How to Choose Healthy Saltwater Fish by greg.chernoffOne of the most exciting parts of fish keeping is going down to your local aquarium store, browsing through their selection of fish, and picking out a few to take home with you. Or, if you buy marine fish online, getting your box from the delivery truck and unboxing your new pets. But unfortunately, many stores and holding facilities have problems in their systems. This may be parasites, contaminates, bacteria, aggressive fish, or even simple water parameter issues. It seems like every single beginner crashes their tank by introducing ich, velvet, or flukes within their first year of keeping saltwater aquariums, and it all stems from receiving fish in sub-par conditions and not fully quarantining them. As you advance further into this hobby, it is important to know what to watch out for in new arrivals. It’s much better to pass on a fish you have wanted for a long time than to impulsively purchase it, not quarantine, and wipe out your entire tank. Some of the fish most at risk for carrying diseases are considered “expert level” animals, so don’t let your guard down just because you have gotten lucky with beginner fish! Signs of Stress As we all know, stress in and of itself is enough to kill a fish. And, species that are known for being higher maintenance are much more fragile and are killed easier by stress. Signs may be subtle, so it’s important to watch your potential new fish carefully at the store. Darting through the tank, faded color, fast breathing, hiding in a corner or rock, or gasping near the surface are all signs of stress. These may also indicate illness. The biggest thing to watch for is his willingness to eat. Before purchasing any fish, ask the store employee to feed it. If the fish has no interest in eating, it is not a good idea to buy him as the added stress of going into your tank will only add to the problem, and he will never start eating. Preferably, have them feed pellets unless you are interested in picky fish such as Anthias or Copperband Butterflies. If a fish is eating dry foods, it is a sign that he is acclimated to aquarium life and is settling in nicely. Feeding live foods to the tank will likely elicit a feeding response from every fish in it, and is not a great indicator for how the fish is doing. I have personally had fish come in from across the world and be willing to eat live brine an hour after being put in the tank, but still be extremely stressed and unwilling to eat any frozen or dry foods for a week. Fish caught with cyanide will also be extremely reluctant to eat. [CFish] Signs of Injury While injuries heal, it is possible that they are extensive and causing a great deal of stress to the fish, so it is better to pick another animal in better shape. Nipped fins, scratched eyes, missing scales, and bite marks are all things to watch out for when picking new additions. Natural immune systems are also typically suppressed if the fish has injuries. What If I Buy Marine Fish Online? If you are in an area with no local fish stores, you may have no choice but to order saltwater livestock online. While this takes away your ability to observe the fish in person, it does not mean you are completely buying blind. If you purchase captive bred animals, it is much less likely that you will receive a fish with any type of disease. And, captive bred fish ship better, and usually exhibit way fewer signs of stress as opposed to their wild caught counterparts. Couple this with supporting sustainable aquarium practices, and a 0% chance your fish has been exposed to cyanide, and you are purchasing quality livestock! But, some fish haven’t been bred in captivity yet and that is okay too. Good, reputable online fish stores will guarantee that their fish arrive alive and disease free, so your investment is protected. And, good sources will also be willing to talk to you about the exact fish you are purchasing. This will tell you if you are buying from an honest, reputable source. Many places where you can buy marine fish online seem like they are in possession of what they sell, but are merely a drop ship company who acts as a hands-off middleman. That means, you pay them, they pay the fish wholesaler for a fish, and the wholesale facility ships the fish directly to you in a website labeled box. In this case, the company you paid never saw the animal and there is very little quality or health control, and you are buying completely blind. Reach out to the online store through phone, email, or social media and ask about the fish you are interested in. I have personally done this and been extremely happy with the results. Companies have been more than willing to email me pictures of the fish they had in stock, and a few even sent me videos of my fish eating to show that they were in good health before sending them out. Obviously, this isn’t needed for captive bred livestock