New fish arrived at 1.014SG

[Tek]

I made an order online and it looks like my shipment came straight from a distributor. The bag SG of all fish was at 1.014 and I am assuming they have it under hypo to prevent ich. I acclimated them up to 1.019 over a 4-5 hour period. Should the fish be in this lower SG for a week or get them back up to normal SG soon? All of them are in seperate QT at this time.

 

[skibum9884]

I would ease it up over a few days at least. There are many reasons they come at such a low SG. Some of which include to prevent ich, but I think it's mainly to save cost in terms of salt.

 

[Inklinkerman]

It 'rests' the fish as it doesn't have to work so hard to eliminate salt from the body.

 

[snorvich]

I deal with one very well known vendor who ships at 1.025; however I placed one order with a another well known vendor who ships at 1.019. I strongly prefer the first vendor for this among other reasons.

 

[flameangel9]

SG going up is hard on fish. With the bulk of us salt water enthusiasts being reefers it makes sense to send fish already acclimated to 1.025. If they do this without notifying customers its a sin. This puts an immediate strain on any fish they ship. Its unnessary and IMO shows a lack of concern for the fishes well being. Its great that you tested and picked up on this but I'd be willing to bet that 50% of the buyers might not. I would steer clear of any vendor that did this particularly if they don't inform the buyer.

 

[snorvich]

SG going up is hard on fish. With the bulk of us salt water enthusiasts being reefers it makes sense to send fish already acclimated to 1.025. If they do this without notifying customers its a sin. This puts an immediate strain on any fish they ship. Its unnessary and IMO shows a lack of concern for the fishes well being. Its great that you tested and picked up on this but I'd be willing to bet that 50% of the buyers might not. I would steer clear of any vendor that did this particularly if they don't inform the buyer.

I was not informed. However, I always test the water of all things I receive but I suspect that is unusual. I no longer deal with that vendor.

 

[Ben_Im]

You'll be fine. Regardless of what you read online, most hardy fish can be brought into reef- level salinity from hyposalinity within a day.

I know I'll get flamed for this, but I've done hyposalinity treatments on fish with cryptocaryon (kept there fore 4 weeks) and drip acclimated them to my reef (1.026) within 5 hours. That was 8 months ago, and all of them are alive now.

 

[Voyager22]

4-6 hours of acclimating it should be fine, what kind of fish is it?

 

[Tek]

From my experience fish I have had for years can withstand most changes in PH or salinity from unintentional mishaps through the years. New fish are more sensitive due to the time they were caught from the ocean to my house and any other trauma between that. I am going to increase the SG a point per day and my biggest fear at this point is getting them to eat. Thank you for all the replies!

 

[Tek]

As for the fish. Powder blue, naso, and regal tang. The powder seams to have some abrasion or lesions near the mouth, but the other two are perfect specimens. I will need to treat the Powder blue with antibiotics to be safe.

 

[travis32]

Just another thought, but how are you testing the water.

I tested water from the LFS. and it was at 1.019, My water was at 1.026 (where i wanted it). Within a couple days of adding the fish I had my sally lightfoot die on me. I knew all my parameters were good so I ordered a refrac. Tested the water. MY water was 1.030 - 1.031. Based on far off I was, the LFS water was around 1.024-1.025.

I'm assuming you tested with a refrac, and if so, that is crazy. Thankfully I acclimated mine over 3 hours, changing out half cup water every 15 minutes until I got both the fish and my water at the same Sg. Both the fish I got that day are still alive today even after lowering my sg over a 1 week period. That was just around a month ago.

 

[LargeAngels]

1.014 is not hypo and won't be affective against ich. Need it to be down to 1.010 for ich.

 

[snorvich]

1.014 is not hypo and won't be affective against ich. Need it to be down to 1.010 for ich.

Actually, if I recall, it is 1.009. Certainly 1.014 will do nothing for ich.

 

[LargeAngels]

1.010-1.009. But that is REALLY close to the limit of what the fish can tolerate so caution and accurate instrument is advised.

 

[Tek]

I acclimated the fish to 1.025 and the regal tang has brightened up considerably. I am using a normal hydrometer that has worked great for me these past few years. I had a clam arrive last week and it tested at 1.025 from the bag with the same hydrometer, but I will definitely purchase a refrac on my next supply order.

The fish are Ich free at this point and the Powder blue is going under copper and antibiotics. It looks like he has white pimples near his mouth and 3 other spots on one side of his body. Definitely not ich or fungus at this point.