So I bought my first two fish this afternoon. (2) Black Ice Clownfish. The are about 1" long each. Very beautiful fish from Sustainable Aquatics here in Tennessee.
The salinity at the LFS was 1.28. I keep mine at 1.26 I started the acclimation process when I got home, about a 10 min ride from the store. After floating the bag in the DT for about 20 minutes I poured the bag into a small bucket. I then added about 1/4 cup of the QT water they were going into about every 10 minutes. I decided to put a towel over the small bucket to try and keep them warm. Well, when I removed the towel to pour in my third 1/4 cup of water I noticed one of the clowns was in terrible conditions! It had turned dark grey, almost black. I feared it was too late for the little guy but I rushed them to the QT and dipped them out with a net and dropped them both in. The one that went dark and lost his color immediately regained his normal color. And I mean instantly!
They are both fine so far and eating, etc. they seem to love having the 30 gallon QT to themselves. Although they stay close together at all times, they swim from one side to the other and through the PVC having a big time.
Anyhow, I assume the towel over the bucket liked to kill them due to oxygen depravation. When acclimating in the future, I won't use the towel. Perhaps dropping an airs tone in the bucket will help as well? Please advise.
Anyone seen the clown lose all color like that before?
The salinity at the LFS was 1.28. I keep mine at 1.26 I started the acclimation process when I got home, about a 10 min ride from the store. After floating the bag in the DT for about 20 minutes I poured the bag into a small bucket. I then added about 1/4 cup of the QT water they were going into about every 10 minutes. I decided to put a towel over the small bucket to try and keep them warm. Well, when I removed the towel to pour in my third 1/4 cup of water I noticed one of the clowns was in terrible conditions! It had turned dark grey, almost black. I feared it was too late for the little guy but I rushed them to the QT and dipped them out with a net and dropped them both in. The one that went dark and lost his color immediately regained his normal color. And I mean instantly!
They are both fine so far and eating, etc. they seem to love having the 30 gallon QT to themselves. Although they stay close together at all times, they swim from one side to the other and through the PVC having a big time.
Anyhow, I assume the towel over the bucket liked to kill them due to oxygen depravation. When acclimating in the future, I won't use the towel. Perhaps dropping an airs tone in the bucket will help as well? Please advise.
Anyone seen the clown lose all color like that before?