who have lived their entire lives in captivity, but it is a very good idea for any wild caught specimens you are interested in. Signs of Disease Obviously, we all know how to look for ich and velvet, any white spots on the fish means it stays at the store. Some diseases are more cryptic, so be willing to sit and watch the fish for a few minutes to see if you can pick up on any subtle hints. Cloudy or enlarged eye(s), faint red streaks or marks, enlarged or laboring gills, “slime” looking substances on clownfish, red or dark patches on chromis or butterflies, white or dark patches, erratic swimming, sunken belly or face, deterioration on fins, HLLE, wrasses unable to eat or close their mouths, cotton like growths, tiny tumors, or whitish coating over dull coloration are all signs of disease. If you see any of these, leave the fish at the store. A Note About Quarantine No matter what, you should always quarantine new fish. Even if the online retailer or local fish shop said they fully quarantine their fish, you should still do it at home as well. At a minimum, keep your new additions in a separate observation tank for two to four weeks. This will enable you to increase their feeding response, and settle in before going into the display and having to compete with others. Most disease will also present themselves during this time. Medicating their food with an antibiotic (preferably one for gram negative and one gram positive bacteria), anti-parasitic, and binder, and medicating the water column with Praziquantel and copper (not simultaneously) are standard quarantine procedures that will further ensure your fish are all as healthy as possible and greatly reduce the chances that stress or a new addition to the tank will cause mayhem. A few extra weeks of dealing with an extra tank for quarantine is a small price to pay for keeping your display tank healthy and safe. Conclusion Even though buying new fish is extremely exciting, it must be done responsibly and with care. Taking the time to observe your potential purchases and quarantining new arrivals are crucial steps in protecting your investment. Whether you buy marine fish online or in store, you can make sure you aren’t buying a stressed, injured, or diseased fish by knowing a few simple signs to look out for. [CFish]
Sean Beaver says December 23, 2019 at 3:25 pm I have been fairly lucky with the fish I have taken home. But that luck will run out one day. Great read and makes me want to set up a quarantine tank. Reply
Ellen Aparicio says December 27, 2019 at 3:21 pm I have been in the hobby since the nineties and the quality of fish has definitely gone down. quarantining is always a good idea if you have the means to accomplish it. Reply
Donna L Holder says December 27, 2019 at 6:51 pm its hard to raise fish. they die easy. i need help with it Reply
Kyle says January 4, 2020 at 3:13 pm Quarantine and ways of minimizing risk with new additions is something that many can learn more about Reply
Austin beach says January 5, 2020 at 11:56 am I love my 10 gallon quarantine tank with a hang on filter it has been going successful with water changes only before buying new fish and treatment has been great Reply
melissa sharp says January 1, 2020 at 2:20 pm Do they do something to the water when they ship them to support the shipments? Reply
Asad Khan says December 23, 2019 at 3:31 pm I have started a very aggressive and thorough qt process after losing my tomini tang. Very helpful write up. Reply
Jayda Patterson says December 23, 2019 at 4:01 pm I knew the importance of quarantining new fish, but did not know what signs to look for when assessing stressed fish. Reply
Kristen Maves says December 23, 2019 at 4:49 pm The hardest part for me is to quarantine! I have no patience but I really need to get in this habit. Reply
tragikzmd says December 23, 2019 at 4:50 pm I don’t quarantine but I try to pick out healthy fish at the LFS. Reply
bad72nova says December 30, 2019 at 6:07 pm Always good to read other sources for healthy fish keeping Reply
michael p says December 23, 2019 at 5:41 pm QT always, especially if you buy something from Petco! Reply
Chris Buswell says December 23, 2019 at 6:09 pm The value of quarantine cannot be overstated. Few vendors of live fish have the space and time to do an adequate job of holding the fish in low stress environments, let alone any extended quarantine or prophylactic process. Reply
Adam Lyndaker says December 23, 2019 at 6:51 pm Quarantine is definitely a necessity and a good relationship with your lfs is always helpful. Reply
Felix Roeschert says December 23, 2019 at 9:47 pm To be honest, I‘ve never quarantined a fish for my reef tank. Reply
Leo Minegishi says December 23, 2019 at 10:12 pm I totally agree with quarantining, just not quarantining w/ “prophylactic” treatments that will end up stressing the fish. Reply
