RFA potential pests

[LandLockedJones]

Hey there,

I’ve just purchased my first Duncan, as well as 2 RFA’s. They have yet to ship, so I decided I would try and get some clarity on best practices for receiving RFA’s in the mail.

The only thing that I have been able to determine for certain, is there seems to be little to no debate that drip acclimation is a good idea for these critters. But I am curious to know if that sentiment has changed over the years.

Also, dipping RFA’s seems to be frowned upon, though I encountered a few threads where people managed it successfully. can hunt down the links again if anyone is curious. none of these confirmed whether any pests were removed or visible after dipping.

Not saying it is a good practice, as it seems the main concern is the potential for absorbing the dipping solution and releasing it into your display.

What I really want to figure out, is whether or not there are pests worth the risk. Flatworms appeared to be the only thing people were concerned about. But just curious if anybody has noticed this being an issue or any other hitchhikers I should be on the lookout for.

Well, that’s the bit, I appreciate any advice y’all have time to provide.

Nothing left to do but sail away,
~LandLockedJones~

 

[Lavey29]

I have 5. I just dropped them straight into the water after picking up at my LFS. They are fine for many months now. They are pretty resilient little creatures.

 

[LandLockedJones]

I have 5. I just dropped them straight into the water after picking up at my LFS. They are fine for many months now. They are pretty resilient little creatures.

I have heard that as well haha. Mine will be shipping to Texas from Tidal Gardens in Ohio. Would the shipping stress be too much to just toss them in?

I actually just got a response from Tidal Gardens stating that dipping is not a great practice for RFA’s, because they do absorb anything that they sit in. Their representative did note they have not noticed any pests on them and ship without rubble or substrate to prevent any pests from those sources. They said the only practice they can safely recommend is quarantine and that’s obviously at buyers discretion.

 

[MaxTremors]

Hey there,

I’ve just purchased my first Duncan, as well as 2 RFA’s. They have yet to ship, so I decided I would try and get some clarity on best practices for receiving RFA’s in the mail.

The only thing that I have been able to determine for certain, is there seems to be little to no debate that drip acclimation is a good idea for these critters. But I am curious to know if that sentiment has changed over the years.

Also, dipping RFA’s seems to be frowned upon, though I encountered a few threads where people managed it successfully. can hunt down the links again if anyone is curious. none of these confirmed whether any pests were removed or visible after dipping.

Not saying it is a good practice, as it seems the main concern is the potential for absorbing the dipping solution and releasing it into your display.

What I really want to figure out, is whether or not there are pests worth the risk. Flatworms appeared to be the only thing people were concerned about. But just curious if anybody has noticed this being an issue or any other hitchhikers I should be on the lookout for.

Well, that’s the bit, I appreciate any advice y’all have time to provide.

Nothing left to do but sail away,
~LandLockedJones~

It is best practice to NOT drop acclimate corals and anemones, especially after shipping. Just float, dip (if applicable) and put in the tank. The sooner you can get them into flowing water so they can properly respirate, the better. Corals and anemones take in and expel water through diffusion, meaning they are self-acclimating. They will adjust to your tank and open up sooner if you put them straight into the tank.

 

[Lavey29]

I have heard that as well haha. Mine will be shipping to Texas from Tidal Gardens in Ohio. Would the shipping stress be too much to just toss them in?

I actually just got a response from Tidal Gardens stating that dipping is not a great practice for RFA’s, because they do absorb anything that they sit in. Their representative did note they have not noticed any pests on them and ship without rubble or substrate to prevent any pests from those sources. They said the only practice they can safely recommend is quarantine and that’s obviously at buyers discretion.

I actually had a few shipped from tidal gardens too. I just dropped them right in from the bags

 

[LandLockedJones]

It is best practice to NOT drop acclimate corals and anemones, especially after shipping. Just float, dip (if applicable) and put in the tank. The sooner you can get them into flowing water so they can properly respirate, the better. Corals and anemones take in and expel water through diffusion, meaning they are self-acclimating. They will adjust to your tank and open up sooner if you put them straight into the tank.

I had already determined that coral would not require drip acclimation. However, when I bought the RFA’s I realized they are not coral and the practices might be different. Perhaps I misunderstood, or maybe things have changed. But there were serious advocates of drip acclimation for anemones in those threads. They were pretty dated though. (2017 in one case).

So thank you, because I agree reducing the stress as much as possible is best practice.

I actually had a few shipped from tidal gardens too. I just dropped them right in from the bags

Wonderful, thank you for letting me know. I am glad to hear that it is seems unnecessary. I am still new to all of this, so I appreciate the information.

And I am glad I asked now before I got them.

Thanks a ton,
~LandLockedJones

 

[Lavey29]

I had already determined that coral would not require drip acclimation. However, when I bought the RFA’s I realized they are not coral and the practices might be different. Perhaps I misunderstood, or maybe things have changed. But there were serious advocates of drip acclimation for anemones in those threads. They were pretty dated though. (2017 in one case).

So thank you, because I agree reducing the stress as much as possible is best practice.



Wonderful, thank you for letting me know. I am glad to hear that it is seems unnecessary. I am still new to all of this, so I appreciate the information.

And I am glad I asked now before I got them.

Thanks a ton,
~LandLockedJones

You can try to hand place them in rock crevices but they typically move on their own to their preferred spot. Half of mine chose the rocks the other like the sand but propped up against the rock.