The legend of Fu-Manchu

He may have died from being fed guppies and stuff like that before you got him. I know that in time feeder guppies and ghost shrimp will have some affect on lionfishs lungs. If fed continually. You may also want to acclimate the new one really really slow. It is a good idea to get the lion before they put it in their tanks. It will save the lion a little stress. Sorry to hear he died.

 

The last Fu was acclimated using the drip method over a period of about 4 hours. I suppose I will let the next one go a bit longer. The food he ate before I got him makes alot of sense, thanks reefman!

On a side note, I've got a blue-green chromis looking like he is getting ready to pass away this morning. I found him stuck to the overflow, and upon freeing him, sank to the bottom. I did notice the chromis nipping at the lion when he started floating around, I wonder if the venom is taking him out? I'm trying to remain calm, but 2 fish in 2 days has me a tad worried.

 

That's an awfully long time to acclimate a fish IMO, sometime the stress caused by doing this can be more harmful than just dumping the fish in the tank.

John

 

I would agree, especially if the fish was shipped any distance. There is alot of waste in the bag after shipping and it becomes qyuite toxic to the fish when exposed to oxygen. I just float to temp, cut the bag, drain the water , and let them slip out of the bag. This results in minimal stress and no slime removal from netting or touching with hands.

When I get a fish from the LFS I float to temp and then if it's from their reef tank it goes in as our tank water is very similar. If it's from a display that they use copper, I mix water in quarters and then dump the water and let the fish slide out of the bag.

My sucess rate has been 100% using these methods.

 

I agree as well on the long drip method. The drip method is geared toward inverts and even then it should only take maybe an hour and a half. Normally with fish I float the bag for 15 minutes cut the bag and add a cup of water every five minutes. Then once the bag gets full I empty 1/4 of it and repeat the cup fillings. Make sure at the LFS your fish is placed in a brown bag and when you get him home be sure not to expose him to bright light. When you start floating him cut your tank lights off and when you get the fish in the tank keep the lights off for a couple of hours. This should insure safe acclimation. It should take around 30-45 minutes to acclimate. I normally don't float then add because of the PH differential in the bag and my tank. It works for Craig though. So whatever you feel comfortable with.

 

Ok, I'll avoid the drip method for the next one. The Fu was from a fish only display tank, and I never trust the water in those cases, even if the guy working that day insists there is no copper-based meds in the tank. To date, I've had 100% success with the drip method and fish, granted, I usually don't go that long, and all the rest of my stock is of heartier varieties. I gladly take the advice of those who have replied as you have lots more experience with this than I do.

On the subject of the chromis, do any of you think that his death may have been linked to nipping at the dead lion? I'm a bit surprised that a fish of the damsel variety turned belly up the very next day. I only wish I could recover the body, between my arrow crab and the serpent star, they have managed to tuck it away somewhere.

 

I think the lion nipping is cause of death for the Chromis.

 

Reefman,

I believe that the Ph is what spikes when the bag water is oxygenated. I've never had a problem with temp have you? I'm always eager to learn from other experiences.

 

Gravit,

I suppose it is possible that the Chromis was poisoned, but it would have had to have nipped one of the Lionfishs poisonous spines or the Lionfish would have had to have speared the Chromis before it then died.

Even though the Chromis is a 'hardy' fish, they do seem to die suddenly anyway, not sure of the reason, it's just my observation.

John

 

I've always thought that PH dropped in th bag. I've never had problems with temp.