Kole Tang Keepers

How long is it going to be in the bag?Does your supplier add 02 to the bag or just compressed air??I have always floated my fish for 5-10 minutes and dump them in.They freak out while they are in the bag.Why would I want them in there longer then is necessary?The faster I can get them breathing my clean tank water the better.Filthy lfs.lol

 

It does not sound like it was the acclimation process that killed it since it sounds like it happened a day or two later. Depending on shipping, it can be a very stressful process and the fish could have been doomed before you even got it. It is always my preference to be able to see the fish in the LFS and to watch it eat before i purchase. That being said, many have success having theirs shipped from Liveaquaria and others, however i think you will find that they all expect a certain amount of shipping loss. Always sad to loose a fish, particularly one you have been waiting for. A Kole tang is certainly on my list!

 

agreed

 

That is a fresh water fish acclimation method. You should always drip acclimate saltwater fish in a dark room.

 

My first SW tank several years ago I tried floating the bag and adding water for a bit but could not get a fish to live until I tried the drip method. So that is what i have done and usually have success.

I actually got him from a LFS which had him for 2 weeks. I gave him a good look over and he didn't have any negative signs and he was eating. I was thinking of trying Liveaquaria next time since they have the 14 day guarantee, which i am sure there are loopholes in, but maybe I will have better luck. And i am bummed, even more so since I had been looking for one for months.

 

Happened to my Naso - got it from a store. Watched it eat - seemed fine. with in a few days in QT gone. I acclimate all my fish the same way and have had success doing it. I float my fish 10-15 min to bring the temp up, then put them in a bucket, I run a slow drip till water is 50% tank water, then I take a few cups out and let it drip again until the water is mostly my water. I usually don't use a net, I can usually take the fish with my hand and drop in the tank.

 

Pretty much exactly what I do/did. except the net part.

 

Been floating and dumping for over 30 years.

 

I don't know if I have the balls to go with that method unless it is a damsel, which could probably live in a toilet.

I know temperature is a big factor for acclimation. Salinity is as well. What else really stresses fish in acclimation? Besides light since I just learned this. What about adjusting QT tank salinity to what the shipping water is and once in QT adjusting the salinity over a week to the DT salinity? while in the dark? And dumping over? Just a thought on a possible solution. This would be as quick as your "float and dump" and possibly reduce stress from salinity.

Any other suggestions?

 

I would lean more toward the QT being the issue then the acclimating or shipping of the tang.