Matt Traylor says December 23, 2019 at 10:15 pm Always a good idea to do as much research as possible, realize that each fish has an individual personality, and make sure that it will fit in with your system. QT is CRITICAL….always! But, starting with a healthy appearing fish will give you a head start. Reply
Regina Delph says December 30, 2019 at 4:05 pm Wow I thought I knew everything about making sure fish are healthy but I didnt. Reply
Paul Kachirsky says December 23, 2019 at 10:19 pm I always QT no matter what. It is not worth the risk on having issues in the display tank Reply
Brian Badge says December 23, 2019 at 10:45 pm Good knowledge to have. We have so much invested in these aquariums. Reply
connorw88 says December 24, 2019 at 12:37 am If I’m just setting up my first tank, what’s the best way to setup a quartine tank? Or do I really just need to set up two tanks to begin with? Reply
Cole says December 24, 2019 at 12:41 am I wish there was just an easy reef safe way to treat ick Reply
Julianne Morgan says December 24, 2019 at 12:44 am I love this. I have a quarantine on stand by. Reply
Nicholas Nevins says December 24, 2019 at 1:24 am I dont even have my tank running yet and already have the supplies to quarantine i have all the time to get my fish tank ready Reply
jason frames says December 24, 2019 at 1:43 am This really helped as I’m still new to the whole quarantine thing thanks Reply
Josha Mitchell says December 24, 2019 at 2:52 am Awesome read and quarantine is the only way to go! Reply
Kyle hagger says December 24, 2019 at 5:57 am Quarantine your fish even if the store said they have Reply
Bo Heath Kinsland says December 29, 2019 at 7:58 pm Ive been looking into some fish from a local pet store and based off of this article, they are no where near healthy so i know where not to buy from now. Thanks! Reply
ekersd says December 24, 2019 at 8:03 am Quarantine kills or stresses more fishes than it saves. IMO. Reply
David DeMarco says December 24, 2019 at 9:21 am Qt is a big part of this hobby. If done correctly will leave almost 0 room for introduction of unwanted organisms. Reply
Catherine says December 24, 2019 at 9:57 am You definitely need to be careful when choosing from the lfs. Reply
Joe car says December 24, 2019 at 11:29 am Qt is important, if you don’t eventually you will run into an issue. Reply
Hasan Sarsour says December 24, 2019 at 3:03 pm It’s so hard to be patient when buying a new fish! Reply
David Woolf says December 24, 2019 at 5:27 pm Great info and echo the comments on quarantine, it’s worth the effort! Reply
GODLY MoTiOnZ says December 24, 2019 at 10:07 pm The quarantine is very underrated due to the fact not a lot of hobbyists have two tanks just for quarantine Reply
Allen says December 24, 2019 at 10:37 pm I always try to put fish on hold at fish stores. I feel if it makes it the 5 days on hold, it has a better chance of making it. Reply
Jose Pacheco says December 25, 2019 at 3:00 am I don’t have quarantine tank, but try pick the healthy fish in my LFS Reply
Richard Varone says December 25, 2019 at 1:03 pm Great info, the need to quarantine can’t be over stressed haha! Reply
Jennifer says December 25, 2019 at 6:26 pm Great blog if you wanna find out how too buy and keep quality fish healthy and alive Reply
Frank Fodera says December 25, 2019 at 7:32 pm Understanding fish health is essential. Thank you for sharing this information. Reply
Ricky Dube says December 26, 2019 at 9:08 am Wish I had known this a few years ago when I started haha Reply
Ansu Abraham says December 26, 2019 at 10:48 am Have to care for the fish just as much as the corals we get. Reply
dcallahan56789 says December 26, 2019 at 12:12 pm Captive Bred is always an excellent way to go!! I hope those breeders are hard at work, bringing us some new species!! did a great job on the yellow tang Reply
Casey Whittington says December 26, 2019 at 12:56 pm Love this post, I’ve often seen people get too excited over buying fish they are no ready for.. Post like this helps educate people, then it’s up to them to put the info to use because this is awesome information Reply
Nicholas Hagstrom says December 26, 2019 at 7:51 pm Great read I’ll definitely be referring to this quite a bit Reply
Omar Pardo says December 27, 2019 at 1:10 am Surprisingly there was some stuff I wasn’t aware of, great post! Reply
Drew Rollman says December 27, 2019 at 9:53 am Its amazing the quality of fish at different local fish stores. One always gets great fish in but their system is loaded with Ich. I don’t know why they don’t treat it. I’ve purchased a few knowing this and have gone strait to tank transfer method. Reply
Cheryl Taylor says December 27, 2019 at 11:43 am Book marking this one! No matter how much we know , this is great information to always have! Thank you! Reply
Meghan Mulkerin says December 27, 2019 at 1:01 pm Quarantine is great for getting the fish healthy before you risk the tank and the stress on new fish Reply
