Incoming C. tinkeri has a sore on it..

[inktomi]

Hello folks!

I'm writing today about a pair of C. tinkeri that I purchased back before Christmas off of the Live Aquaria divers den. The week after new years I received a call from the Divers Den staff reporting that one of the two had a small sore on it, and asking if I'd like it held till it was healed, or shipped out to me. They seemed confident that it was nothing to worry about, and that either way the fish would do fine.

Knowing how well the divers den takes care of animals, I figured there was probably nothing better for the fish than to stay there till 100% healed. Now I'm in the "in between time" waiting for the call that they're ready to ship out to me.

The thing is - should I cancel the order and get another pair, one that "never" had anything wrong with it? I'm pretty certain that Live Aquaria would never send me an animal that they knew was sick or injured in any way - but still, it nags at the back of my mind... "what else could be wrong..".

I've got a QT tank here ready to go for them when they arrive to ensure that they're eating and all that. After being "in QT" for so long at the Live Aquaria facility (pre sale, and now post sale) I probably won't keep them in my QT tank beyond a few days if they're eating well and look healthy otherwise. I'd like to get them into proper temperatures and a larger tank as soon as safely possible - I understand that the divers den fish are all kept around 78 degrees, which would be stressful on them long term.

What would you do?

 

[flameangel88]

It's not easy on the waiting end and one time I've waited 2 months then moved on. Unfortunately I was eager to find one that I went out and got some that didn't come with any live guarantees and out a lot more of money and heartache. Another time a vendor contacted me that a fish developed an infection and they would like to treat it with antibiotic before shipping. I waited 23 days but that was well worth it as the fish came in eating after 2 days.

If you really want this pair my suggestion is to wait it out and LA will most likely provide better care for the fish than the most of us in this hobby. I rather have the risk in their hands than in mine. I have full regret for rushing out to find a replacement the last time so I'm more patient than ever before in finding the right fish nowadays.

If you end up with your Tinkeri pair I wish you the best with them as they are truly beautiful fish especially in pair!

 

[inktomi]

That's sort of how I feel. I have every confidence in live aquaria's care ability

 

[inktomi]

I was informed today that one of the pair passed away yesterday. Bummer!

While it's never good to loose a fish, it's very nice to be working with a company that would rather loose the money from the sale of this pair than send out a fish they knew was sick. That's something that I think a lot of companies wouldn't do.

 

[flameangel88]

I feel bad about it for you as I'm sure it would have been a great addition. But I'm sure you would feel a lot worst it this happened in your care. Patience is very important in this hobby. Good luck in the hunt for the next pair.

 

[roktsintst]

Man That sucks!

I've wanted a Tineri Pair for a while now. I thought long and hard about that Pair on DD. You obviously made the right choice However. If the staff at live aquaria couldn't help the Tinker then the odds of one of us helping it are slim to none...

Are you going to continue w/ the purchase of a single Tinker and try to pair it up later, or wait until you find a pair???

 

[inktomi]

I'm going to wait for another nicely colored pair to show up on the divers den. I'd rather start with a known pair than risk it with two separate specimens. I've heard that the interaction of a pair is amazing to watch, and that you don't get that interaction with two "separate" specimens.

I wouldn't be super surprised to see another single Tinkeri show up on the divers den soon =p

 

[roktsintst]

Yeah, I know what you mean!

Im on the hunt as well

 

[jnc914]

I would definitely wait for a pair. I would recommend against getting one now with the hopes of getting another later that might pair with the established Tinker. I had obtained a "true pair" direct from HI. They were caught together within feet of each other in the same territory. The had no issue getting along, however I lost one to illness. I tried to add a Declevis, which is a close cousin to the Tinker, and it never worked out. The aggression was pretty bad and the established Tinker would chase and flare itself towards the Declevis; it never subsided and I had to sell the Declevis.

Tinkers are listed as being peaceful, however I believe that is only towards non-Butterfly fish, or at least it has been IME.

 

[inktomi]

So, another quick update that speaks to the customer service provided by the Divers Den.

I received a call a few minutes ago to let me know that Kevin himself is on the hunt for another suitable pair of Tinkeri butterflyfish, which will be offered to me before they get placed for open sale on the Divers Den.

I just want to say again how kind and helpful the staff of LiveAquaria's Divers Den has been all throughout the process of buying this pair of fish.

 

[roktsintst]

WOW! That is Great Customer Service

 

[Dan]

DD just plain rocks. Every business should be run this way.

Sorry the pair was broken up. Hope you find another. I wonder how to know when an advertised "pair" was actually collected cruising the reef together, or are just two fish put together somewhere along the supply chain. I have a tinker and declevis that cruise my tank together. Added seperately a few months apart, there was some chasing for a day and now they are a "pair". Go figure.

Dan