Boxfish postponed

[FishyMel]

I have currently been corresponding with you guys on the condition of bluespotted boxfish that I ordered last Thursday. I was told it has a ripped tailfin today. How badly ripped is it (to the fin plate, multiple rips, chunk missing, etc.)? Any estimate on how long it will take to heal? Will it scar? Is he still eating well and does he have any other damage? Who was the culprit (for further tankmate planning)? Sorry for all the questions.
TIA

 

[dfs/la2]

FishyMel,

Thank you for your post. We sincerely apologize at this time we are unsure on how the Blue Spotted Boxfish is doing. Unfortunately at this time our Aquaculture Coral and Marine Life Facility is closed and will not reopen until tomorrow morning. However once they open we would be more than happy to find out how this beautiful specimen is doing. Once we have this information available we will post back to let you know.

We thank you for your patience in this matter.

Michelle L.
LiveAquaria.com
Drs. Foster and Smith

 

[FishyMel]

Thank you, you guys always go to great lengthes to ensure the customer's satisfaction.

 

[FishyMel]

bump

 

[DFS]

FishyMel,

I am very sorry for the delay responding here which is due to the fact I wanted to personally address your concerns.

The fascination, anxiety and anticipation of waiting for a new fish is one of the most exciting parts of this great hobby. Just like yourself, who has worked hard learning all that you can about a particular species of interest, then diligently preparing the proper environment for the fish to ensure it has the best possible chance of living a very long life in your home, I completely understand your frustration and have been there myself many times.

I want to personally apologize for the delay and the frustration we have caused. It is very important to all of us here at Drs. Foster and Smith LiveAquaria, who work very hard to offer the healthiest marine life available, that we stand true to our word. When tending to literally over one thousand individual fish in our facility in Rhinelander Wisconsin, where the Divers Den fish are held and cared for, things do not always go as planned. Fish that have been nurtured, conditioned, and cared for to the best of our ability for weeks or even months, sometimes do not pass final inspection prior to shipping which will cause a delay.

It is of the utmost importance that we never cut corners, lower our standards, or let things slide, as we will not allow a fish to leave this facility that is not 100% perfect. Although I know you are frustrated that we had held this incredible male boxfish because he was not 100% perfect at the time of packaging, I can assure you that when your fish is ready to go, it will be packed with the utmost care and attention, and you will receive a fish that should live for many years when provided with the proper care.

Once again I am very sorry for the delay, but can assure you that we will make sure you receive the healthiest fish possible, and am sure you will be 100% satisfied.

Once again, I apologize for your frustration, and am sorry for this delay.

 

[FishyMel]

I understand the need for the fish to be its 100% and completely agree as I want the fish to be at 100% too when it arrives. I just was wishing to know its current condition more specifically. As for how long it takes, I do not care, as long as it is very healthy and at its best.

 

[DFS]

FishyMel,

Thank you again for your patience. The caudal fin has one split approx. 5mm long which is not down to the base of the tail. I would estimate based on the thickness of the fishes fin and the location of the split that it should heal completely with no visible marks or scars in approximately 10-14 days, but this can be very difficult to predict.

The fish is eating very well, with no other visible damage or marks, is in optimum health, and is acting appropriately for this species. The culprit was a 3.75" Tank Raised White Bar Pomacanthus maculosus.

 

[FishyMel]

Thanks a lot! I look forward to getting this specimen, it was definitely the right thing to do to hold it back. Boxfish are known for parasites and bacterial infections so it is in his best interest for him to be mint before a stressful shipping process. I also thank you for your patience with the fish and careful quarantining process, I wish all fish stores were like you. Currently I am struggling with a malnourished golden dogface puffer from a lfs. He has been deprived of food so long that it is hard for the food to pass, his colors are faded, and he is very sluggish.

 

[FishyMel]

Are there any updates on the condition of the specimen? It has been about 10 days since I last spoke with you and 2 weeks since the order was placed. Also, any telling how this fish will fare with my strombus snails and corals? Thank you for your patience. I look forward to your response.

 

[dfs/la2]

FishyMel,

Thank you for your post. We would be happy to contact our Aquaculture Coral and Marine Life Facility for an update on your Bluespotted Boxfish and will post back here with any information as to its well-being. The Boxfish will not generally harm corals or snails; however they will nip at tubeworms and crustaceans in a reef aquarium.

Sandy C.
LiveAquaria
Drs. Foster and Smith

 

[FishyMel]

Good! He can have my tube worms as long as he doesn't eat my conchs or corals. Thank you Sandy.

 

[dfs/la2]

FishyMel,

Thank you for your post. We have checked on the condition of the Bluespotted Boxfish and it is healing nicely. Unfortunately, we do not believe it will be ready to be shipped out next week; however it is possible that it will be fully healed and ready to go the week of February 9th. We would be happy to contact you when this beautiful fish is ready to ship.

Sandy C.
LiveAquaria
Drs. Foster and Smith

 

[FishyMel]

Great. It is good to know it is healing nicely. It is also kind of nice that he is getting some more quarantining. Such a fragile fish needs it and I am glad I am going to be getting a boxfish that has had a little bit more conditioning to the captive ways.

 

[FishyMel]

I am sorry for asking, but I am wondering if there is any sort of possibility that I would be able to see a shot of the tail when it is healed? I know Kevin is a top notch photographer and I would be more than pleased to see a pic.

Thanks for your time once again.

 

[dfs/la2]

FishyMel,

Thank you for your post. Normally we are unable to take additional pictures of specimens due to amount of unnecessary stress caused by a second photo shoot. However, we will more than happy to check with our Aquaculture Coral & Marine Life Facility regarding a new picture of the tail. We will post with additional information on Monday.

Gwen S.
Liveaquaria
Drs. Foster and Smith

 

[FishyMel]

Thank you Gwen! Once again I am amazed by the excellent service you guys are providing me with this transaction.

 

[dfs/la2]

FishyMel,

Thank you for your patience while we obtained this information for you. At this time we are unable to obtain additional photos of the Boxfish as we do not want to cause any undue stress to the fish. However, prior to packing, we would be more than happy to send over new pictures if you prefer. If we can be of any further assistance, please feel free to contact us.

Chris C.
LiveAquaria
Drs. Foster and Smith

 

[FishyMel]

That is exactly what I wanted. I don't want to have any doubts when it is sent to me.

Thank you Chris.

 

[dfs/la2]

FishyMel,

Thank you for your post. As requested, we will arrange to have new photos sent once the fish is ready to be shipped. The Boxfish will fare well with snails and corals in your aquarium. Depending on the progress of its healing, our Aquaculture Coral & Marine Life Facility currently estimates that this fish should be ready within a week. If you have any additional questions, please let us know.

Mike S.
LiveAquaria
Drs. Foster and Smith

 

[FishyMel]

How's the box doing?