to the one specialty shop here in town and they have some tank raised Clowns. False Percs I am almost positive. I was so excited watching them I didn't even hear which they were. They were beautiful. They were young very lively. No signs of illness.

It was very difficult not to buy any, but with the fear of killing them we walked away. Well she dragged me, but we didn't buy any.

Anyway, now that you are bored. What is better buying fish online or at a LFS?

Thanks for your help as always,
Rusty

Fish I am thinking of: 2 Clowns (leaning towards false percs), jawfish, possibly cardinal fish, dottyback, and maybe a butterfly.
These fish going by what the book ( The Conscientists Marine ). Should all be decent together, and if I stay with a small butterfly specicies shouldn't over load.

ReefLady · 01-13-2004, 10:45 PM

Not bored.

Quote:

What is better buying fish online or at a LFS?

Actually, the answer to that question depends on a few factors.

Does your LFS have the fish you want to buy? If not, will they special order it?

Are they generally a good/ethical/clean, "well-kept" store?

Will they hold the fish for you for a week-10 days after it is received, to make sure it eats, and it free of disease?

If the answers to most of these questions are yes, then use the LFS. For fish in particular, I prefer the LFS. I like to see what I'm getting - I like to pick the fish that looks healthiest, without shrunken bellies or ragged fins. And just avoiding the additional leg of shipping is less stressful.

If most of the answers to the questions above, are "no" - many people do buy online with a good survival rate. Pick a reputable MO dealer (cheapest is not always the best!). Ask around for experiences.

Before you purchase any fish, establish a small (10g) quarantine tank. This should be used for all new fish acquisitions, and will save you numerous headaches down the road.

Good luck!

Something Fishy · 01-13-2004, 10:46 PM

Even with no fish in the tank should I quarantine?

SaltyQueen · 01-13-2004, 10:48 PM

i would- if you have live rock or inverts, something could get in the water, & it would be difficult to treat the main tank (most medications will kill inverts).

Something Fishy · 01-13-2004, 10:49 PM

I knew it would be possible for me to kill live rock,

Oh wait I just proved the wife right again.

ReefLady · 01-13-2004, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Even with no fish in the tank should I quarantine?

Yep, what SQ said. If the fish develop Ich, or something which needs to be treated with medication, not only can you not do it in the display tank, but it's horrid to try and catch fish in a tank full of LR.

Much better to watch them in QT for a couple weeks, and medicate there if necessary.

HTH,

VINA DEL MAR · 01-13-2004, 11:07 PM

Best to quarantine any fish you get.The best quarantine tank I have is a 20 gl tank bare bottom and a piece of eggcrate(plastic)to hold some aquatic plastic plants for the fish to hide.Moderate lighting not too strong!And copper treatment according to product recommendations.Keep the fish in the tank for 2 weeks make sure is eating and free of diseases!VINA

NaH2O · 01-13-2004, 11:55 PM

Not to go against the grain here, but here is an interesting thread on quarantining new arrivals:

Do you quarantine?

SaltyQueen · 01-14-2004, 01:26 AM

I never used to, but just started to recently after a friend had an ich outbreak from not QT-ing. don't want to have the same problem!

BoomerD · 01-14-2004, 02:57 AM

I prefer to buy fish from one of the few good LFS that I do business with. I like to see how healthy they look, if they are eating, and if they show any signs of disease. I used to do a lot of mail order fish business back when I bred discus & angels, (no internet!) and never had a problem, but usually was dealing with people I knew or had friends who knew them. I recently got involved with a "group buy" from one of the larger on-line fish dealers, and it's been a nightmare. Several people had fish that died, the order was shipped to more than 1 place, (delivery error) and about 1/2 of the order didn't even come in. Might be several weeks till it's all filled. Not a great experience.
I am a firm believer in quarantining ALL fish. I do not advocate copper for all fish, because many fish are highly sensitive to copper. Angels & tangs are among the list. Quarantining will not completely remove any possibility of ich (I just had an outbreak in a tank with NO new fish due to a heater failure!) or other infestation, but it will greatly improve your chances.
Try to find a good reputable LFS in your area. One that knows your set-up & experience, that remembers what fish you have, and might even try to keep you from buying fish that are not compatble with your current set-up/livestock. I drive about 80 miles to do business with one I trust.

wooddood · 01-14-2004, 07:49 AM

i've never bought a fish online before but i know alot have and have had good success,but as stated above i would find a good lfs that will hold a fish for you for a week to make sure its gonna survive.personally i have never quarantined a new fish and know i should but have been lucky so far.i would suggest it.

mwrager · 01-14-2004, 12:21 PM

Rusty

I have always bought fish from my LFS, if they dont have something I want I ask them if they can get it in for me.

