nosferatu51
New member
Any news? Should I still expect him early next week? Would you mind telling me why they decided to hold on to him a bit longer?
Achilles Tang Not Doing Well?
- Thread starter nosferatu51
- Start date
DFS/LA1
.Registered Member
nosferatu51,
Thank you very much for your patience. The amount of time we keep specimens in quarantine does vary quite a bit. We are continuing to hold the Achilles Tang because we want to be 100% confident that you receive an extremely healthy thriving specimen. While we do not have an exacta timeframe, as soon as this Tang is consistently flourishing under our care, we will contact you to arrange an acceptable shipping date.
Donna
Supervisors LiveAquaria
Drs. Foster & Smith
Thank you very much for your patience. The amount of time we keep specimens in quarantine does vary quite a bit. We are continuing to hold the Achilles Tang because we want to be 100% confident that you receive an extremely healthy thriving specimen. While we do not have an exacta timeframe, as soon as this Tang is consistently flourishing under our care, we will contact you to arrange an acceptable shipping date.
Donna
Supervisors LiveAquaria
Drs. Foster & Smith
SlowCobra
New member
Not trying to start a flame war in this thread, however you seem to be very impatient in obtaining an EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO SHIP AND KEEP, EXPERT ONLY fish. LiveAquaria spends an exorbitant amount of time QTing all of their specimens so that the casualty rate is very minimal. Many places will not even guarantee Live Arrival for an Achilles, let alone a 14 day health guarantee. In my experience and research of the species they do not transport well. They also don't live long if not provided with the proper conditions.
The best acclimation for them is a drip acclimation in at least a 5 gal bucket. Put aside a major part of your day just for acclimation and introduction. They are extremely sensitive to water change conditions, not to mention stress from shipping. 3 hours minimum for acclimation with a removal of roughly 1/3 of the water every 45 - 60mins. As mentioned, minimal light is another key factor in acclimation.
DO NOT put them right into the display tank. While they need a large tank, with TONS of flow, to live happily in, a QT is of the utmost importance. Every fish/coral/invert you get should get a QT period, that isn't always possible. An Achilles however is MANDATORY. There is no question about it. No, well what if I do... QT the fish to give it time to adjust to the new water, shipping stress, etc. When you go to move the fish from the acclimation container to the QT, do NOT use a net. Gently dump the entire contents of the acclimation container into the QT tank with the fish. Nets add more stress than needed to the fish at this time
Prepare the tank with water taken directly from the main display. Also add live rock with at least 1 cave that is large enough for the fish to hide/live in. Leave enough space for the fish to swim the length of the tank. Make sure there is plenty of flow in the tank and your best bet is to use a good hang on filter like an Emperor 280/400. Use carbon cartridges and standard filter media cartridges. Yes it seems like over-kill but the water needs to stay pristine while the fish is in QT.
Do a 10% water change with water from the main tank every 24-36 hrs.
The fish should live in QT for a minimum of 3 weeks. This will give it time to adjust to the water it will be living in. It also gives it time to start eating different foods. They need to be provided with a varied diet. Nori(or similar seaweed/alqae) Marine Cuisine, Emerald Entree, not sure if you have it readily available in SC but Rods Food, etc. Every feeding should have both Selcon(3-4 drops) and Garlic(1-2 drops) added to the water the food is soaking in. These additives help boost the immune system of the fish and provide them with nutrients that may be missing due to not having their natural diet.
Last but not least here is mine I just received yesterday from LiveAquaria. Using the above methods and procedures...It was eating Nori within 2 hours of entering the tank and frozen food by the end of the day.
Sorry for the novel, just trying to educate you on what it takes to keep this particular fish. This fish is not a "set it and forget it" fish.
The best acclimation for them is a drip acclimation in at least a 5 gal bucket. Put aside a major part of your day just for acclimation and introduction. They are extremely sensitive to water change conditions, not to mention stress from shipping. 3 hours minimum for acclimation with a removal of roughly 1/3 of the water every 45 - 60mins. As mentioned, minimal light is another key factor in acclimation.
