We've all done it!!! Bought fish on impulse only to be sorry and usually poorer later. Money wasted in an expensive hobby is counter productive. If you want to wast money, send it to me!!!
Here are my rules when looking to purchase a fish. Yes, I follow my rules.
1. Look past the beauty. Most of us see the beauty in the fish and buy it. In my lifetime, I have interrupted many people looking to buy an obviously sick or distressed fish. I'll walk up to them and say, "I wouldn't buy that fish, if it were my choice". That leads to a conversation about why. It gave me many opportunities to teach a newbie a lesson and gain a friend. So, look past the beauty is lesson number one.
2. Thoroughly look for external parasites. If visible, avoid it like the plaque. It isn't that you can't cure it with quarantine, copper, dips and a good feeding regimen. You risk contaminating your home tank environment no matter how careful you are. It isn't worth it.
3. Always request to see the fish eat. If the LFS refuses for any reason or excuse, don't buy it. Tell the LFS, you will not be buying it for that reason!
4. Put a hold on the fish for 24 hours minimum, longer if possible. You could say, "Would you hold this fish for a couple of days for me?". If they agree, make sure they mark the tank that that fish is sold, with your name on it. If there are multiple specimens choose one and be sure it's marked properly. There may be six specimens but you may want a specific one. If it isn't there when you go back, be skeptical of the rest and willing to walk away.
5. Never buy on impulse. Ha!!! This is so hard to resist but, so important. That's one reason for putting a hold on the fish. You need time to check your emotions besides allowing the fish to show it's true colors. Don't be afraid to go back to the LFS and decline the fish. Make sure you are ready to quarantine and that the fish "fits" your display tank.
6. Research. While the fish is on hold, do your research on the fish. Ask yourself questions, can I take care of this fish? Is it appropriate for my system? Is it's ADULT size compatible with my current tank? Never buy a fish that "fits" into your current tank on the basis that you are going to upgrade before it outgrows your current system. The future is totally unpredictable, live in the now. There will be another specimen of that fish when your system is appropriate. Trying to stunt it is not an option, it's cruelty.
7. System readiness. First prerequisite last on the list because system readiness should be a given. If you are in the aquarium hobby, your system's working ability should be top notch, fine tuned and ready for anything with few exceptions (like power failures).
Following these seven simple rules will help bring more enjoyment and less expense to your reefing hobby. It will make the statement, "Happy Reefing" more than a cliché.
Happy Reefing!
Dick
__________________ Amphibious
Reaching my 70th BD, I realize that I cannot help but grow old. However, I refuse to grow up!!! My wife would tell you, "He may be 70 but, He's going on 17". Life is wonderful with a woman like that.
The Internet is becoming a viable option in buying livestock for our DTs.
Be sure you realize, you take the responsibility for your purchase as soon as you click the buy button.
Yep, they have a live arrival guarantee. For the most part it's worth less than the cyber space it's written on. Usually, 99% of the time, it states, "credit will be given on your next order". Do you see what they just did??? You want your money's worth so you place another order. It's a game of "Gotcha".
That isn't to say there aren't good on-line suppliers. It's a warning that you are responsible to research first. How do you research on-line suppliers? Ask here if anyone has had experience with the on-line supplier you're thinking about using. It doesn't guarantee your order will be handled properly but could help you avoid a "bad" supplier. They are out there in "cyber land".
Happy Reefing.
Dick
__________________ Amphibious
Reaching my 70th BD, I realize that I cannot help but grow old. However, I refuse to grow up!!! My wife would tell you, "He may be 70 but, He's going on 17". Life is wonderful with a woman like that.
Once I go through all of those steps...I am the pain in the butt customer that always asks them to catch the fish without a net. I hate watching people catch a fish with a net , smashing them half of the time, then squeeze it with the net between their fingers, then let it slide through the squeezed net into the bag or box. Maybe it is just coincidence, but I always have better luck with fish that don't get netted.
Catching a fish in an LFS tank without a net is easier than you think. Just put one of those clear boxes down on the bottom, on it's short end, up against the wall facing left or right. If you put your hand, or anything else, in the tank and follow the wall around CW or CCW the fish will always go away from you try to herd them alogn the glass and they quickly swim into the open box, then scoop the box out.
To quote Ron Burgundy..."60% of the time, it works every time"
this is now a sticky and i moved it to the general fish forum.
GREAT article Dick !! wonder if we can get you on a Live Podcast ??
Thank you, everyone. It's common sense really but, many hobbyists keep making the same mistakes. I hope this brings clarity to the art of picking specimens that have a good chance to live in our care.
You know guys, (and girls), I owe you all an apology. I truly have meant to pick up the phone and make that call on TR Live. I know I would enjoy talking with you. Maybe even add something of importance to the conversation. Since TR Live started a few months ago, I think about it a few days in advance, maybe even during the day of a call. Then, somewhere around 9:30/10 pm, I come to my computer to check e-mails, go on TR and there is that notice near the top, "TR Live is on now" or something like that. I feel so bad, but I keep forgetting about it at the time to get on. Is it senility setting in??? All of you know that I care deeply about my friends on TR. Look at the time right now - 4:25 am. I couldn't sleep. Where am I? On TR!!!
Carmie is so good at PMing me when she wants me to respond to a post, maybe she could jog me to reality on Sunday after noon. I hate to have to rely on her, though. I'll do better.
Dick
__________________ Amphibious
Reaching my 70th BD, I realize that I cannot help but grow old. However, I refuse to grow up!!! My wife would tell you, "He may be 70 but, He's going on 17". Life is wonderful with a woman like that.
not really a big deal Dick, we ALL have lives that require 30 hours a day to get everything done !! we will see if we can give you a little nudge the evening of the next show. kinda like a tap on the shoulder. i think that you would have a really great time doing the show with us AND interacting with everyone in the chatroom (we all know how you like to help) !!
__________________ Bobby
"I FORMERLY glued animals to rocks" NO TANK RIGHT NOW, but you never know when I might throw one together !! I have everything I need but the time!!
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Reaching my 70th BD, I realize that I cannot help but grow old. However, I refuse to grow up!!! My wife would tell you, "He may be 70 but, He's going on 17". Life is wonderful with a woman like that.
Awesome Dick! I'd also like to add to the section on buying a juvenile fish with the hopes of upgrading in order to accommodate it. Not only is there the possibility that the upgrade never happens, but you could also end up tearing your entire tank apart to try to catch the fish!
And I think QUARANTINE should be added to the last rule of BUYING NEW FISH!! If only we all would do this, we could save hours of frustration and wads of bills!
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