Recent Aquistion of True Percs

[Dolphirefighter]

I bought a mated pair of true percs from the LFS thursday night. I introduced them that night with the lights off. The next morning, as expected the fish were swimming at the top of the tank. That night when the lights were off again, they were swimming in the bottom of the tank near the glass in a sand depression....i would call it. Now this morning they are at the top of the tank again, seperated. The female on oneside of the tank, the male on the other. They don't have any abnormalities to note, and seem to be swimming fine. The current looked a bit excessive last night, I turned one pump of this am. They are in a 34 gallon red sea max so the systems is self contained. They do appear to be breathing fast. I turned the lights out again, to see if that will help, but really...I'm at a lost....is this normal, what can i do. Should I take em back to the LFS (he's a marine biologist, he will know what to do right)....PLEASE HELP.

[saltaddict]

My percs also stay at the bottom corner of the tank when lights are out. They have always done this, it seems to be their territory in the tank at night.
Have you checked your parameters to make sure your PH and such are in check?
Do you have other fish in the tank that could be harassing them?
If all is well with the parameters, no harassment and the fish are eating when offered food - then I would watch closely and give them some time to adjust.
Rhonda

[Dolphirefighter]

Params are all wnl. i have a pygmy angel a lawnmower and peppermint shrimp. i also bought a anemone for them.

[Dolphirefighter]

also they havent started eating yet...although the female almost did this am. They are wild percs

[saltaddict]

I have one wild caught and and one tank bred.
They are good pals but only the tank bred has taken to an anemone thus far. The wild caught seems to stay away from all of the anemones and gravitates towards huge mushrooms for cover.

What are you feeding?

If not already, try adding garlic (liquid) to the food to entice eating. I always keep frozen reef plankton on hand because when my percs snub other food they will always eat the reef plankton.

What is the return time on fish at the store? Mine is 72 hrs - I would try to entice eating and if it doesn't work I would consider talking to them about returning the fish.

How long did the LFS have the fish prior to your purchase?

Did you see them eat at the store before purchase?

Rhonda

[CarmieJo]

How long has your tank been set up? It sounds like you did not use QT and just introduced them straight to the DT. How long did the LFS have them? If they are wild caught and have not been in captivity long they won't recognize what you are offering as being food. Also, the fish already in your DT know it is food and gobble it up before the clowns have an opportunity to try it.

If they aren't eating and you can return them I definitely would. Plus if your tank is not at least 6 months old I'd return the anemone. Then I'd get t QT tank before I bought anything else. That way your new critters have a place to live while they are adapting to captivity and learning to eat and you don't run the risk of introducing disease or parasites into your DT.

[rayme07]

Originally Posted by Dolphirefighter

i also bought a anemone for them.

Originally Posted by CarmieJo

Plus if your tank is not at least 6 months old I'd return the anemone.

Just a question shouldnt an anemone be in atleast in a 40 gallon or larger tank for growing room just wondering Iv herd they need alot of room and light to. Thanks

[CarmieJo]

A minimum tank size would depend on the type of anemone. My bubbletip is 9-10 inches in diameter. Most types need strong lighting.

[Dolphirefighter]

In a bone headed move...you were right, fish are now in QT. The male is now eating (with some help of garlic). The LFS guy is great...he is a Marine Biologist and is real knowledgable and has been more than willing to answer all my questions. THanks for keeping my blonde roots in check with the fish. It did appear yesterday that the female had a white speck....keeping my eye out on that one. She still hasn't eaten....as of yet..but will give it a few more days. The LFS guy said that if anything happened he would replace the fish (not really what I want...I want the fish to survive poor things). The male seems better and acclimating...As far as the anemone goes...he is doing fine...and he will be fine for my tank. It's really not that shy of 40 gal...and the tank has been up longer than 6 months. One more addition though...I didn't know the peppermint shrimp were gonna pick on the anemone ...they might be finding a new home...


THANKS EVERYONE....I will keep you posted

[CarmieJo]

I am glad that you have moved the clowns to QT and that the male has started to eat. I would say that is is not normal for the peps to pick on the anemone.