Tailspot Blenny Pair from Diver's Den

[Kinetic]

Hi LiveAquaria!

You guys have one of the best customer service departments in the hobby! I never hesitate to purchase from you guys (well, I do hestitate because I spend so much money, but in terms of confidence I don't =).

I received the pair of tailspot blennies yesterday, packaged amazingly. I think they were in 4 or more bags! Both alive on arrival.

I did notice that both have a lot of white sploches on their backs, from head to tail. I know these are known on blennies which are super stressed, but this is pretty bad.

Do you think it's normal for them to be really splochy after shipping? Can this happen overnight? Where they like this before they were shipped? Anything I can do to help them?

Thanks!

 

[DFS]

Kinetic,

All blennies of the genus Ecsenius will become discolored or splotchy when stressed, and should regain their normal coloration once they settle into their new surroundings. Give them a day or two to become familiar with their new home; they are very hardy fish, with a great personality. Thank you for your order and we appreciate your business.

Happy Reefing,
Kevin Kohen
Director of LiveAquaria
Drs. Foster and Smith

 

[Kinetic]

Here they are! I couldn't get a picture with them together, but you can see in the first picture is one of them, almost no stress spots, the rest are of the stressed one with a lot of spots. The one without spots is starting to graze, while the other is still kind of scared. He does a sort of head bobbing when i try to feed it flakes and mysis, which is strange. I'm hoping he'll start eating soon!

They're totally hanging out together and cuddling in the same rock. LA has some great livestock!! They're TRUELY a pair!

white spots:

 

[Kinetic]

One of the blennies still has a lot of white spots, and is still a little thin, but better than before. grazes occasionally.

the other has gotten fat off of grazing around the tank.

where these feeding on prepared food before? One of them seems to try to eat flake food, but the flake food zips away and it doesn't seem like they can get a bite on them. Kind of like if you try to use two fingers to grab a flake under water, it just floats out of grasp...

The flake i tried was spirulina flakes... I also tried formula 2 pellets, but they freak out when i sprinkle the pellets near them since I cause a huge shadow.

 

[dfs/la2]

Kinetic,

Thank you for your response. These fish were being fed frozen Spirulina and flake herbivore preparations. We are more than happy to extend your warranty for one additional week to ensure they return to optimal health. Please let us know if we can be of any additional help.

Nate M.
LiveAquaria
Drs. Foster & Smith

 

[Kinetic]

thanks nate, I guess they know what flakes are then.

what kind of frozen spirulina where you using? and how did you feed them with it? thaw and dilute in water and turkey baste?

just hoping to get some tips to start getting them to start feeding. They should be doing ok with just grazing, but I want to help them out by feeding as well.

thanks!!

 

[dfs/la2]

Kinetic,

Thank you for your inquiry. We use item # 22972 Hikari Frozen Spirulina Brine Shrimp. This item is thawed and soaked in vitamins supplements, Garlic Extreme and Selcon. These specimens were in a bare bottom fish cube allowing the food to settle on the bottom, for them to graze on with no competition. If you are uncertain weather the blennies are eating, we suggest target feeding with a turkey baster or a bulb syringe.

We hope this additional information answers your questions.

Have a great evening!

Cassie Z.
LiveAquaria
Drs. Foster and Smith

 

[Kinetic]

Hi Cassie,
Thanks for the great information! I guess they are having trouble eating out of the water column, hopefully they'll learn, or else to eat off the bottom when it does hit the bottom. I also keep them in a bare bottom setup.

Thanks!!

- Art

 

[Kinetic]

One of the blennies died =( From the start it never recovered from its spots, and even though it was eating very well, it was still a bit pinched.

the other one is fat and colorful, eating a lot, bold and swimming around. it would chase and pester the one that just died all day. I don't know, but they didn't seem to be a pair after the bigger one got used to the tank.

it's too bad, i was really excited about receiving a real pair, and was hoping to see if I could breed them.

how were these two obtained and deemed to be a pair? I'm just curious.

 

[dfs/la2]

Kinetic,

We are sorry to hear that one of the Blennies did not make it in your aquarium. If you could please PM us your customer information or an order number for your purchase we will be happy to credit you for the loss of the Blenny.

These Blennies formed a bond in the wild and were collected together. This does not mean however that they have bred for us. We hope this helps explain the relationship of these Blennies.

Joyce F.
LiveAquaria
Drs. Foster & Smith

 

[dfs/la2]

Kinetic,

Thank you for your post and PM. We apologize you lost your Blenny they are a beautiful fish. We are very pleased to hear your Millipora is doing great!

We have replied to your PM, please feel free to contact us with any further questions or concerns.

Happy Reefing!

Michelle H.
LiveAquaria
Drs. Foster and Smith

 

[Kinetic]

Thanks a ton =) LiveAquaria is top notch. You really take care of your customers and animals/plants very well.