Good Post RL.

Mark

johnlewis · 01-14-2004, 01:23 PM

I agree with BoomerD, I will get mine from a FS but I would not call it LFS it's about 40 miles away but the quality is very high and the staff very knowledgeable. I have used online dealers as well, and had good experiences with both. As for quarantining there are some very good suggestion listed but I would not use copper if it's not needed. I believe if it's not broke don't try and fix it, there is a LFS in my area that uses copper in all of it's FOTs, and they have many fish they die. When I was in the business I would unpack the fish and separate them away from display tanks with very low light for 24-48 hours and I was very successful without any medication. I routinely would bring in 30-50 fish at a time.

Scooterman · 01-14-2004, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Something Fishy
(When it comes time) I know I still have 2 weeks I am just searching and researching. .

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-01/eb/index.htm

I just read this atricle, this I strongly urge you to read the part of cycling!

Something Fishy · 01-14-2004, 06:23 PM

In reading that article I am going to be waiting 6 months to a year before adding any fish? This is the first place I have read this. In the book " The Consceinist Marine Aquairist " it shows adding fish at about the 32-34 day depending on tank "cycling".

I understand their concept and it makes sense. When we do add fish it will be at least a month probably two before any more fish are add to the tank. Due to if I have any problem I would rather kill one or two than kill 5-6. I am not going to even think about attempting corals for atleast another year.

Did anyone else wait 6 months or longer to add fish? Is this a new concept or have I just not come across it? I haven't read about it anywhere else?

Very good post, has me thinking now.

Thanks.

01-13-2004, 10:12 PM	#1 (permalink)
Something Fishy Limpet Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Springfield, Mo Posts: 125 View Gallery Karma Komment	Buying Fish (When it comes time) I know I still have 2 weeks I am just searching and researching. Is it better to buy fish online or from a local fish shop. We went to the one specialty shop here in town and they have some tank raised Clowns. False Percs I am almost positive. I was so excited watching them I didn't even hear which they were. They were beautiful. They were young very lively. No signs of illness. It was very difficult not to buy any, but with the fear of killing them we walked away. Well she dragged me, but we didn't buy any. Anyway, now that you are bored. What is better buying fish online or at a LFS? Thanks for your help as always, Rusty Fish I am thinking of: 2 Clowns (leaning towards false percs), jawfish, possibly cardinal fish, dottyback, and maybe a butterfly. These fish going by what the book ( The Conscientists Marine ). Should all be decent together, and if I stay with a small butterfly specicies shouldn't over load. Last edited by Something Fishy : 01-13-2004 at 10:43 PM.

01-13-2004, 11:07 PM	#7 (permalink)
VINA DEL MAR Torch coral Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: NJ Posts: 514 View Gallery Karma Komment	Best to quarantine any fish you get.The best quarantine tank I have is a 20 gl tank bare bottom and a piece of eggcrate(plastic)to hold some aquatic plastic plants for the fish to hide.Moderate lighting not too strong!And copper treatment according to product recommendations.Keep the fish in the tank for 2 weeks make sure is eating and free of diseases!VINA __________________ 90 gl. reef ready all glass tank,sump capacity 15 gl,2 400 watts radium bulbs,2 03 actinics 110 watts VHO,2 50/50 110 VHO,ozone reactor,sterilizer and the most important of all;Lots of love for my tank!

01-13-2004, 11:55 PM	#8 (permalink)
NaH2O Contributing Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 1,929 View Gallery Karma Komment	Not to go against the grain here, but here is an interesting thread on quarantining new arrivals: Do you quarantine? __________________ ~Nikki~

