So, I picked up a blackcap basslet today from my LFS, and for the first time in my 12 years of reefing, it didn't even make it past acclimation. I didn't do anything particularly different with this guy - after the drive home, floated him for about 20-25 minutes, then into the acclimation container. From there, added 1/2 cup of tank water to his container every 15 minutes, then turned off the lights and powerheads in the tank and added him to the tank. Well, after the second time I added water, I noticed him swimming upside down at the top of the container. It didn't concern me too much at the time, because I know that they have a habit of swimming upside down.
By the time I put him in the tank, he was fully upside down... and then when I put him in, it was obvious that he wasn't just being a basslet, because he was just drifting in the current from the return pump. He was still breathing, but made no effort to swim. Finally he settled up against the overflow... hoping that he was just tired, and not wanting to stress him, I left him alone for 15-20 minutes. But when I came back, he was no longer breathing and was stiff as a board. Suspecting that he was at this point an ex-fish, I pulled him out of the tank; no struggle on his part whatsoever. Which wasn't surprising, being dead and all.
So, my question... was there something else I should have done to acclimate a blackcap, or did I just happen to get a fish that was on his way out already?
By the time I put him in the tank, he was fully upside down... and then when I put him in, it was obvious that he wasn't just being a basslet, because he was just drifting in the current from the return pump. He was still breathing, but made no effort to swim. Finally he settled up against the overflow... hoping that he was just tired, and not wanting to stress him, I left him alone for 15-20 minutes. But when I came back, he was no longer breathing and was stiff as a board. Suspecting that he was at this point an ex-fish, I pulled him out of the tank; no struggle on his part whatsoever. Which wasn't surprising, being dead and all.
So, my question... was there something else I should have done to acclimate a blackcap, or did I just happen to get a fish that was on his way out already?