Question about watanabei angel

g8rorchid · May 31, 2017

I just purchased a female watanabei angel from Diver's Den. I am aware that they QT and medicate these fish. My question is this, since she will have gone through this process, should I add her to the DT to swim freely, put her in an acclimation box, or QT? I don't know if this fish is easily stressed out and if she would benefit from going into the DT right away or if she should be QT'd and for how long? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!!

lilchris_357 · May 31, 2017

Honestly I would QT to allow her to calm down from the trip, and make sure she's eating. Watanabei's are finicky eaters. You'll want to give her an environment where she can eat without competing for food. That's just my 2 cents, definitely wait for the experts to chime in. This will give you the opportunity to watch her for any issues that may come up.

Leslie Tabor · May 31, 2017

When I was looking at getting mine, QT was something not generally recommended. I had a lot of luck using an acclimation box I got from ZoaCollector, it really let the girls settle in without being bullied. And let my pushy fish get over them being in the tank. It was a very smooth release into my DT.

saltyhog · May 31, 2017

DD doesn't actually quarantine, they "condition" fish. Mainly they get them eating some prepared foods.

Mine did great in QT.

eatbreakfast · Jun 1, 2017

saltyhog said:
DD doesn't actually quarantine, they "condition" fish. Mainly they get them eating some prepared foods.

Mine did great in QT.

100%. DD is not a true qt. If you want to ensure keeping the dt disease free then qt is a must.

g8rorchid · Jun 1, 2017

Thank you for the replies! I have read that DD keeps their salinity at 1.025 and that I shouldn't drip acclimate, just float the bag for temperature's sake. Is this true? How do you recommend putting her in the QT? I am also expecting a fish from Live Aquaria today (orange spotted blenny). Is it necessary to QT a blenny? If so, I read that they keep their salinity at 1.018 and should drip acclimate that fish. They will both be going in the same QT. Any more thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks again!

eatbreakfast · Jun 1, 2017

g8rorchid said:
Thank you for the replies! I have read that DD keeps their salinity at 1.025 and that I shouldn't drip acclimate, just float the bag for temperature's sake. Is this true? How do you recommend putting her in the QT? I am also expecting a fish from Live Aquaria today (orange spotted blenny). Is it necessary to QT a blenny? If so, I read that they keep their salinity at 1.018 and should drip acclimate that fish. They will both be going in the same QT. Any more thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks again!

Do not drip acclimate fish in the water they have been shipped in!

I personally never acclimate any fish, but if you decide to drip acclimate, then I suggest getting the salinity in qt to match the salinity they were shipped in. In this case, with water of 2 different salinities, make up a little water of each in it's own seperate bucket, net the fish into their corresponding buckets, and drip acclimate.

g8rorchid · Jun 1, 2017

The blenny arrived DOA

saltyhog · Jun 1, 2017

On the occasion I get fish from DD and another source on the same day I've approached it two different ways.

#1 With places like Blue Zoo which ship about 1.021 or so I set the QT salinity half way between and float and introduce. Never had any problems.

#2 With DD and LA the same day I set up two 10 gallons with the appropriate salinity and then slowly bring up the LA tank to DD salinity and then start TTM. 10 gallon aquariums are 10 bucks at Petco. Well worth it (I keep 3 on hand....then I don't have to be in such a hurry to break down the just vacated tank during TTM)

Sorry to hear about the blenny!

g8rorchid · Jun 1, 2017

Thanks, I was super bummed. I put some frozen food in the QT, but she didn't eat. How long does it usually take for angels to start eating/acclimate to a QT?

smokin'reefer · Jun 1, 2017

I just got one of these angels from my lfs. Bueatiful fish.
My lfs usually does a good job of observing and putting in copper treatment if needed.
I had to use a mirror to distract mainly my sailfin tang from harassing her. I also shut the lights down for the rest of the day to help. The next day everyone was cool with each other. I didn't have any problem getting her to eat but she had already been settled some at lfs before I brought her home.

Good luck.

Maritimer · Jun 1, 2017

g8rorchid said:
Thanks, I was super bummed. I put some frozen food in the QT, but she didn't eat. How long does it usually take for angels to start eating/acclimate to a QT?

Sorry to read about the blenny ... they're such cool fish.

I've generally had angels at least experiment with food within a day or two. The Watanabe's will be more interested in food that's floating than in stuff on the floor - experiment. Try a few different things to see what she likes. DD posted a list on their site, of what they generally feed during their conditioning period - use that as a starting point.

Live brine and blackworms may help to jump-start, if needed.

~Bruce

g8rorchid · Jun 1, 2017

Thanks for the replies, I appreciate everyone taking the time to do so. Unfortunately, she didn't make it :'( She was breathing heavy the whole time. I was hoping it was temporary stress and it would pass, but it didn't. I'm saddened by the double loss.

smokin'reefer · Jun 2, 2017

Sorry to hear about that.

Maritimer · Jun 2, 2017

Very sorry to hear this, G8rorchid. Having fish shipped in is definitely a whole new learning curve...

~Bruce

g8rorchid · Jun 2, 2017

Thanks @ Maritimer. Yeah, I'm not having much luck.

Leslie Tabor · Jun 2, 2017

I had no luck with getting fish shipped at all either. Out of 8 fish from a great vendor here on the forums I lost all but 2 fish. 1 died after 3 days, 2 seemed to be doing great for several weeks, then 1 passed within 6 hours of eating like normal, the 2nd was fine one day then dead the next. I had one of my original watanabei females not adjust well, the other I still have (almost a year now

) I won't do it anymore, it is heart wrenching getting so excited about a new "baby", not too mention the money spent. I am just limiting myself to what I can find within driving distance. A lot of people have such success but it is not my forte apparently.

leahfiish · Jun 2, 2017

Sorry to hear about your loss.

I just wanted to chime in to say that it is usually easier on fish to go down in salinity than it is to go up. So if you're getting fish in from 2 differerent tanks, I would try to match the lower salinity.

g8rorchid · Jun 5, 2017

Thanks for your reply Leslie Tabor. I am sad to hear that you too haven't had the best of luck with getting fish shipped, but at the same time, I find solace in the fact that it's not just me. I too have ordered from a solid vendor on here and yes, the fish seem to do great for a few weeks or month and then out of nowhere dies. I'm beginning to think that local is the way to go (at least for you and me).

Thank you leahfiish for the information. Always learning in this hobby.