Hippo and cardinal fish, Fish loss, 4/1/08
Dear WWM crew, I have lost tons of fish in my 36 gallon tank and I just got everything settled.
<Have you determined the problem?>
I wanted to add a hippo tang and then switch it over to a 125 in a month.
<Why this method? What are you trying to accomplish here?>
Can I add two Banggai cardinals to see if they live before the hippo tang.
Thanks.
<Could but I'm not sure it would prove much.>
<Chris><<Wait till you have the 125... RMF>>

Thornback (Hawaiian) Cowfish, sel.   2/23/08
I am trying to find where I can purchase a Lactoria fornasini. I moved recently and had to get rid of my old setup. I moved from an area with a lot of really good saltwater dealers to an area where not even a regular freshwater aquarium shop seems to be located. I have dealt with Drs. Fosters and Smith and Liveaquaria
<A good outfit>
in the past and have used them again to get my tank set up with live rock and live sand but they currently do not carry the thornback cow. Can you help me find a reliable dealer either in the Memphis Tenn. area or online that would have (or could get) this Cowfish?
<Mmm, I would become familiar with your LFS, ask if they'd be willing to try and special order this fish... out of HI... Quality Marine, Sea Dwelling Creatures, Underwater World (all in LA, off 104th) all have good connections with collectors in the U.S. 50th State... Up to the folks there to find, gather your specimen... for you to stay on top of the order... Alternatively I'd contact the Good Dr.s F & S, Marine Center (.com), and ask them to keep their eyes open for you. Bob Fenner>

Saltwater fish Suppliers   2/19/08
Hello
I am in Chicago retired and relocating to Accra Ghana. I have a reef tanks I was buying fish from flying fish express
<Wow, some time back>
and Dr Foster and Smith, also I read The Conscientious Marine Aquarist. My Question, is there places in England and Germany I can buy fish and coral like foster and smith.
<Mmm, yes... there are such etailers based in Europe>
I have Oceanic 150 gal reef fish and 59 gal coral tanks that I want to take with me but have to give up my ten years old fishes and coral and live rocks to setup my thanks again Can you Help Me please.
Best regards
Rich
<There may be some sources closer to Ghana... Once you get there, do inquire at pet-shops, the colleges, where they get their supplies, livestock. Bob Fenner>

Not a question but a comment... Diving, pet-fishing connect... part. fat fishes in HI    2/9/08
Dear Mr. Fenner
<Aloha Paul>
I have learned a lot on your website and appreciate the wealth of information, as I now have a full blown SPS system everything is growing fantastically.
I just got back from Hawaii (Oahu) and did a lot of SCUBA diving and wanted to make a comment. I always thought I wanted a huge tank for bigger fish but after seeing the tangs and triggers in and around Oahu I have some reservations. I have seen thousands of tanks and not once have I seen fish as fat, thick, and healthy as in this ocean.
<Heeee! Was I swimming by?>
All the Picasso triggers literally looked round like footballs and schools of tangs and triggers in sizes I have never seen in a tank especially nutrient poor SPS tanks. My tank has small fish the biggest topping out at about 3 inches and all are fat but Hawaii was ridiculous.
<Dang that poi, poke and pulled pork sandwiches>
Unicorn tangs that dwarfed any I have ever seen in a tank. Tangs with 5 and 6 inch streamers and Moorish Idols that were huge. Witches Brew in Hanauma Bay and what they refer to as the Pipe were just spectacular and I was told that the other islands were ten times better.
<An exaggeration... maybe five times>
I think I'll stick to the little guys and not be so hung up on coloration of corals, feed more and just do more water changes. I hope all is well as I heard that the Big Island got 4 times as much rain as Oahu,
<Was pouring this eve>
I hope you managed to stay dry and I can't wait to dive Kauai next year. By the way night dives are amazing a little intimidating at first but well worth it. We found a little restaurant called the Sid Street Inn and it was amazing, met a few famous chefs eating here as well probably a good sign. The island definitely has it's own pace and apparently jaywalking is not a good idea.
Thanks
Paul
<What is that quote from Samuel Clemens/Twain (who visited HI BTW) re travel?: Travel is fatal to bigotry, prejudice, and narrow-mindedness... I do wish Geo. Bush Jr. would have travelled out of the country before running for public office. Bob Fenner>

