And they said it couldn't be done!

[jr_83]

I have a 55g grow-out tank w/ my 200g on order, both are fowlr. A couple weeks ago, I was told that a small (under 4") Australian Harlequin Tusk would be almost impossible to find. Well, DD popped one (3") up @ 3:00pm. After 2 minutes & $215, my HT is checked off the list.

The tank has been running for a couple months with weekly water checks being performed my favorite LFS. He said its ready so now all I have to do is find the perfect stock.

Here's the 55g. There's a baby snowflake moray in there which you can't see.

Here's the little bugger

He'll be here Wednesday so I will update this then. If anyone has any tips for acclimating this guy or feeding him, I'm all ears.

 

[gsiegel]

Congrats
Meaty foods for those teeth
Squid, clam on the half shell, silversides, krill is what I typically feed mine.

 

[humaguy]

great lil fish...good luck...

 

[jr_83]

Thanks Huma! As far as the meat goes. Krill is ok we aren't worried about lockjaw w HT?

 

[Mrscribbled]

Get him eating nls pellets, his colors will be awesome. Shy away from krill.


Posted from ReefCentral.com App for Android

 

[jr_83]

Nls pellets. I'm on it

 

[jjk_reef00]

Raw shrimp and scallops are great also.

 

[jr_83]

A lot of options with those. Do you have a specific one that you suggest?

 

[triggreef]

As far as acclimating imo with internet fish it should be temp only. Drip acclimating should be limited to lfs purchases. A whole day in a little bag makes a lot of ammonia. I know they suggest drip acclimation, but your just poisoning the fish when your slowly raising the ph and temp in water that has 5.0+ ppm of ammonia. I tested a bag of water I received an internet ordered pbt in that was off the charts.

 

[jr_83]

Interesting, makes sense though. I'm sure the water is crummy and the last thing I wanna do is leave him in it. I was planning on dripping him, just dropping him in scares the ish outta me. I would love to hear some more opinions on this.

 

[jr_83]

Raw shrimp and scallops are great also.

Any scallops in particular?

 

[jjk_reef00]

A lot of options with those. Do you have a specific one that you suggest?

At the start try a variety of foods and feed whatever he will eat.
You should also try PE mysis (or another mysis).
Once he settles in he should eat just about everything.

Any scallops in particular?

I just buy whatever is at the grocery store. I chop it into small bite size pieces.
I feed shrimp or scallop every day, sometimes I feed both.

You should feed 3+ times a day and make sure there is no leftover food poluting the water.
Are you sure your snowflake is not a threat with such a small fish?

 

[ReeferKimberly]

Good luck! My snowflake lives with a clown goby who hitched it, been in there 6 months. Never shows interest. Just keep him fed. The is 'always' some risk though if there is a fight over food so if it would break your heart then don't keep them together.

 

[jr_83]

The snowflake is maybe 6" and about the diameter of a pencil. I tried feeding him a silverside, roughly the size of his head, and he wouldn't take. At 3", I'm thinking the tusk is still far too large for him to have a go at. However, I would love to hear some other experiences with this combo.

From everything I've read, though, I'm under the impression everything should be copacetic.

 

[ReeferKimberly]

My snowflake was that size in december, he ate chopped squid and krill until just a month ago when I started him on silversides. They grow FAST, or at least mine did! He is about 9-10 inches now. I don't think you will have much problems. It is just like there is always a risk really. I read someone had one with a large grouper and when feeding the eel accidently got ahold of the grouper instead of the food. Another instance a snowflake and a fish (can't remember what) got into it over a piece of food. In both instances the eel won. So far I have never seen my eel interested in my fish. The goby is the smallest but I have others as well. I think as long as the eel doesn't get really really hungry and if you feed them on separate sides of the tank they will probably be fine.

 

[jr_83]

Yeah I have a pretty good system for feeding the eel, so far that is. I've researched my potential stock list (& order) fairly well, so lets hope it pays off. I don't mind the snowflake growing, they will go in the 200g as soon as my lfs guy gives me the green light.

 

[Mr. Bill]

Interesting, makes sense though. I'm sure the water is crummy and the last thing I wanna do is leave him in it. I was planning on dripping him, just dropping him in scares the ish outta me. I would love to hear some more opinions on this.

FTR, I've never drip-acclimated anything in my life, and I've never had any problems. A little pH shock is far less harmful than ammonia poisoning.

 

[desjardinii]

"I read someone had one with a large grouper and when feeding the eel accidently got ahold of the grouper instead of the food. Another instance a snowflake and a fish (can't remember what) got into it over a piece of food. In both instances the eel won."

That happened to me but my snowflake was around 3ft and it took an 8" Silver Scat and a 6"strip of squid in one go. The poor fish was pulverised against the rocks and eaten, actually quite horrific to watch. Gobies and other bottom dwellers had no chance, the eel ferociuosly hunted them out but the dumb scat was just a mistake. No probs with cleaner shrimps and other reef fish, including a HTF, they seem to know to keep out of the way and wait their turn.
Here's my 6" fellow, "Count Dracula"

 

[namxas]

As far as acclimating imo with internet fish it should be temp only. Drip acclimating should be limited to lfs purchases. A whole day in a little bag makes a lot of ammonia. I know they suggest drip acclimation, but your just poisoning the fish when your slowly raising the ph and temp in water that has 5.0+ ppm of ammonia. I tested a bag of water I received an internet ordered pbt in that was off the charts.

ABSOLUTELY! We get the fish out of the shipping water ASAP once the bag is opened.

Shipping water on the left:

 

[jr_83]

So I've been researching this since yesterday, when it was brought up. Here's what I've found. the drip acclimation is most important for more fragile fish/inverts. As far as the HTs are concerned, the Australians are allegedly the more durable of all the HTs.

So here's my questions. Once the bag is opened, the ammonia rises, correct? What if I don't open the bag, and instead, just punch a hole in for the airline/drip? Would doing a bit of a drip be better than none at all?

Man, you can't blame me for being at least slightly hesitant to float the bag and then just put him in.