cowfish cautions

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by EmilyB

I don't think some of us are supposed to say anything...

[Troy F]

After seeing the list of your fish, the advice of the store you went to becomes even worse. If it were me, I'd never do business with them again. As well as visiting the board (a good start to getting advice from experienced people not selling you anything), I'd suggest reading some books and getting involved with your local hobbyists.

Brad has given some good advice. If you're experiencing aggression between the yellow tangs (a common problem), your best bet would be to remove the most aggressive and fine a new home for it. Repeat as neccessary and you may just end up with one. Tangs of the same genus often don't tolerate one another.

Oh yeah, Welcome to the board

[Quinn]

I wonder if the black/white butterfly is in fact a Heniochus? Not that that changes anything.

I think I know what LFS we're talking about here...

[Aquamarina]

I am sorry there has been some strife, apparently over a concern about hurting my feelings. I am aware that I am a raw beginner, literally thrown in at the deep end of the tank, and constructive criticism and advice are what I need! So please don't worry--I will stick my head in the aquarium if I feel demoralized! I am guessing what "LFS" is, but would like to know for sure...

To answer a couple of queries:
I think the butterfly is a Heniochus, but not quite like the picture.

The tangs are about 5" nose to tail. Not quite sure how I would remove one as they slide into the narrowest crannies. The wrasse and the trigger are similar sizes at about 6-7".

What is "nori"? I have been feeding frozen food of several different sorts, eg. plankton, mysis shrimp, emerald entree, marine cuisine, salt water multi-pak, bloodworms. I usually feed one cube of each, once daily. A prof. fish guy who came to help me in the quarantine tank emergency told me the fish look healthy, the tangs are a great colour, and the water quality is excellent.

Filtration: the bio ball tower is 18x8x39" and drips into another tank full of bio balls 10x8x20" on its way to the recirc. tank.
Protein skimmer is a Remora AquaC, EV 240 (I found the instructions on the internet and am going by the picture and the dimensions quoted) installed in 2000.

I do a 10% change once a month, and even just before the change, the water tests out ok (pH, ammonia, nitrite, nitrate).

Thanks again for your interest!

[Quinn]

LFS = Local Fish Store

[Aquattro]

I think the strife is over which LFS (local fish store) gave you the advice to add all those fish. Apparently there are sensitive feelings about the various stores in Calgary, each having it's group of support/opposition :-)

Based on those sizes of fish, I'd get used to the ones you have and not add more.

Oh, nori is a seaweed used to wrap sushi. It is the same as the pricey fish seaweed, just a lot cheaper. You can get it at your local grocer.

[Trevor Robertson]

I would like to say welcome to the board. Please feel free to ask any question that you have as we/you are dealing with live animals here and we would all like to see the best enviroment for that animal that is possible. There are no stupid questions (at least not ones that you can hear us laphing at you any way

Welcome and ask away!

Enjoy the board I know that this has become a very great source of info for me when setting up and adding fish to my tank!