Wild vs. tank raised saltwater fish.. need answer quick! 01/25/2008
Thanks to all of you!
<<Hello, Andrew here>>
I am just beside my self with all the conflicting info I am getting from all my LFS and websites! New to saltwater tanks, this is what I have. It's been up for two months now.
I have a 55 gallon tall tank. 36wx18dx21h. The tank has been up for 8 weeks. Started slowly with 20 lbs. of "local" live rock first. Then added another 50lbs. of "shipped" live rock 2 weeks ago. The tank did a small cycle after the 20 lbs. of "local" and an extreme cycle after the 50 lbs. of "shipped" rock.
Tank has been fully cycled for 16 days now. 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites, 15 nitrates (my LFS says I have 0 nitrates when they tested) .Calcium 360. Salinity 1024. I have a wet dry filter with bio balls, protein skimmer, 2 retrofit lamps with 96 watt each. (1) blue (1) white, and a SunPaq? 96 watt 50/50 lamp. I also have a Rio 2500 as my return pump (turned down) and (2) 295 gph circulating pumps in the tank. Also, one small zoanthid cluster (maybe 75 polyps), doing great!
<<Sounds wonderful>>
I added 3 damsels 2 weeks ago. They are doing great! Eat like piggies! 1 Sally lightfoot, 1 Mexican turbo, 1 red legged hermit, 1-2 blue legged hermits, 1 sand sifting snail. Diatom bloom and green hair algae.
My question is...I have been to EVERY LFS in my area. Most have not been very helpful in my new venture except wanting to sell me something right off the get go. Except one.... They helped me from the very first time I walked in and even came out to look at my tank and my set up (no charge).
<<Sounds like a wonderful fish shop. Good deal>>
They are willing to meet me at the online price I found for a Turbo Twist UV sterilizer, which is $60.00 less than what they sell it for in the store. They have a HUGE store with healthy specimens from what I see. They have taken me around and shown me all different types of fish/livestock and what compatibility and benefits they will do for my tank, etc.. They even sell RO/DI water and Saltwater mix at .50 a gallon! .......
<<Good price>>
My only concern is that they only sell wild caught fish. The "owner" who came to my house to check out my tank told me that they only sell wild caught fish. Is that a bad thing?
<<Yes, it is. Tank-bred specimens should be pushed far far more in the hobby to elevate the uptake from the natural habitat>>
They do a lot of tank set up and maintenance for a lot of doctors' office saltwater tanks here in the area. (I know! Nemo!)
I really want to buy all my fish/inverts from them. The damsels I bought from them are so healthy and doing great! You would not believe all the tanks and the set up they have there! (I live on the East Coast of Florida). Their prices are decent too. I am just scared from what I have read online about wild caught fish. Online says that I shouldn't expect more than 6 month life!
<<Any aquarist first choice of fish should always be a tank-bred specimen if at all possible>>
I am planning on going there tomorrow to get the UV sterilizer, some snails, (Ceriths), a cleaner shrimp, a Blenny, and MAYBE one other community fish? So really that's only 2 fish, one shrimp and snails. Also, I want to try to catch the damsels and take them back tomorrow because I know they will become territorial. Although I will miss them! They are really cute and comical. Have fit in nicely to my tank. I would love to keep them.
<<Simple answer, is not bad in itself, however, the principle of constantly removing from the ocean is always going to have the effect of lowering level of life in the ocean...tank-bred all the way "if possible".>>
Are wild caught fish bad to buy???
Please let me know A.S.A.P! Thank you so much! Raesunrae
<<Thanks for the questions. A Nixon>>

Sweepers  3/30/06
I've have already searched through your website and have not been able to locate any information.  I have a question regarding sweepers, who I believe are in the family Pempheridae.
<Ah, yes....!>
  Why don't you see them offered for sale?
<Good question... hot hard to find in reef, coastal/rocky settings... and easy to catch (have done so)... But don't take to handling well (die easily with scale, slime loss from netting)... and the one real reason: They're "not on the list"... of items/animals folks order/buy through the "chain of custody"... A phenomenon I call the Founder/Flounder Effect... "Folks don't ask for things they don't know about, so they don't see/gain exposure because they didn't get caught, because no one asked for them...">
I see them in reef pictures all the time (usually hovering around a coral head along with various Cardinalfish), so it appears as though they are fairly common.  Are they difficult to keep?
<Have been kept by Public Aquariums off/on... but the vast majority of caught specimens die in a short while...>
Are they similar to the Anthias species in that they need to be frequently fed in order to be successfully kept?  Or do they simply not ship well?
<Good questions... I know naught. Bob Fenner>
Thanks for your help,
Brian Lory

Polynemus... 10/11/05
Hello Bob:
Might you have any information regarding Polynemus paradiseus or could you point me in the correct direction. Thank you,
Jeff Howe
<Hey Jeff! Am out in HI currently... so no print ref.s here... Have never seen this Threadfin sold in the ornamental trade, but have occasionally seen other polynemids at wholesalers... My impression is that they don't do well in captivity. Cheers, Bob Fenner> 

Captive Bred Marine Fish 11/7/07
Hi again guys,
<Hello Mike>
Thanks for all the help setting up my reef tank so far. All is going great (knock wood).
<Great.>
I am interested in adding tank bred live stock (e.g. False Percula, Banner Cardinal). No LFS in my area consistently offer captive bred fish. Can you recommend some on-line providers that are reputable?
<Yes I can. Don't know your whereabouts, but my choices would be:
www.drsfostersmith.com (Wisconsin)
www.premiumaquatics.com (Indiana)
If you live near the West Coast you may try:
www.marine depot.com (California, believe San Diego)><<Mmm, no... OC. RMF>>
Thanks,
<You're welcome. James (Salty Dog)>
Mike