buying fish b4 they're acclimated

I have been on the hunt for a Mandarin. One of the LFS around me told me they are getting a shipment in today (he actually suggested I come in tomorrow - I guess he wants to get his shipment into his tanks).

My question is, given the choice, would it be better to wait and in this way see if the fish is eating, etc. (though I do not think that is as relevant for a mandarin) or to attempt to find a mandarin still in the bag that is fat and buy him before he gets acclimated to the LFS and take my chances that way?

My concern is I do not know if I get a fish that is still in shipping bag if I will kind of automatically substantially lessen my odds of a surviving fish...


Either way, this place does not offer any type of fish warranty or guarantee regardless of what I do.

And no idea if he will even have the fish I want...

 

given that it's a mandarin (feeding) it seems to me it would be less stressful on the fish if you bought him still in the bag that way he isn't acclimated and netted twice.imo

 

One less acclamation equals one less day of stress, but with no guaranee, I would be looking online such as liveaquaria.com where at least you will get a guarantee.

 

hey get him as soon as he comes in before they take him out the bag, its the best way to with pretty much anything, just look through the bag first and make sure he looks healthy

 

I would probably just order online instead. When I get fish I usually go to the shop on the day or day after they get their shipment, watch the fish and how they are acting and if I like one I ask them to hold it for me, I do this because I know they treat their tanks with low dose copper meds also, which I obviously cant put in a reef and when I go pick it up about 3 days after if they still look nice and healthy I take it home and have had no problem since I started this method except once where I bought a blue tang which my yellow tang was bullying, it had come down with what looked like velvet and unfortunately I had to go out of town right after for a few days so couldnt take care of it so I jus made mixtures of rods food, selcon and garlic and put em in a ice tray in the sections and when I came back the fish was back in good health. I just recently bought these 2 fish with this same method http://www.3reef.com/forums/tropica...olor-potters-coral-beauty-same-55g-73508.html. After introducing them to my tank they were eating and doing well within 30 minutes and are still doing great. I know its tempting because your anxious to get your new stuff home whatever it may be. fish/equipment but im sure you know patience is key in this hobby.

 

IMO its not different than ordering online. If he is still in the bag and looking healthy I think it would be better to just acclimate him once. Also the online stores offer Arrive Alive guarantee. Which if he is alive in the bag when you pick him up its the same thing. They don't usually guarantee survival once he is in the tank. The only benefit of having him in the store tanks is you can see if he is eating first.

 

this follows what I was thinking the most... that buying online and their guarantee only goes as far as acquiring the bagged fish... the same as if I picked up a bagged fish at LFS b4 he dumped it in his tanks...

this LFS is the type that would sell me a spotted ray for my FW frog tank if I wanted... very low scruples on this stuff... but they have one heck of a feather selection and I am a sucker for feathers


so from what I am hearing/understanding... the difference between buying online and those guarantees and picking it up at the LFS before they transfer from shipping bag to tank is only going to be shipping costs...

better off trying to get it at LFS...

that's even assuming they have what i want (a tiny male mandarin).

thanks. I'll go to the LFS in a few hours and check it out... I will update later.

Keep the comments coming though, I'll check this thread again b4 i leave.

 

Go for it. For three reasons:
1. As said, less stress.
2. A mandarin isn't going to be "eating" anyways
3. They are more disease resistant then you could imagine. The slime coat on a mandarin is actually toxic, and diseases like ich or velvet wouldn't even attach themselves to one, so the chances of you bringing in a disease on a mandarin is very, very low.

 

Yea I would get it right from the shipping bag - IMO one time stress is better than 2. Just find one that is nice and fat and I think you should be fine

 

Did I miss something in my Mandarin research? I had planned on using my hand to transfer the thing from the bag to the DT (I always avoid netting my fish if I can)... is it toxic to me?

Reckon I should wear gloves!