Acclimating Wild Caught specimens

[TKC747]

A question for Ed Martin and Tony and any one else who buys wild caught specimens. I did a search for this topic but could not find anything on this forum. I was wondering what you're supposed to do. Like are specimen blasted with antiparasite medication shortly after they are caught or does the buyer have to do this. What about quarantines and all that. In general, I would like to see a thread on this topic of acclimating wild caught specimens as they are very pricey.

Thanks

[triscuit]

Oh boy- good question. :coz:

I know it really depends on the importer how long they quarantine the WCs before offering them for sale. Last time I bought from BlueChip Aquatics, he wanted to watch the WC cyprichromis for a week before he'd sell them. He also told me he didn't treat them with anything unless they showed signs of disease.

My experience is limited and only with Tangs, but I've found acclimating WC to my tanks easier than it was for many tank-raised specimens. My theory is that all the weak fish have already been removed from the population of WCs that actually reach the US. I also wonder if WCs are used to more variable conditions than TR fish. And, of course, adult fish seem to travel better than juveniles.

With any new fish, I quarantine for at least three weeks. With WCs (and questionably sourced TRs), I will spend week 2 administering metronidazole, epsom salts, and fasting. I'm sure the new fish have bugs my old fish haven't seen before, and the metro/salt/fasting will take care of some of them without seeming to bother the fish.

Some folks don't bother with buffering or modifying their tap water pH... but I don't think I would ever risk that with WC fish. Of course, over a period of months, you could make small changes in pH and hardness, but I recommend matching lake conditions relatively well for taking in WC fish.

There's lots of folks here who have much more experience, and so I'm eager to read their responses too! :thumba:

[TKC747]

Thanks Mel, I was wondering actually more about how to get rid of potential parasites, which you answered. Thanks :)

[nick a]

All the WC fish have gone thru a Q proceedure at the importer. The time between capture .....shipping.....release from the Q at the importer is long enough typically for any issues to display (& be resolved).

Next the fish go to a distributor (unless you're lucky enough to live in ECCLand!:coool!:). Potential problems can occur at this stop so .....

...........whenever you bring new fish in (WC or F57), Q-time!

I never have added medications prophylactically. I watch carefully and probably 95% of the time nothing is needed.

It is not as important as it would seem to match lake parameters....try to determine what conditions the fish were kept in JUST before they came to you.

[Tony]

Like Tris and Nick said, most importers will quarantine their fish when they first bring them in. I generally simply quarantine and fish when I first get them if the are wild or coming from questionable sources.

If they look fins, I don't do anything other than observe them. If any in the batch are showing any signs of parasites - sunken bellies, etc, I prefer a half dosage of Formalin.... I know, it's rough stuff, but works.

I like the epson salt/metro plan. Definitely a good idea.