New Fish

[GreenSpottedPuffer]

Originally Posted by naesco

Interesting ethical discussion.

GSP/Fishmaster
Some non reefers are critical of reefers who keep fish and coral in glass boxes.
But reefers all agree that we than have an obligation to provide the optimum conditions for the fish and coral in our care. Nothing less is acceptable. Most reefers resist the urge to buy that colourful purple nudi or whatever because experts have already told us the survival liklihood. To attempt to justify such purchase for the purpose of improving the hobby IMO is nothing more than an attempt to justify a wrong purchase. The fact is that the advances that have been made in fish and coral care are not made by us on this or any other board. The advances in care are being made by scientists and fish and coral experts.

Justin, in fairness, I chose not to reply to his repost.

Sphelps, your tank is beautiful and your photography outstanding, but I would like to know what is happening now as you have had the fish for a few days.
Is he eating? SPS? Significant damage? Is he eating any other food?
How are your SPS reacting?
Would appreciate an update when you can. tks
Wayne Ryan

No one is justifying the wrong purpose. The wrong purchase would have been me if say I bought this fish and put him in my soft coral dominated tank. I actually do have one acro though, so maybe it would have been fine? THAT would be justifying a bad purchase.

Are you actually serious about advances in the hobby being made by scientists? There are relatively few biologists doing anything for this hobby unless its to make a profit. Most marine biologists are not working in the commercial aquarium hobby. Many of the advancements in this hobby have come straight from reefers. These boards are proof of it everyday.

Not to mention, a majority of retailers/manufacturers are on these forums and many, many of the advancements in equipment have come from OUR advice/needs/observations, ect...all from these kind of boards.

[naesco]

Are you actually serious about advances in the hobby being made by scientists? There are relatively few biologists doing anything for this hobby unless its to make a profit. Most marine biologists are not working in the commercial aquarium hobby. Many of the advancements in this hobby have come straight from reefers. These boards are proof of it everyday.

I am absolutely serious. There are marine scientists on marine scientific forums who do nothing but study fish and coral
There are expert marine fish and coral aquarists. I don't have to tell you who they are. We all buy their books. The advances come from scientists to experts and than to us. We should be guided by their advice.

That is not to say that members of this board do not learn from the advice and experience of others on the board. That is its function and the board is doing a great job in educating us all.

[sphelps]

So am I still cruel? Or are we all over that? I'm a little confused with all this talk about scientists and biologists

I think the fish is still adjusting, it seems to stick to one area of the tank and doesn't venture very far, when it first went in it took a few bits from some SPS but I haven't noticed anything since. Not sure how often this guy needs to eat but so far no noticeable damage, it's far too early for that. My one hope is that the fish is not species specific and will only eat polyps from one type of SPS, if it is not I have no concerns.

I will post some macro pictures of some of the corals I find him eating the most, this should allow for some good before and after analysis.

I don't think I will be switching my lighting, I've gone through a lot to get it where I like it, there are 6 39W T5s with reflectors and 2 250W DE halides. I can increase growth and coral vitality with zeovit additives and maintaining high calcium and alkalinity.

I would like to change my setup a little and make room for a larger frag tank and a dosing system which is in my future plans but I can't do it right now. I like the fish but I'm not going to go too far out of my way, if that makes me a bad person so be it, but I'm not any worse than the rest of you.

[mark]

sphelps, just wondering is it taking other food?

[sphelps]

Originally Posted by mark

sphelps, just wondering is it taking other food?

Nope

[fishoholic]

Originally Posted by sphelps

So am I still cruel? Or are we all over that? I'm a little confused with all this talk about scientists and biologists

You bought a fish that you researched first and provided it with the the best case scenario for optimal survival and longevity. If that makes you cruel then I'm crazy!

Wait, maybe I shouldn't go there...