01-14-2004, 02:57 AM	#10 (permalink)
BoomerD Reef Shark Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 5,638 View Gallery Karma Komment	I prefer to buy fish from one of the few good LFS that I do business with. I like to see how healthy they look, if they are eating, and if they show any signs of disease. I used to do a lot of mail order fish business back when I bred discus & angels, (no internet!) and never had a problem, but usually was dealing with people I knew or had friends who knew them. I recently got involved with a "group buy" from one of the larger on-line fish dealers, and it's been a nightmare. Several people had fish that died, the order was shipped to more than 1 place, (delivery error) and about 1/2 of the order didn't even come in. Might be several weeks till it's all filled. Not a great experience. I am a firm believer in quarantining ALL fish. I do not advocate copper for all fish, because many fish are highly sensitive to copper. Angels & tangs are among the list. Quarantining will not completely remove any possibility of ich (I just had an outbreak in a tank with NO new fish due to a heater failure!) or other infestation, but it will greatly improve your chances. Try to find a good reputable LFS in your area. One that knows your set-up & experience, that remembers what fish you have, and might even try to keep you from buying fish that are not compatble with your current set-up/livestock. I drive about 80 miles to do business with one I trust. Last edited by BoomerD : 01-14-2004 at 03:01 AM.

01-14-2004, 07:49 AM	#11 (permalink)
wooddood the wood dude Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: marion. INDIANA Posts: 3,457 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	i've never bought a fish online before but i know alot have and have had good success,but as stated above i would find a good lfs that will hold a fish for you for a week to make sure its gonna survive.personally i have never quarantined a new fish and know i should but have been lucky so far.i would suggest it. __________________ 120 gal/in wall tank/starboard substraight/2 250 watt 10k xm metal halides/ 4 55watt 03 actinics/150lbs lr/scwd on return/scwd on a closed loop/aquaclear aquatics 200 pro wetdry w/skimmer. ask all the questions you have if we cant answer it we'll make up some thing. remember patience is the key to a kick ass reef. dave.

01-13-2004, 10:46 PM	#3 (permalink)
Something Fishy Limpet Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Springfield, Mo Posts: 125 View Gallery Karma Komment	Even with no fish in the tank should I quarantine?

01-13-2004, 10:48 PM	#4 (permalink)
SaltyQueen Scopas Tang Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 400 View Gallery Karma Komment	i would- if you have live rock or inverts, something could get in the water, & it would be difficult to treat the main tank (most medications will kill inverts).

01-13-2004, 10:49 PM	#5 (permalink)
Something Fishy Limpet Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Springfield, Mo Posts: 125 View Gallery Karma Komment	I knew it would be possible for me to kill live rock, Oh wait I just proved the wife right again.

01-14-2004, 01:26 AM	#9 (permalink)
SaltyQueen Scopas Tang Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 400 View Gallery Karma Komment	I never used to, but just started to recently after a friend had an ich outbreak from not QT-ing. don't want to have the same problem!

01-14-2004, 12:21 PM	#12 (permalink)
mwrager Elegance coral Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Gilbert AZ Posts: 1,068 View Gallery Karma Komment	Rusty I have always bought fish from my LFS, if they dont have something I want I ask them if they can get it in for me. Good Post RL. Mark __________________ Mark Some days I realy feel old! http://www.reefsanctuary.com/Banners/RS_banner3.gif

01-14-2004, 01:23 PM	#13 (permalink)
johnlewis Scopas Tang Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brighton, MI USA Posts: 448 View Gallery Karma Komment	I agree with BoomerD, I will get mine from a FS but I would not call it LFS it's about 40 miles away but the quality is very high and the staff very knowledgeable. I have used online dealers as well, and had good experiences with both. As for quarantining there are some very good suggestion listed but I would not use copper if it's not needed. I believe if it's not broke don't try and fix it, there is a LFS in my area that uses copper in all of it's FOTs, and they have many fish they die. When I was in the business I would unpack the fish and separate them away from display tanks with very low light for 24-48 hours and I was very successful without any medication. I routinely would bring in 30-50 fish at a time.

01-14-2004, 06:23 PM	#15 (permalink)
Something Fishy Limpet Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Springfield, Mo Posts: 125 View Gallery Karma Komment	In reading that article I am going to be waiting 6 months to a year before adding any fish? This is the first place I have read this. In the book " The Consceinist Marine Aquairist " it shows adding fish at about the 32-34 day depending on tank "cycling". I understand their concept and it makes sense. When we do add fish it will be at least a month probably two before any more fish are add to the tank. Due to if I have any problem I would rather kill one or two than kill 5-6. I am not going to even think about attempting corals for atleast another year. Did anyone else wait 6 months or longer to add fish? Is this a new concept or have I just not come across it? I haven't read about it anywhere else? Very good post, has me thinking now. Thanks.

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