Oxymonacanthus longirostris pair enters a mixed reef environment

Normally I agree with not purchasing certain animals at stores to discourage the LFS from bringing them in again, but I didn't want to spend big $ when I knew the odds were against me being successful with keeping the fish.

I now have the Nutramar Ova and may try again with a healthy pair of OSFF if the opportunity presents itself.
 
That sux. However, figure 10 days at LFS with no food, plus however long the fish was in the "system" between collection and the wholesaler...not a good start for a fish with the OSFF's food requirements, to say the least.

If you want a fish from the LFS, as Renee said, it's best to plan it out so the fish gets to you immediately upon showing up at the LFS, and even then, it shouldn't be too emaciated.
 
I hope you'll forgive me for being so blunt, but the following makes no sense.

"Normally I agree with not purchasing certain animals at stores to discourage the LFS from bringing them in again, but I didn't want to spend big $ when I knew the odds were against me being successful with keeping the fish."

If you knew the odds were against you then A) Why did you try the fish and B) Why wouldn't you spend a little extra to try to get the healthiest specimen with the best chance of survival?

:strange:
 
I bought the fish due to others' reported success and hoped I might achieve similar results. The fish was on the thin side, but not horribly so and a healthy fish can go several weeks without eating. So, I figured for $20 it was worth a shot. Kind of an impulse purchase coupled with some knowledge and hope ;)
 
Fair enough. Not trying to kick you when you're down, Monkeyfish, just speaking about the philosophy behind our fish purchase choices. It sounds like you made a reasonable choice to me.
 
No harm done. Your advice was sound (B). I think I may try again, but this time buy a pair via order so it will go directly from the wholesaler to me. I have a friend who is in the industry.
 
small alien said:
Tylt33, any update on your pair?
Click to expand...

Mine are still alive and kicking. Probably the most worthwhile fish purchase I've ever made for these two reasons:

1. They are ridiculously easy to keep. I don't even have to feed them. My tank is a 120g which used to be SPS only. I've given away and sold most of my sps, but I still have square feet of SPS. Watching them eat my Sunset and Rainbow Montis along with my Emma's Jedi Mind Trick brings me a sick pleasure. They won't eat prepared food, but I think the coral out grows how much they eat. They are bulging at the sides. Fat little piggies!

2. These fish are so bold! I have a Leopard Wrasse Harem and a Copperband Butterfly (amongst other fish) that would ALWAYS hide! The OSFF are acting as a dither fish and are keeping all of my other fish out in the open when anyone comes around now. My fiance asked me why my fish are so brave all of a sudden! The tank is so much more interesting now!!!
 
Monkeyfish said:
I bought the fish due to others' reported success and hoped I might achieve similar results.;)
Click to expand...

There has been overwhelming success with these because a lot if people are buying them from Divers Den. The ones at the fish store still should be bought by experienced keepers IMO, or at least by someone fully prepared to try.
 
Indeed. We shouldn't get over-confident. I would sure be interested to know how DD handles and trains these fish.

I have an RBTA in my 75 with my files. No problems. I do have a pair of clowns in the anemone so that may help protect it, but the files don't seem the least bit interested in nibbling it if that's what you're wondering. I also have a small flower nem. No attention is paid it by the files.

They don't seem to like anything to stingy. They go for lobos and fungia and SPS, but not Euphyllia, Tubastrea, anemones, Duncans. They don't seem to dig long stingy tentacles. Also no interest in Zoas, shrooms, etc. Did see the male pick at a green tree leather thingy a bit last evening. Other than a few things like my Tubastreas and anemones, I don't really care if they do some nibbling.
 
Mine finally started eating the seriatopora frag I put in the tank... It's about 90% gone now. He still seems to prefer the prepared foods, but when the doser runs out and I don't feed him myself for a few hours he starts picking at the sps. IME these guys can eat almost continuously throughout the day. He will eat until he's full and exactly one hour later be hungry again. He has not harmed anything else, although I only have a couple of goniopora frags everything else is plants and macros.
 
small alien said:
Indeed. We shouldn't get over-confident. I would sure be interested to know how DD handles and trains these fish.

I have an RBTA in my 75 with my files. No problems. I do have a pair of clowns in the anemone so that may help protect it, but the files don't seem the least bit interested in nibbling it if that's what you're wondering. I also have a small flower nem. No attention is paid it by the files.

They don't seem to like anything to stingy. They go for lobos and fungia and SPS, but not Euphyllia, Tubastrea, anemones, Duncans. They don't seem to dig long stingy tentacles. Also no interest in Zoas, shrooms, etc. Did see the male pick at a green tree leather thingy a bit last evening. Other than a few things like my Tubastreas and anemones, I don't really care if they do some nibbling.
Click to expand...

I'm worried about the RBTA eating them... never owned an anemone before, and care much more about my fish than any other marine life I could own.
 
Tylt33 said:
I'm worried about the RBTA eating them... never owned an anemone before, and care much more about my fish than any other marine life I could own.
Click to expand...

I am not worried about it at all. I think the fish get it and they're very free swimming. Also, I don't believe RBTAs tend to be fish eaters. I might be nervous with a carpet.

I'm with you, it's about these files now, period. :)
 
small alien said:
I see. So are you suggesting the conversion process is not that hard with a healthy fish?
Click to expand...

No, it's still hard. But you have more time to try. Sitting in the store for 10 days.... that's 10 days less of training you get. Most of them don't have the reserve to live through the conversion.
 
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