Just got my Rariant Wrasse from DD yesterday, got to see it for about 30 sec. before it vanished into the sandbed. I know they sometimes stay burried for days after being introduced, and I'm not going to dig (even tho I know right where he is), but it is soooo very tempting. He looked great, you gotta love DD.
So how long before I start digging?
- Thread starter Seths Dad
- Start date
Microcosmos
Member
Congrats on your find! When it pokes its head out, please snap and post a pic! 
Ralph ATL
Formerly mysterybox
give it time......a few days.....
goodtimes2
New member
My ornate leopard wrasse was in the sand for 8 days before it showed up , it is now showing up every day and after 10 days , is just starting to eat. I know of one person who had a wrasse stay in their sand for over 2 weeks before it appeared.
Found it this morning dead, very dissapointed. I have had tanks off and on since the mid 80's and I can't remember ever having a fish not make it through acclimation, had some that did not thrive and died within a few weeks but never this quickly. This was my first attempt with a wrasse, acclimated him for almost 2 hrs. I did notice he was very lethargic and would lay flat on his side in the bag, not a good sign with most fish, but most fish don't bury themselves in the sand either. Such a waste of a beautiful fish.
goodtimes2
New member
Sorry to hear the news. It is very common to see wrasses lay on their side during accclimation as it is a first sign of stress, but normally not a big deal.
SushiGirl
Premium Member
2 hours is a very long time after it's been in the bag for a couple of days. As soon as you open the bag, ammonia soars and does damage to the fish.
Sk8r had a great thread on the subject of over-acclimation, but I can't find it since search isn't working & it doesn't appear to be a sticky. Here's a comment on what happens in the bag, though http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showpost.php?p=17983399&postcount=21
Sk8r had a great thread on the subject of over-acclimation, but I can't find it since search isn't working & it doesn't appear to be a sticky. Here's a comment on what happens in the bag, though http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showpost.php?p=17983399&postcount=21
2 hours is a very long time after it's been in the bag for a couple of days. As soon as you open the bag, ammonia soars and does damage to the fish.
I normaly don't go that long, but I had it in my mind to be extra cautious and go slow, not sure why I changed my normal routine. I guess because I've heard how delicate they are, maybe not the best idea. I actually got the one on DD today and any advice would be appreciated. Don't want a repeat.
I normaly don't go that long, but I had it in my mind to be extra cautious and go slow, not sure why I changed my normal routine. I guess because I've heard how delicate they are, maybe not the best idea. I actually got the one on DD today and any advice would be appreciated. Don't want a repeat.
SushiGirl
Premium Member
I still haven't managed to find that acclimation thread, let me rummage around some more on various boards & see if I can find it for you. The gist is you want to temp acclimate before opening the bag, then match salinity and get the fish out of the bag within 30 minutes. That's for shipped fish, which yours will be.
Edit: Found it! http://web1.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1959576
Edit: Found it! http://web1.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1959576
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From the Sk8r link you gave me: "or it happens to the very experienced guy who normally doesn't acclimate too long, but has a prized rare fish he wants to take special care of---I started recommending this alternative to drip after reading a very sad post about a big and rare fish and a disaster."
Not that I'm "very experienced" but that is exactly what I did. I thought doing a slow, methodical acclimation would cause less stress. I normally go for about 30-45 mins. Thanks for the link SushiGirl, great info. I was lucky enough to get the Radiant on DD yesterday and it will be here Wed.
Not that I'm "very experienced" but that is exactly what I did. I thought doing a slow, methodical acclimation would cause less stress. I normally go for about 30-45 mins. Thanks for the link SushiGirl, great info. I was lucky enough to get the Radiant on DD yesterday and it will be here Wed.
nanoreef16g
Active member
Liveaquaria should refund your money no questions asked.
They did, no problems. That's one of the reasons I deal with'em.
Apparition
New member
My condolences for the fish. I do echo others here that a drip acclimation for shipped fish definitely has its risks as the moment the bag opens ammonia starts blooming and the ph will start to swing wildly. Matching the water in the bag to your QT is more complicated, but allows for a quick transfer from bag to tank and then adjustments can be done over time. If you aren't using a QT, then it becomes trickier and you should probably stick with your normal acclimation procedures as the quicker they get out of the bagged water the better.
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