I think we all know the saying, "third times a charm". So it goes for me and my attempts at keeping Venustus.
This is my third attempt, my first two being miserable failures.
1st Attempt: Two years ago, single fish brought in by my local contact. Advertised prior to ordering as being in great condition and eating. Upon arrival, it had a red sore near it's anus, which ended up rupturing and caused the fish to die within 48 hours or arriving. No feeding response, very disappointed,
.
2nd Attempt: This past Christmas, single very small fish (cool size) ordered from a popular online retailer. I tried just about every food possible, including building Paul B's little brine shrimp hatcher thing. Long, ugly, story short, fish didn't make it. Kind of was turned off of Venustus from that point on.
Last week, I learned of some venustus that were again, advertised as eating well and in great condition. After much deliberation and rearranging of quarantine tanks, I decided to pull the trigger.
I wanted a pair and with the experiences I had in the past, decided to order three in the very likely case that I would lose one in shipping or immediately thereafter.
I am very happy to report that all three fish are doing exceptionally well!:bounce1:
They pretty much all took to LRS food immediately, the biggest and smallest of the three trying it in the bucket.
Initially I was concerned that I might lose the medium sized one of the three, however in the last two days, he too has seemed to turn around.
These fish eat NLS Pellets, ON Prime Reef Flake, LRS Herb Mix, and PE mysis.
I'd love some input on whether this is a species that can be kept as a trio. It wasn't my initial intention, but being that I have three healthy fish at the moment, I think that's what I may end up with.
Here is a short video of relatively poor quality. If I get a chance later this week, I'll try to get some good pictures.
Long term these fish were destined for my 240 FOWLR, but depending on what transpires, I may try my hand at breeding these little guys. I fall into the category of total novice when it comes to breeding and hearing larvae, so we'll see where that goes.
This is my third attempt, my first two being miserable failures.
1st Attempt: Two years ago, single fish brought in by my local contact. Advertised prior to ordering as being in great condition and eating. Upon arrival, it had a red sore near it's anus, which ended up rupturing and caused the fish to die within 48 hours or arriving. No feeding response, very disappointed,
.2nd Attempt: This past Christmas, single very small fish (cool size) ordered from a popular online retailer. I tried just about every food possible, including building Paul B's little brine shrimp hatcher thing. Long, ugly, story short, fish didn't make it. Kind of was turned off of Venustus from that point on.
Last week, I learned of some venustus that were again, advertised as eating well and in great condition. After much deliberation and rearranging of quarantine tanks, I decided to pull the trigger.
I wanted a pair and with the experiences I had in the past, decided to order three in the very likely case that I would lose one in shipping or immediately thereafter.
I am very happy to report that all three fish are doing exceptionally well!:bounce1:
They pretty much all took to LRS food immediately, the biggest and smallest of the three trying it in the bucket.
Initially I was concerned that I might lose the medium sized one of the three, however in the last two days, he too has seemed to turn around.
These fish eat NLS Pellets, ON Prime Reef Flake, LRS Herb Mix, and PE mysis.
I'd love some input on whether this is a species that can be kept as a trio. It wasn't my initial intention, but being that I have three healthy fish at the moment, I think that's what I may end up with.
Here is a short video of relatively poor quality. If I get a chance later this week, I'll try to get some good pictures.
Long term these fish were destined for my 240 FOWLR, but depending on what transpires, I may try my hand at breeding these little guys. I fall into the category of total novice when it comes to breeding and hearing larvae, so we'll see where that goes.