Meghan Mulkerin says December 27, 2019 at 1:08 pm I’m sad how healthy fish can look in stores only to die at home. I’ve had some develop fun fingus shortly after and die. Reply
conner stumpf says December 27, 2019 at 3:10 pm these tips are huge. start off on the right foot Reply
Robert Paniagua says December 27, 2019 at 6:48 pm Good to know since I’m on the market for fish again Reply
Courtney Hoard says December 27, 2019 at 6:54 pm I have never thought about asking for the fish to be fed before I bought them. I’ve always checked out their scales and looked at their tank mates. If any was dead I normally steered clear of thank tank. Reply
Jean Pattison says December 27, 2019 at 8:33 pm After having reef fish on-and-off since the 70s, I have been thru the ups-n-downs, but the last 15 years has been good to me when choosing fish. Reply
Michael Quinones says December 27, 2019 at 11:19 pm Recently picked up some iched out clowns. Treating now. They seem healthy. Eating and doing clown stuff. What would constitute the “perfect” quarantine tank? Reply
littlemoma1985 says December 28, 2019 at 10:37 am We don’t have a lot of stores so this is good to read Reply
Alejandro Rodriguez says December 28, 2019 at 9:16 pm Always better to be safe than sorry especially when dealing with expensive aquarium fish. Always quarantine any new stock. Reply
Julian says December 28, 2019 at 10:00 pm Always read the reviews for online sellers and their guarantees Reply
ssemme says December 29, 2019 at 9:42 am Great post that brings awareness to many areas the hobby needs to approve upon. Reply
Julian says December 28, 2019 at 10:02 pm Look at guarantees, reviews, and shipping when online shopping Reply
Edward Raposo says December 29, 2019 at 12:52 am I’ve had a few fish from big chain pet shops due in a very short time. Good to know what to look for! Reply
Madeline says December 29, 2019 at 5:54 pm This is important information for hobbyists of any level! Reply
Chris Roberts says December 29, 2019 at 8:27 pm i find that most mom and pop places near me have better prices but worse health. growing up they were always the best. but not anymore. Reply
Doffrey says December 29, 2019 at 9:26 pm I’ve always had freshwater tanks, but I’m thinking of getting into saltwater, so thanks for the heads up! Reply
Rudy A Garcia says December 29, 2019 at 10:24 pm Great info, although at the same time I feel like it should be common sense to avoid purchasing any animal that looks like it is in bad health. But then again, I know some people take being sympathetic way too far and never stop to consider what is actually best for the whether or not they can provide the most likely extremely special care it needs in order to recover. Reply
Jaime Quintanilla says December 29, 2019 at 11:07 pm Man I forgot to quarantine one fish and ick killed everyone Reply
Jaime Quintanilla says December 29, 2019 at 11:08 pm I got ick from not quarantining and it killed all my fish Reply
Jaime Quintanilla says December 29, 2019 at 11:10 pm All it took is one sick fish to whip out my systen Reply
Anthony Sansone says December 30, 2019 at 1:01 am I also choose one shop and only go there. It seems to help out with heath as well! Reply
Patrick Stephens says December 30, 2019 at 6:07 am We personally run a 210g Quarantine Tank. QT for no less than 45 days while also using tank transfer method! Great info! Keep up the great work!! Reply
Greg says December 30, 2019 at 8:59 am I usually try and go with captive bred and always make sure fish are eating before bringing them home. I usually only buy fish from 1 trusted lfs in my area Reply
Greg says December 30, 2019 at 9:01 am I only buy fish from 1 trusted lfs in my area. Always make sure they’re eating and no signs of being sick. Try and buy captive bred whenever possible Reply
Erick Blais says December 30, 2019 at 11:55 am I have been lucky with not quarantining. Probably need to start doing it. Reply
Tian Sorg says December 30, 2019 at 12:27 pm I learned this lesson the hard way! Thanks for the good read! Reply
James walker says December 30, 2019 at 1:28 pm Always always qt no natter how healthy or reliable the source Reply
Krystal Whittington says December 30, 2019 at 4:29 pm Interesting read. Often you seem to have to ask stores are they Captive Raised or Wild Caught Reply
Bethany Souza says December 30, 2019 at 5:24 pm Quarantine is always a good idea but so hard…and or… cost so much… Reply
Max Humbach says December 30, 2019 at 8:06 pm This saves a lot of heartache later down the road! Reply
samuelwalker1996 says December 30, 2019 at 8:10 pm Always quarantine your fish for a healthy tank! Reply
Dustin says December 31, 2019 at 5:54 am Great tips!!! I am very picky with fish for a reason, always watch them be fed at the store to! Reply