DO NOT put them right into the display tank. While they need a large tank, with TONS of flow, to live happily in, a QT is of the utmost importance. Every fish/coral/invert you get should get a QT period, that isn't always possible. An Achilles however is MANDATORY. There is no question about it. No, well what if I do... QT the fish to give it time to adjust to the new water, shipping stress, etc. When you go to move the fish from the acclimation container to the QT, do NOT use a net. Gently dump the entire contents of the acclimation container into the QT tank with the fish. Nets add more stress than needed to the fish at this time
Prepare the tank with water taken directly from the main display. Also add live rock with at least 1 cave that is large enough for the fish to hide/live in. Leave enough space for the fish to swim the length of the tank. Make sure there is plenty of flow in the tank and your best bet is to use a good hang on filter like an Emperor 280/400. Use carbon cartridges and standard filter media cartridges. Yes it seems like over-kill but the water needs to stay pristine while the fish is in QT.
Do a 10% water change with water from the main tank every 24-36 hrs.
The fish should live in QT for a minimum of 3 weeks. This will give it time to adjust to the water it will be living in. It also gives it time to start eating different foods. They need to be provided with a varied diet. Nori(or similar seaweed/alqae) Marine Cuisine, Emerald Entree, not sure if you have it readily available in SC but Rods Food, etc. Every feeding should have both Selcon(3-4 drops) and Garlic(1-2 drops) added to the water the food is soaking in. These additives help boost the immune system of the fish and provide them with nutrients that may be missing due to not having their natural diet.
Last but not least here is mine I just received yesterday from LiveAquaria. Using the above methods and procedures...It was eating Nori within 2 hours of entering the tank and frozen food by the end of the day.
Sorry for the novel, just trying to educate you on what it takes to keep this particular fish. This fish is not a "set it and forget it" fish.
nosferatu51
New member
LA/DFS - I received the new tang today. He seems happy and healthy. He is already swimming around, eating, etc. It really was a night and day difference when I opened the box with this one and cannot help but believe that the larger bag helped (a good 2.5g if my acclimation bucket is a decent indicator). My one concern is that, in addition to the previously mentioned hole in his dorsal fin, he also seems to actually be missing his right peduncle spine. Was this noticed while in your custody? Using my own judgment, itappears as though he may have lost it to a netting incident a while back (I used only plastic containers in his transfer). The injury seems healed over to me and as if it happened a while back. In addition, it does not seem to bother him so I will assume, for now, that all is fine.
Slow Cobra - It had nothing to do with being impatient, I waited a month and a half for this fish. I just wanted to be kept up to date and informed about him (which I was when I asked). When I'm told one date and then am given another that is 3 weeks later, of course that arouses suspicion as to why. I don't think wanting to know the rationale behind it is being impatient and would, in fact, show concern.
I did not see your post until this evening, but I received the tang today. He is already in the display after a sufficient acclimation period and procedure. He is already swimming around, playing in the 4 Koralia 4s, and eating from the rocks and from the foods I add.
Thank you for your concern, but I did a lot of research before acquiring this fish and understand that they are difficult and the potential complications that can arise. I am glad your fish is happy and healthy and hope that the QT works for you. I, on the other hand, believe that a fish as sensitive and delicate as an Achilles (or my Regal Angel for that matter) would do best to be in the main tank as soon as possible. This ensures that they are in the most stable, the largest, and the best environment that I can and will provide them with. There are others who agree with me and some who do not. It is simply a difference of opinion, but since I trust the health of the fish I receive from the Diver's Den I believe it is the best route.
Slow Cobra - It had nothing to do with being impatient, I waited a month and a half for this fish. I just wanted to be kept up to date and informed about him (which I was when I asked). When I'm told one date and then am given another that is 3 weeks later, of course that arouses suspicion as to why. I don't think wanting to know the rationale behind it is being impatient and would, in fact, show concern.
I did not see your post until this evening, but I received the tang today. He is already in the display after a sufficient acclimation period and procedure. He is already swimming around, playing in the 4 Koralia 4s, and eating from the rocks and from the foods I add.
Thank you for your concern, but I did a lot of research before acquiring this fish and understand that they are difficult and the potential complications that can arise. I am glad your fish is happy and healthy and hope that the QT works for you. I, on the other hand, believe that a fish as sensitive and delicate as an Achilles (or my Regal Angel for that matter) would do best to be in the main tank as soon as possible. This ensures that they are in the most stable, the largest, and the best environment that I can and will provide them with. There are others who agree with me and some who do not. It is simply a difference of opinion, but since I trust the health of the fish I receive from the Diver's Den I believe it is the best route.
dfs/la2
.Registered Member
Nosferatu51,
We appreciate you keeping us updated on your fish, and sincerely apologize that the Achilles Tang seems to have sustained past injuries. We will be checking into the condition of the Tang while it was in our care, and will post information as soon as it is available.
