New blue throat trigger issue.

[IUfan]

So got a blue throat trigger pair delivered today, felt like I did a good job preparing, set the QT to the salinity in the bag, and just let the bag float for 30 mins. Then transferred straight into the QT with no drip.

Anyway, the male is wedged into a rock, but the female is extremely skittish and has stressed herself out a lot. She's now resting in the sand against the back wall. I can't tell if she is just trying to wedge herself against the sand bottom and the back wall, she's been resting there almost all afternoon, but when I've checked on her, he fins are still flapping.

Anyway, so far I've tried leaving the lights off, I've resisted going into the room too often, got an airstone in there going, and dosed some nitrofuracin to try help oxygen levels in the water and help any ammonia burn from shipping.

I have a piece of plumbing that's plenty large enough for her, but she won't go near it.

Anyway, am I doing the right things? Or anything I can try to save her. Worried that she stressed herself out to the point of no return.

Thanks for any tips in advance.

IUFan

 

[Sobos Reef]

Just let them do their thing. I had a pair myself and the male was always wedged between rocks for the most part. The female was always front and center. Sounds like youre doing everything right so I wouldn't stress out over it. Give it a few days!

 

[IUfan]

Yeah, figured that's all I could do now. Would prefer for the female to be hiding in the rocks, but maybe she just feels safe right where she is. I just can't tell if she's exhausted herself and is resting there in exhaustion or if she's resting there because she feels safe.

 

[caribfan]

My bluethroat literally hid from me for 30 days...I kept track. I would feed it and then hide and wait to see if it ate. It took forever to get used to me, but now is extremely outgoing. I'd just leave the lights off and make sure their water quality is great and hopefully all will be fine.

 

[IUfan]

Yeah just checked on him now, I crept up and the female was a little off the sand, then saw me and went back down to the sand. So I'm encouraged by this, fingers crossed.

Tested the water and ammonia looks good.

Should I leave the lights out all of tomorrow too do you think? I was planning to put the lights back on the schedule from tomorrow one? 10am to 6pm?

 

[Dmorty217]

I would leave the lights off another day or two. Blue throats tend to be the most skittish of all reef safe triggers and take the longest to acclimate to a new tank.

 

[IUfan]

K good call. I may turn a lamp in the room on so they can start getting used to light.

Thanks guys, fingers crossed they make it.

 

[IUfan]

She's doing much better! Turned the lights on for an hour today. She didn't freak out and was actually swimming a bit.

Put some live brine in just to see if they would eat, I stepped away a bit and the male and female both came out and ate! So pleased, thought she was a goner.

 

[caribfan]

Glad to hear it! They can take a while to adjust sometimes.

 

[IUfan]

Here's a video of them in QT.

Perfect size, both under 4", I got them from Kevin at Pacific Island Aqatics, my first purchase from him, great livestock, shame to see them closing the doors. Kevin was unbelievably awesome to deal with, communication was great!

http://youtu.be/aY41DiWEVQ0