Had to rescue a Clarkii clownfish from petco today

[dom418]

Well went out for a thermometer came home with a clownfish. While browsing petco I noticed 3 Clarkii in a tank and one was shredded up and stuck to the filter intake on the tank almost dead. I got an employee to move the injured fish to another tank, but this one also had a clownfish and soon it started to attack this poor guy. The employee was like well we'll keep an eye on him as he is again stuck to the filter breathing heavy.

Just before checking out I stopped and couldn't leave knowing the clown was going to die because of employee stupidity. I asked the manager to net the fish for me and to my astonishment he said he couldn't sell it to me because it was injured. They offer no guarantee on saltwater fish so I explained I know what I'm doing and want to buy him. After about 10 min he agreed and took the Clarkii home. He's in my sump now until he is healed. He already had some flake food. So I'm happy.

Just wanted to share my story.

 

[ilyad]

You should be careful with putting fish from petco straight into your tank... A good number of them have some kind pests or diseases. You should definitely QT new buys, especially ones from big box stores that dont care for their fish as well as mom and pop stores do (and even in these cases you should be careful too)

 

[bshow24]

I agree. Especially a fish that is sick and not doing so well. I quarantine all fish regardless of where they come from. Hopefully you can get the little guy healed and nothing else happens. Good luck!

 

[OrionN]

Having at least 10 years experience in reefkeeing (jointed RC in 2003) you should know better. You should not have done it. He will likely get your tank sick. As far as PETCO concern the ledger will show that they got profit from selling that clown. More will come and likely will be in the same condition. You may as well buy PETCO so you can have control over employee if you want to do something. Short of that you should not buy sick animals. If you get it at a huge discount or for free, then you can try to save it, but not in you system but in quarantine tank.

Getting sick fish/animal into you system is a good way of wipe out a majority of your fish/animals.

 

[dc]

No sense in repeating anything. Good luck with the fish.

 

[worm5406]

Nice to know someone else cares... but Yeah on the QT.... While you were there you should have got a 10g on the $1 /gallon sale.

 

[velvetelvis]

Agree...it was a kind gesture. It's hard to see an animal suffering and not do anything to help. Hope the little one makes it.

 

[dom418]

Having at least 10 years experience in reefkeeing (jointed RC in 2003) you should know better. You should not have done it. He will likely get your tank sick. As far as PETCO concern the ledger will show that they got profit from selling that clown. More will come and likely will be in the same condition. You may as well buy PETCO so you can have control over employee if you want to do something. Short of that you should not buy sick animals. If you get it at a huge discount or for free, then you can try to save it, but not in you system but in quarantine tank.

Getting sick fish/animal into you system is a good way of wipe out a majority of your fish/animals.

I should know better? Give me a break. I don't need a lecture pal. In all my years I've never had a problem doing this. The fish is not sick, just beat up. I guess I should have just let him die :rolleye1: This forum cracks me up. Everyone has their opinion and it seems to be the right one. Ive been keeping HEALTHY aquariums for a long time and i didn't post this to get advice because it is unneeded. It's great that I'm getting crap for saving a fish.

 

[OrionN]

Good luck with you fish and your tank.