Liveaquaria changes 14 day policy

[Mattrg02]

I’m curious about whether or not this unreliability some of us are seeing is recent? How many LA supporters have bought fish in the last year?

 

[Mattrg02]

I have not found any copper in their water, but I also have heard conflicting answers from them about that.

If they had copper in the water, would it take 30 days for a fish to die from that? That's really the part that's giving me pause...why is it most of the fish die between days 21-30?

What does copper do to them? Cyanide harms the liver or kidneys I believe, which can take up to 30 days to kill. Fish won’t show any signs either. They just die suddenly. Like mine.

All of them would eat the same day I added them. They swam around and went about their business. Some died 3 - 4 days later. Most died around day 13. A few died after 14 day time.

 

[408Dartfish]

I’m curious about whether or not this unreliability some of us are seeing is recent? How many LA supporters have bought fish in the last year?

I have gotten around 15 fish from Live aquaria since May this year. Have had 1 DOA from Wisconsin biota mandarin and 1 helfrichi firefish lived about 10 weeks. Rest of them are doing great so far.

 

[ihavecrabs]

I’m curious about whether or not this unreliability some of us are seeing is recent? How many LA supporters have bought fish in the last year?

I have. Just promoted to the DT today actually.

 

[Dr. Reef Verified Sponsor]

This year starting from january till today I have purchased probably about 30 some fish from live aquaria. About 75% died in quarantine.
Most of them were purely under observation and not even medication

 

[wesman42]

This year starting from january till today I have purchased probably about 30 some fish from live aquaria. About 75% died in quarantine.
Most of them were purely under observation and not even medication

That is so strange!
It sounds like nobody else is having an issue on such a large scale as this. It always seems like maybe 1-2 fish out of a few die, if there are any deaths.

I've ordered and prophylactically treated around 10 fish through LA so far. It was spread into batches, though. I haven't lost a single fish through them (yet).

My LFS is a different story though. They'll sell you a fish right out of the bag, then there's no refunds. At least LA has a 14 day guarantee.

 

[Dr. Reef Verified Sponsor]

I changed to fishy business and saltwaterfish last 3 orders and only 5% deaths. Same qt setup nothing changed.
My personal obsession is fish I got from LA looked sick small and not so active while others I received are more active healthy and better in size.

 

[wesman42]

I changed to fishy business and slatwaterfish last 3 orders and only 5% deaths. Same qt setup nothing changed.
My personal obsession is fish I got from LA looked sick small and not so active while others I received are more active healthy and better in size.

Do we know for a fact that fishy business and saltwater fish don't use Quality Marine? Or are you saying they take better care of the fish before being able to sell them?

 

[Dr. Reef Verified Sponsor]

Saltwaterfish box is drop shipped from a wholesaler and it's not quality marines as I have googled the address before.
Fishybiz not sure as it had their own address on the box.

 

[wesman42]

Saltwaterfish box is drop shipped from a wholesaler and it's not quality marines as I have googled the address before.
Fishybiz not sure as it had their own address on the box.

Okay...I just had no idea! Do you have any conjectures as far as what the deal with LAs mortality rate is?

 

[Dr. Reef Verified Sponsor]

Most of mine had internal or external parasites on arrival. I am speculating that they might have gone through an outbreak.

 

[ihavecrabs]

Most of mine had internal or external parasites on arrival. I am speculating that they might have gone through an outbreak.

Interesting.

Can you share what type of fish died on you? I'd be interested to compare it to the other lists provided above. See if there were any similarities

 

[alton]

I’m curious about whether or not this unreliability some of us are seeing is recent? How many LA supporters have bought fish in the last year?[/QUOTE

In the last two years here is a list of some in random order
Two Flame angels from Xmas Islands all perished within a week, went back and ordered two from Vanuatu and created a pair.
Chevron Tang from Xmas Islands perished in same fate, Chevron Tang from Hawaii doing great!
Four Regal Angels from Maldives doing great
Blue Face Angel from Maldives doing great
Blue Face Juvenile from Sumatra dong great getting her adult colors
Flame Wrasse Hawaii doing great
White Tail Tang doing great
Black Tang doing great
African Imperator doing great
Tail Spot Blenny doing great
Zebra and Scarlet crabs all doing well
Most fish go into more of an observation tank loaded with liverock, if I see something I can easily transfer into a medicated temporary tank. Freshwater dip and Prazi Pro bath before observation tank. I have not used copper in years.
Large Tank for Angels

29 for everything else

 

[TheHarold]

Most of mine had internal or external parasites on arrival. I am speculating that they might have gone through an outbreak.

Are there any other people that have shared your experience? Because by far the majority of people who order from liveaquarua are happy with their fish.

 

[TheHarold]

In the last two years here is a list of some in random order
Two Flame angels from Xmas Islands all perished within a week, went back and ordered two from Vanuatu and created a pair.
Chevron Tang from Xmas Islands perished in same fate, Chevron Tang from Hawaii doing great!
Four Regal Angels from Maldives doing great
Blue Face Angel from Maldives doing great
Blue Face Juvenile from Sumatra dong great getting her adult colors
Flame Wrasse Hawaii doing great
White Tail Tang doing great
Black Tang doing great
African Imperator doing great
Tail Spot Blenny doing great
Zebra and Scarlet crabs all doing well
Most fish go into more of an observation tank loaded with liverock, if I see something I can easily transfer into a medicated temporary tank. Freshwater dip and Prazi Pro bath before observation tank. I have not used copper in years.
Large Tank for Angels

29 for everything else

I have had a similarly positive experience with liveaquaria. I wonder if the OP’s tank or procedures may cause the issue, rather than LA.

 

[Dr. Reef Verified Sponsor]

I have triple tank qt system. Been practicing qt and medications on fish for almost 30 yrs.
It's funny I changed vendors and survival rate goes up from 25% to 90%.
Nothing changed except vendor.

 

[4FordFamily]

I have had some issues with LA this year as well, significantly more than in recent memory. That said, they’ve made it right and were great to deal with.

In fairness to them, I order expert level and difficult to keep fish that are much riskier up front and have done more of that recently.

I’ve had issues with other vendors as well, it’s not isolated to LA.

I will say that my experience with bluezoo aquatics was positive and I was not previously a fan at all.

 

[Dr. Reef Verified Sponsor]

Not say my overall experience with LA is bad but just recently it's been bad.

 

[Victoria M]

Most of mine had internal or external parasites on arrival. I am speculating that they might have gone through an outbreak.

I can agree with this. I purchased 2 tank bred clowns, 4 tank bred azure damsels, 1 pyramid butterfly, and 1 flame hawk. The clowns, and azure damsels looked great at first, then the next day or so saw flukes on a clown. The clowns and 2 azure damsels died within a few days, and then the butterfly died. I will not ever purchase and QT tank bred and wild caught fish together again. I might try ordering fish from them again because of their guarantee and customer service was excellent. I did order a CUC that comes in on Friday. But truthfully I prefer getting critters from my LFS.

 

[dragonfisher33]

The fish orders are hit and miss. But for live brine shrimp delivery: it’s 0/4 for me. Ordered 4 times at different time of the year and always receive the mushed/melted brown yucky bag of death.