|
|
FAQs about Marine Fishes Selection
Related Articles: Marine Fishes,
Related FAQs: Marine Fishes 1,
Marine Fishes 2, & FAQs on Marine: Fish
Identification, Fish Behavior,
Fish Compatibility, Fish Systems,
Fish Feeding, Fish Disease,
Fish Reproduction,
Ctenochaetus cyanocheilus | 
|
How nice... 4/8/09
I just saw this on Los Angeles Recycler... I can't drive there. I would
end up smacking the guy anyway...
"free 1 gold maroon clown fish and 1 coral banded shrimp. im moving and
don't have the heart to flush ... 951-679-XXXX"
<Mmm, plenty of shops in that area that would gladly take them off his
hands. James (Salty Dog)>
Ban our fish?! What's your view on HR 669? 4/5/09
Dear Mr. Fenner: I know this isn't a political site, but this affects
anyone who has anything to do with the tropical fish hobby.
<Is indeed appropriate here>
If nothing else, I hope this email helps spread the word about this
bill. I haven't seen this issue discussed on your site and was wondering
what the W.W.M crew thought about it.
<This is my first notice>
I'm really troubled by this bill, it has the potential to ban every fish
I currently keep in my tanks. So far it looks like it will pass, with
many in Congress supporting it.
HR 669: To prevent the introduction and establishment of nonnative
wildlife species that negatively impact the economy, environment, or
other animal species' or human health, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Madeleine Z. Bordallo (D) GU
Link to the full bill:
http://www.govit.com/vote/congress.aspx?bill=2009-hr-669
My hope is that by writing this that fellow fish keepers can stop this
misguided (though well intentioned) bill from changing this hobby as we
all know it. Please, if you as a fish keeper disagree with HR 669, write
to
your Representatives in Congress. I have.
Sheryl Niemi
<Thank you for this notice Sheryl... this is indeed very alarming
legislation... In essence, an attempt at establishing a "clean list" of
what would be allowed in... in deference to the present "dirty list" of
species outlawed... Very bad news... more gov't thievery, loss of
personal rights/freedom. Did our founding fathers really intend that the
citizenry
be reduced to serfdom? No... I don't believe this... Fire the gov't...
really. Bob Fenner>
Really? Re: Immediate Clownfish Help! 3-31-09
<That guy is completely wrong, just like most (all, in my experience)
LFS advice...I strongly suggest you purchase livestock from reputable
online vendors and avoid LFS>
<<Wow! RMF is not nearly so didactic... I know of good and poor examples
from both types of outlets>>
Too harsh, eh? I'll tone it down.
<<Mmm, not if this is really how you feel, think? Are you so "pro"
etailer and con retailer? BobF>>
Boston, or even better, South Eastern Massachusetts? LFS,
mail-order exp. 4/1/09
Hi crew,
<Marc>
Is there anyone from the crew that is familiar with Boston, or even
better, South Eastern Massachusetts?
<Mmm, nope>
I was hoping for a referral for a LFS.
<I'd search largely... the bb's, clubs in the area, for input here>
I didn't know if any of you knew of any company that is very reputable.
Also, what do you think of buying fish online?
<One route to go... some benefits poss. (selection, price...) w/ some
shortcomings...>
Have you had any success, I just can't see buying a fish without seeing
it first.
<... see WWM...>
Also, I cant imagine that being a very safe trip for a fish to take.
<"They" take it one way or t/other>
And if you have, would you mind sharing with me company you know of
folks having success with?
Thanks,
Marc
<The folks "here" have centuries of accumulated experience... But I'd
cast your "net" further with reviewing a mass of consumer experience as
stated above. Bob Fenner>
Puffer or Miniatus 10/28/08
Hello.
<Steve.>
Which
makes a better solitary "pet" in a large fish only live rock display:
Porcupine Puffer or Miniatus Grouper?
<Either can be a great pet,
depends on your personal taste.
See
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/c_miniata.htm and
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/diodontpuffers.htm for more specific info on
each.>
Thanks, Steve
<Welcome, Scott V.>
Re: Puffer or Miniatus 10/29/08
Thanks Scott, yes have read
up on the Specific Info section and visit the faq's regularly for new
situations...
<Great.>
Regarding the Miniatius, have been
forewarned that they can be reclusive even after extensive time. Sounds
like they're not as social as the Puffer?
<They are not in general,
the puffers certainly are more fun to watch IMO. This is not to say the
fish will always be hiding.>
Regarding Puffer, can either 2
Porcupines (or any other puffer) co-habitate or will they forever nip
each other?
<Have seen it done in larger tanks or with smaller
specimens. For the most part the more mature the puffers are, the more
territorial; the more they will fight.>
Steve
<Scott V.>
John Dory, search for specimens... 7/23/08
Hello Bob!!
