Quarantine Time?

[Spyd]

The 2 weeks is not necessary by any means, however, getting them to eat prepared foods before someone buys them is a GREAT thing!!! I just purchased a Copperband and the store trained it to eat Mysis before selling it to me. Much better than buying one, not having it eat, and die.

My Copperband is huge, healthy and eating everything. Even flakes. I couldn't ask for a better job on getting the fish to eat. And it still only cost me $40. Paid a little more because it is a HUGE CB.

[reefbyremote]

The reason I asked the question is that understand some stores that have the fish arrive today/tonight after their long journey from overseas, acclimatize them to their (sometimes low SG) tanks, leave them in darkness overnight, and sell them the next day. Unfortunately my experience with this is not positive. I can understand the need to have cash flow, but I find that approach borderline cruel and imagine losses are high.

But maybe they all do that with a few exceptions like the old Red Coral in Lethbridge. They used to hold the fish for me for a week.

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by reefbyremote

The reason I asked the question is that understand some stores that have the fish arrive today/tonight after their long journey from overseas, acclimatize them to their (sometimes low SG) tanks, leave them in darkness overnight, and sell them the next day. Unfortunately my experience with this is not positive. I can understand the need to have cash flow, but I find that approach borderline cruel and imagine losses are high.

But maybe they all do that with a few exceptions like the old Red Coral in Lethbridge. They used to hold the fish for me for a week.

My experience has been pretty great with this approach. I think how the store acclimates is more important. That said, my LFS will hold a fish for me, but it's in a smaller display tank with who knows what else for fish. Depending on species, I'd even prefer to take the bag home.
I've often helped unpack orders, and when I go back the next day, almost 100% of the fish I unpacked are fine and swimming around, most eating. Far from cruel and no losses, other than the occasional and expected death.
I have seen other store owners just dump the bag into the display, and that results in very high losses, but the store I deal with, and I'm pretty sure the others in town here, all take a lot of time and care acclimating new fish.

[reefwars]

Originally Posted by reefbyremote

But maybe they all do that with a few exceptions like the old Red Coral in Lethbridge. They used to hold the fish for me for a week.

alot of places will hold a fish for you their holding it anyways untill itos bought arnt they??


i personally find fish a risky gamble to a hard earned reef, i prefer fish the minute they arrive.

the only benefit i could see would be to those with no experience or new to the hobby, experienced reefers often have their own techniques and routines they go through...and they dont always match the lfs qt.

i know i rather train fish on to foods my self same with treat for any diseases or parasites.


fish actually ship quite well as most suppliers know what they are doing or they wouldnt be in the supply game , its what happens at the store that stresses these guys out.....crowds,hands,lights,water change...etc etc etc.