How Long Between Adding Batches of Fish

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I have an ammonia alert patch, and I'll be checking at least once a week manually.

I don't know how to sex them other than observing mating behavior or fighting amongst males. It was a hypothetical. I know they're a community species and do better in a group, so I'm trying to balance that with the space I have for them and the likelihood of shipping losses. I know other eels are escape artists. Are these guys that way too, considering they rarely/never leave their burrows?

Once burrowed down, garden eels do tend to stay put. However, new ones can slither out as they slide up the tank walls if stressed by being in a new tank. The Caribbean species is the worst in that regard.

Garden eel compatibility is weird - they live in communal colonies, but they also require a certain distance between each other in most cases. They will squabble if the distance between each eel is too small (due to limited space). However, I do see two eels cohabiting the same burrows once in awhile - I don't know why that is.

 

[Wandering Albatross]

Once burrowed down, garden eels do tend to stay put. However, new ones can slither out as they slide up the tank walls if stressed by being in a new tank. The Caribbean species is the worst in that regard.

Garden eel compatibility is weird - they live in communal colonies, but they also require a certain distance between each other in most cases. They will squabble if the distance between each eel is too small (due to limited space). However, I do see two eels cohabiting the same burrows once in awhile - I don't know why that is.

Watch the new ones, minimal concern once they get settled, gotcha. I'll be here on babysitting duty for every new addition, so if they try to get past the screen I'll be there to prevent/fix it. I think the acclimation bin might be a little trickier however...

Would you acclimate these guys longer than other fish given their sensitive nature, and how can I minimize their panic of being stuck in a plastic bin for that time?

 

[Dom]

I've been hoping Paul B would jump in with a rough timeframe. Each addition was going to be 2-4 fish, of those look similar and might squabble, to hopefully minimize that risk by putting everyone on an even playing field.

There are many variables to consider.

Is the fish being added territorial? If so, how much territory will they try to claim.

Also, the order in which you add fish is important.

 

[Wandering Albatross]

There are many variables to consider.

Is the fish being added territorial? If so, how much territory will they try to claim.

Also, the order in which you add fish is important.

Heard blennies and gobies will sometimes go at it as they compete for space, so they'd be all added together to give everyone a fair shake. Mandarins seem pretty immune, cardinals if I get them would go somewhere in between. Dottybacks would go last, clowns next to last. Where would royal gramma fit in?

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Watch the new ones, minimal concern once they get settled, gotcha. I'll be here on babysitting duty for every new addition, so if they try to get past the screen I'll be there to prevent/fix it. I think the acclimation bin might be a little trickier however...

Would you acclimate these guys longer than other fish given their sensitive nature, and how can I minimize their panic of being stuck in a plastic bin for that time?

For sure keep lights off when acclimating them, but you don’t need to acclimate them any longer than other fish.

I’m not sure what you mean about an acclimation bin though. They should be acclimated in the bag they came in (softer) and then added to the tank, you should never hold them in an acclimation tank.

 

[MnFish1]

Good morning all, I just got my first pair in yesterday, and they are doing phenomenal! Huge shout out to Eric over at Tankstop! These two are beautiful together, sharing a cave already and everything! Exactly what I was hoping for, well packaged and active in the bag, very pleased! I'll be ordering more from you soon! Toadstool opened sometime last night too, and he looks great so far.

Question of the day, how long do I need to wait before adding my next batch of fish? Planning 4 of the same type. Tank is 150g, 40g sump, 130ish lbs of rock, another small batch of tbs coming in later today. This first batch went in yesterday morning. Do I give it a week? 2? Does tank size vs fish size mean I could add sooner if the fish are smaller?

Blessings

I would tend to give it 2-3 months - and the reason is two-fold Its often better to ship when the temps outside are cooler, second - in case of a disease breakout - you will only have to worry about the current batch

 

[Wandering Albatross]

For sure keep lights off when acclimating them, but you don’t need to acclimate them any longer than other fish.

I’m not sure what you mean about an acclimation bin though. They should be acclimated in the bag they came in (softer) and then added to the tank, you should never hold them in an acclimation tank.

I was thinking later that the bag might be a touch safer since it has give and they might not damage their tails in it. The other 2 fish were acclimated in containers for easier observation, as I didn't know what to expect from an online vendor. Are you saying all fish should be fully acclimated in the bag only? After consideration I was planning to acclimate in the bag, then transfer once to a holding container with pure tank water, then after another 10 minutes or so let them in the tank. You're saying that extra step could be cut out?

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I was thinking later that the bag might be a touch safer since it has give and they might not damage their tails in it. The other 2 fish were acclimated in containers for easier observation, as I didn't know what to expect from an online vendor. Are you saying all fish should be fully acclimated in the bag only? After consideration I was planning to acclimate in the bag, then transfer once to a holding container with pure tank water, then after another 10 minutes or so let them in the tank. You're saying that extra step could be cut out?

I never use acclimation tanks, they just cause abrasion in a lot of fish. I will sometimes dim the lights when I release fish, and I do use large acclimation baskets with soft mesh when adding schooling fish to tanks with predatory fish in it.

Proper acclimation is key though:

https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/acclimation-methods.903/