<Hey Robert!>
It has been a while!! I am still plugging away in
this wonderful industry!! I really shouldn't complain, there are so
many things I love about it- if I could just do it without
customers!!
<Heeee! A common refrain>
Anyway, I thought I
would attempt to tap into that vast knowledge of yours. I have a fun
project in Manhattan where we are putting in 2 36' diameter
spherical aquariums 12' above the sidewalk (outdoors!!). The project
is for a restaurant where there will also be a 1,000-gallon tank
behind a bar. These are the fun projects!!
<Yes!>
The name of
the restaurant is the 'John Dory'- a popular food fish (never had
one, so I cannot comment on the choice of names for the restaurant).
<And a very interesting looking species as well>
In the bar
aquarium they would like to have a school of John Dorys as it is
their logo, etc. I have been hunting for them for the last 3 months
through livestock vendors and transhippers, but to no avail! My
customer is getting anxious, so I thought of you!
<Mmm, thank
you... Going to be a tough one I'm afraid... I would call on any
relations you have with public aquariums... Likely Joe Yaiullo at
Atlantis Aquarium on Long Island... perhaps the New York Aquarium...
for whom they may know who might be able to supply, or help you find
a supplier... of which species:
http://fishbase.org/ComNames/CommonNameSearchList.php Hopefully
there is a fisher connection somewhere that can help with expediting
not too damaged wild-caught specimens...>>
I can find them
available frozen, but not alive! I imagine they would never be a
very popular fish for keeping in home aquaria, but I believe that
from the research that I have done they are popular in public
aquarius, etc.
<Yes... Have seen them... just need to make
contact...>
I know you have a lot of contacts in the public
aquarium industry, and would love to know if anybody you know might
be able to source this fish for me?
<Try the above. Say hello for
me to JoeY>
There are details below on the fish. Anything you can
do, or direction you can point me in would be much appreciated.
Thanks Bob, and I guess we'll see you at MACNA if not sooner!
All the best,
Rob
<Look fwd to seeing, chatting with you in
Atlanta. BobF>
Robert A. Bray
President
House of Fins
99
& 209 Bruce Park Avenue
Greenwich, CT 06830
www.houseoffins.com
Re: John Dory
Thanks Bob,
I will call Joe- that is a
great idea (right in my backyard, the last one I would have thought
of!!). Thanks Bob.
See you soon!
<Oh yes! BobF>
Rob |
Buying Saltwater Fish Online...Is It Worth It? – 07/22/08
*If you
don't have time to respond to this, please at least point me in the
right direction*.
<<it is our policy to respond to “all” queries>>
Hi,
<<Nick>>
I've been looking for a cheaper place to buy
saltwater fish than the local pet stores, so I'm now checking out online
retailers.
<<I’m not going to tell you that you shouldn’t buy
livestock off the Internet (do it myself from time to time), but unless
your local stores are just bad (e.g. – poorly maintained facilities,
diseased and/or damaged livestock, etc.) or are not willing to work with
you on special orders, this is often false economy for more reasons that
just price>>
Most of the online vendors I've looked into charge a
huge shipping fee that would seem to negate any benefit from the cheaper
price of the fish.
<<Some have a flat-rate shipping charge which can
translate to savings on large orders, and some have “free shipping” on
very large orders…but you’re right, most of the time the livestock ends
up costing within a few dollars of buying at your LFS…and without the
benefit of getting to see it’s condition, and see it eat, before
buying>>
Would it even be cost effective to buy, say, $100 of fish or
less at an online retailer as opposed to a local pet store?
<<In some
instances, yes…in my opinion. Many options to weigh here though... Are
the selected species not commonly available locally? If not, can/will
your local store special order? Will your local store price-match or
give you a “break” on price for large orders (many will do “something”
to keep your business off the Internet)? Will your store hold
special-orders for a few days to make sure they are OK and feeding? And
not least…is saving $10.00 or less (after shipping) on a fish bought
sight-unseen that may not even be what you ordered when it arrives worth
the possible loss of goodwill between you and your LFS?>>
If so, what
are the most reputable online dealers, and who's got the best value
overall including shipping?
<<Ask three people and you’re likely to
get three different answers. For me, LiveAquaria.com and
PetSolutions.com have provided good livestock and good value…and great
customer service>>
I'm sure this question has probably been asked
thousands of times already,
<<Likely so>>
but after searching for
a good bit I couldn't seem to find it anywhere-please help if you can.
<<I hope I have>>
Thanks,
Nick
<<Happy to share. EricR>>
Re: Buying Saltwater Fish Online...Is It Worth It? – 07/24/08
Great points- thanks for the advice!
<<Quite welcome>>
I guess
I'll probably stick with our local fish stores then.
<<After some
examination, this very often is the best choice>>
Thanks again,
Nick
<<Happy to help. Eric Russell>>
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
|
|
