Stressed True Percula - after road trip

[pilotrob]

Ill begin by saying how impressed i am with Superior Aquarium in Superior, Wisconsin.

Ok I got 2 true percula clowns in wisconsin this morning and drove with them back to grand forks, nd. fish were in a bag that was in a box that i wrapped my sleeping bag around to keep temperature constant. They were probably like that for about 5 hours. Upon getting to north dakota i acclimated as normal for a half hour or so and then put them in (as ive done MANY times before. they are beautiful fish but the larger one is very stressed- breathing heavy and laying on its side in the back corner. the smaller one is fine and is hovering above her and fanning her a little (they seem to be a mated pair). anyway ive never traveled long distances with fish and im wondering if anyone out there has any tips for helping both her and me out :) .

By the Way, I highly recommend Superior Aquarium! they are very helpful and have a very nice store. I called after getting home about my female percula and i was told that if she didnt make it they would either refund my money (which wasnt much by the way) or ship me a new one! i couldnt believe that! but id really rather just have her recover.

[Brock Fluharty]

I've had this happen a few times with many other fish, and I think the best thing to do for a stressed fish because of traveling or acclimation is move them around a bit, I hold them gently and move them headfirst so that water can circulate through their gills and mouth. I don't know if this is really the best method, but i've done it before with success.



Brock

[Sugar Magnolia]

Rob, did the pet store pump oxygen into the bag for you before closing it up? What size bag did they put those two clowns in? I'm suspecting that the 2 clowns in one bag would have pretty quickly depleted their oxygen supply without if their was no added O2 in the bag.. I hope the larger one comes around for you. That's the only thing I could see being the problem if the clown seemed fine at the store.

[pilotrob]

yeah i thought of that. they didnt have O2. he put them in a really big bag (same bag). She made it through the night but shes not looking great. she will swim around a little and then get stuck against the filter. I keep pushing her off of there and she swims but always ends up in the same place

[Sugar Magnolia]

Did your powerhead come with a sponge to put over the intake? Put that on if you have one. You could also get a large Lee's specimen holder to hang inside the tank and keep her in there to keep her safe. Actually, any of those cheapo critter cages meant for small reptiles, that have the vented/mesh top would work. The larger the better. Put her in that and put the lid on so she's be safe while she recouperates. I sure hope she pulls through for you!

[Mickey]

Well did she pull through :o
I hope so

[pilotrob]

no unfortunately the female didnt make it. i guess it was just too much. ive still got the male and hes doing great - hes found a new companion in a firefish and is eating like a pig (or like a clownfish).

[FishinInTheDark]

Really pretty little perc, Rob!

Sorry about the female, though. :rip:

[icereefer]

Man I'm sorry to hear Rob, I wish I would of known you where having this problem sooner. we could of set her in my return side of my sump.
she would of been safe there and would of got plenty of 02 in there.
well I hope it all works out fine with you on your replacement.
Jim

[pilotrob]

oh thats no problem jim. this all happened over a month ago. the LFS said theyd replace it but im not going to worry about it. when i bought them they were mis-priced so i got them really cheap.