John Louis says December 31, 2019 at 8:56 am This is probably one of the most important information for fish keepers, you have to go to the fish store knowing what you are doing so you decrease the chance of loosing fish and money, this should be shared everywhere. Reply
jennifershea says December 31, 2019 at 10:18 am I learned the hard way with not QT my fish! Never again will I not QT. Reply
Karie Mabus says December 31, 2019 at 10:55 am Quarantine quarantine quarantine! Did I say quarantine! 🙂 Reply
Mike says December 31, 2019 at 1:59 pm Quarantine is super important and often always overlooked. Reply
Kim Eberhart says December 31, 2019 at 3:19 pm Great article. I am cycling a tank now and beginning to set up a QT tank. I didn’t have one the first time around and totally regret it. I plan on doing things right this time! Reply
leyerin31 says December 31, 2019 at 3:56 pm Glad to know what to look for and what to avoid when getting my first fish. Reply
Cassie schmick says December 31, 2019 at 6:03 pm Should always check fish before you buy and put in QT. Thanks for the information! Reply
Cassie schmick says December 31, 2019 at 6:04 pm QT is super important and some people don’t even realize that. Thanks for the info! Reply
Alisa Tejeda says January 1, 2020 at 1:05 pm the whole process of bringing fish home is the most fun Reply
Tina R Rice says January 1, 2020 at 1:54 pm Im bad about quarantining my fish. I just acclimate and give the fish a day in quarantine.illtry harder Reply
Tami Rose says January 1, 2020 at 2:02 pm I’ve been lucky for the most part. My partner has no patience and wants to dump anything right into the display 🙁 Reply
Edgar Alvarez says January 1, 2020 at 9:36 pm A reputable breeder and quarantine are your best friends. Reply
chris peters says January 2, 2020 at 3:55 am Anything good in a reef tank happens slowly. Definitely quarantine (unless you can’t wait lol). Reply
Waiz says January 2, 2020 at 6:01 am never quranteened but so far so good guess i just got lucky Reply
ainarm says January 2, 2020 at 8:16 am So far most of my fish from the LFS have been in good shape. Have lost a couple due to unknown reasons. Reply
Paul Marvin says January 2, 2020 at 10:45 am I always ask for them to feed the fish before j buy it. If it eats, it’s a good sign of a stress-free and healthy fish Reply
Elizabeth Mack says January 2, 2020 at 12:26 pm Since I hope to get my first saltwater tank ever soon (I had 9 Cichlid tanks ages ago) so this was very helpful. That has been a huge concern and why I didnt do salt in the oast. Reply
Kaity says January 3, 2020 at 12:08 am This is a really good read!! I only have one fish right now. I won’t go into detail how I got him, but he was missing an eye. Well he has been a part of our family for almost 3 years so he is just meant to be with us. I agree with everything said in how to pick the best fish especially for beginners!! Happy 2020 everyone!! Reply
Anthony says January 3, 2020 at 7:35 am HAPPY HOLIDAYS I LVOE THIS ARTICLE AND THIS GIVEAWAY THANK YOU Reply
megan_kim says January 3, 2020 at 8:42 am I think my local fish store needs to read these articles Reply
Jonathan Dahl says January 3, 2020 at 9:27 pm Quarantine seems like such a pain, until you get a fish disease. I am guilty of not using a quarantine system for my fish or coral. I have been lucky with my fish, but would have been able to avoid vermatid snail and flatworms with my coral. A quarantine will be part of my bigger build before I start to cycle it. Reply
pinckark11 says January 4, 2020 at 1:29 am Great review and reinforcement of the importance of sustainable practices and protecting your animals through quarantine. Thank you! Reply
Paul Brown says January 4, 2020 at 7:20 am One on my LFS writes the date that they received the fish on the display tank. This is a good indication that the fish has been taking food. Reply
kathy pease says January 4, 2020 at 12:10 pm I have done that before get home and the fish dies. This is very helpful. Reply
josephine bylsma says January 4, 2020 at 1:42 pm This is such great info for anyone just getting into the hobby, I had to learn to quarantine my fish the hard way Reply
kameronkh3 says January 5, 2020 at 1:22 am I unfortunately lost a six line wrasse to ich. Luckily I managed to treat my fish in the tank with metroplex before it was too late and managed to save my tank after a hefty water change! I definitely learned my lesson! Reply
Julian Pillans says January 5, 2020 at 9:20 am Most people fear the extra care and time a QT will take, but it doesn’t have to be a full blown system like yours main display to take care of your new addition and protect your tank! QT for the win Reply
oscar101802 says January 5, 2020 at 9:56 am Great article, I normally look for the fish that eats and swim, and good color Reply
Amber Kolb says January 5, 2020 at 11:20 am These are some great tips! Thank you! I will be sharing with my husband as well. Reply
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