Sincerely,
Mike S.
LiveAquaria
Drs. Foster and Smith
We appreciate you keeping us updated on your fish, and sincerely apologize that the Achilles Tang seems to have sustained past injuries. We will be checking into the condition of the Tang while it was in our care, and will post information as soon as it is available.
Sincerely,
Mike S.
LiveAquaria
Drs. Foster and Smith
nosferatu51
New member
I will post pictures of him in his new home tomorrow. The ones I took this evening were too dark (apparently black fish on a black background with only the actinics in the area makes for a dark photo!) 
He seems to be happy and healthy so far (the "injury" does not seem to bother him in the least as he was attacking his reflection earlier) and I appreciate the effort ya'll took both in ensuring that health and in helping me with the situation. I hope that you didn't take my questions in the same way Slow(ironic?)Cobra did as they were solely intended so that I could keep up to date and prepared for the arrival of this fish.
He seems to be happy and healthy so far (the "injury" does not seem to bother him in the least as he was attacking his reflection earlier) and I appreciate the effort ya'll took both in ensuring that health and in helping me with the situation. I hope that you didn't take my questions in the same way Slow(ironic?)Cobra did as they were solely intended so that I could keep up to date and prepared for the arrival of this fish.
dfs/la2
.Registered Member
Nosferatu51,
It is good to hear that your Achilles Tang is doing well. We apologize for this situation, and will be investigating this further.
A credit has also been placed on your customer file for the price of the fish and the original shipping charges. This credit can be used on a future order at your convenience. If you would prefer to have this amount credited back to your credit card, please let us know. Again, we sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.
Sincerely,
Mike S.
LiveAquaria
Drs. Foster and Smith
It is good to hear that your Achilles Tang is doing well. We apologize for this situation, and will be investigating this further.
A credit has also been placed on your customer file for the price of the fish and the original shipping charges. This credit can be used on a future order at your convenience. If you would prefer to have this amount credited back to your credit card, please let us know. Again, we sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.
Sincerely,
Mike S.
LiveAquaria
Drs. Foster and Smith
nosferatu51
New member
I am curious why I was given a credit. The fish is still alive and, as far as I can tell, very healthy at the moment. If it was for the tail spine, while I appreciate it, a refund is unnecessary as he is still a fine specimen.
nosferatu51
New member
I was wondering if you could tell me what this fish was eating in your facility. The only thing I have found that he will eat and not spit out is Nori (although I am currently out of mysis so haven't tried that yet). I prefer my fish to eat a more varied diet and thus am hoping he had something else he enjoyed while in your care.
dfs/la2
.Registered Member
nosferatu51,
Thank you for your inquiry. We are happy to hear the Achilles Tang is doing well. The fish that are kept at our Aquacultured Coral and Marine Life Facility are fed a variety of foods. These foods consist of frozen mysis shrimp, frozen brine shrimp, live ghost shrimp, frozen krill, silversides, roe, dried seaweed, cockle, and even pellet foods. We will check with our Aquatic’s Director to find out what this Achilles Tang was fed during quarantine and then we will post the information.
Gwen S.
LiveAquaria
Drs. Foster and Smith
Thank you for your inquiry. We are happy to hear the Achilles Tang is doing well. The fish that are kept at our Aquacultured Coral and Marine Life Facility are fed a variety of foods. These foods consist of frozen mysis shrimp, frozen brine shrimp, live ghost shrimp, frozen krill, silversides, roe, dried seaweed, cockle, and even pellet foods. We will check with our Aquatic’s Director to find out what this Achilles Tang was fed during quarantine and then we will post the information.
Gwen S.
LiveAquaria
Drs. Foster and Smith
dfs/la2
.Registered Member
nosferatu51,
Thank you for your patience. It is great that you feed a variety of foods to make sure your fish are getting all of the vitamins they need. Regarding your question on what the Achilles Tang was eating at our Aquaculture Coral and Marine Life Facility, it was eating enriched Mysis Shrimp.
Gwen S.
LiveAquaria
Drs. Foster and Smith
Thank you for your patience. It is great that you feed a variety of foods to make sure your fish are getting all of the vitamins they need. Regarding your question on what the Achilles Tang was eating at our Aquaculture Coral and Marine Life Facility, it was eating enriched Mysis Shrimp.
Gwen S.
LiveAquaria
Drs. Foster and Smith
nosferatu51
New member
Thank you both for the info.
