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FAQs about Xanthichthys Triggerfishes, Systems
Related FAQs:
Xanthichthys Triggers 1, Xanthichthys
Triggers 2, & FAQs on Xanthichthys
Identification, Xanthichthys
Behavior, Xanthichthys
Compatibility, Xanthichthys
Selection, Xanthichthys Feeding,
Xanthichthys Disease, Xanthichthys
Reproduction, &
Triggerfishes in General, Triggerfish:
Identification,
Selection,
Selection 2,
Compatibility,
Behavior,
Systems,
Feeding,
Diseases,
Triggerfish Health 2, Reproduction,
Related Articles:
Xanthichthys Triggers,
Triggerfish,
Red Sea Triggerfishes, |
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Questionable Aquarium Service...Trying To Do What's Needed -
09/22/06
Dear Wet Web Crew,
<<Hello>>
My employer
has a beautiful 200-gallon salt-water tank, and has a tank service
that comes in and cares for this tank.
<<Ok>>
I have a
serious lack of confidence in this company because I did a little
research on your site and they have made many really bad mistakes.
<<Some do yes, but doesn't mean this one is "bad". Have you been
able to talk to other/previous customers of this company? Have they
done anything to make you feel uncomfortable with their level of
service?>>
First, they got the chemicals wrong in the tank,
which killed most of the fish.
<<Ahh...I see...sounds like you
may have good reason for your concerns...>>
Then, when they
replaced the fish, they brought us 5 crabs, a blue-throat
Triggerfish, 3 assorted angelfish
<<Mmm...>>
(in separate
bags. NOT introduced at the same time), and a pair of ocellaris
(among others). Of course, the Trigger ate the crabs
immediately. I am an administrative assistant with little/no
knowledge of fish, and have been tasked with taking care of their
diet, and making sure they get what they need.
<<Sounds like you
need to start doing some reading/researching my friend. Google
searches on our site and the NET re the species names will yield
much information>>
So I need a little advice from professionals
that actually care about the fish. After the initial eating of the
crabs, and the disappearance of one of the smaller Angelfish (which
after reading on your site I found out why <<...?>>), the
blue-throat trigger has started exhibiting odd behavior. He lies
down at the bottom of the tank on his right side, and just lays very
still for long periods on time.
<<Maybe not all that "odd" after
all. Is there live rock in this tank? (should be if there
isn't)...Does this tank have any type of decor/rock work? These
triggers will very often "rest" in a hole or crevice in the reef
during the day, and definitely at night. If the tank is not
suitably aquascaped the trigger may be merely "resting" on the
bottom of the tank>>
He is still eating well (They get frozen
shrimp, the cubed kind once a day, and Formula 2 the blue-green
algae variety flakes twice daily).
<<Do look in to obtaining
some New Life Spectrum Marine pellets and a frozen "Angel" food
formulated specifically for their care. Feed these AND the frozen
shrimp, with the flakes, twice daily>>
His color has faded a
bit, but he doesn't have any spot or slime on him, and he hasn't
rearranged the tank in a while- he used to do that all the time. I
read one of your entries about one having similar behavior in a 20
gallon tank, and you said the tank was too small but I don't think
that is the case here- the tank is
200 gallons.
<<Agreed...but that doesn't mean there aren't more/other
environmental factors at play here...such as water chemistry or the
"design" of the tank itself>>
Could he be malnourished or ill?
<<Maybe...the trigger needs several small feedings of meaty foods
daily. The Spectrum pelleted food and the frozen shrimp fed at
least twice a day will help. For even better nourishment of ALL the
fish, consider getting/soaking the food in Selcon and/or Vita-Chem a
couple times a week>>
And is there some product or variety of
food I should tell my boss to get for him?
<<Ah yes!...as
explained>>
Cordially,
Jane
<<I want to help Jane, do
write back if you need further clarification on anything...and try
to give me as much information about the system as you can
(filtration/maintenance/aquascaping (or lack of), etc.). Regards,
Eric Russell>>
Re: Questionable Aquarium Service...Trying
To Do What's Needed – 10/11/06
Dear Eric,
<<Hello Jane>>
I just wanted to thank you for your excellent advice.
<<Was my
pleasure to provide>>
It has been about two weeks since you
emailed me with the suggestions. We invested in New Life Spectrum
Marine Pellets, and we also purchased a lot more coral decorations
to go on the live rock.
<<This pelleted food is an excellent
staple for your fish>>
We hired a company to change out the
coral and clean the tank/maintain the filtration system every two
weeks.
<<Excellent...but I do hope you/someone “monitors’ the
tank on a daily basis>>
They have been instructed to bring in
lots of smaller shells and other such toys for the occupants.
<<Mmm...do be careful not to create detritus traps>>
Our
Bluethroat Triggerfish has perked up considerably; I think he may
have been suffering from boredom.
<<Indeed...these are
intelligent and personable fish...and somewhat “shy” at times. It’s
never good to place fish in a “plain glass box” devoid of proper
structure/hiding places...is very stressful>>
All the fish seem
to be a little brighter and a lot more active.
<<Good signs>>
Thanks again for your excellent advice and support.
<<I’m glad
it proved useful...thank you for the follow-up>>
Peace and
Blessings,
Jane
<<Regards, EricR>> |
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