Petco rescue....hate that place.

ncaldwell

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I did the same for a purple tang from there. He was more ich than fish by the time I got home for 20 bucks. I hate that there are no husbandry rules or laws they have to follow like they do for mammals
 
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bdejong1112o

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Well, this little guy is digging in deep. He has developed quite the personality. Yeah, I am attributing human behaviors to a fish, sue me. He is one cool character. Now instead of just getting him fat and happy I am trying to work out an introduction plan to gwt him to stay with me.

I am either going to build a acclimation box or buy a good one. I think this dude is worth every penny.

He does have a few zoa buddies in the tank with him now. I also have about 35 frags comming tom orow from WWC so he is going to have the best front lawn of any yellow tang out there. I will take some pics tomorrow....
 

FishFinatic ;)

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So I have a 20g running as a frag QT tank for a bunch, well let's say I had fun with the WWC auctions and end of year discounts. It's to many to dip at once and drop in the tank so I figured I would setup the 20g, put a rack in it and let the coral sit there while I deal with them. I figured it would run for a few weeks tops.

I built the rack, put the HOB filter on it, some rocks and two power heads to keep water moving. I needed some biospira. I always use this on setting up the temporary tank to kick start some bacteria. Maybe it helps, maybe it doesn't. I just do it. Being New year's day my options were limited so I ended up at Petco.

So I am looking at thier tanks. Typical Petco, red cyano, green slime alge and aptasia everywhere. Then I spot this poor little yellow tang. He was so thin and gaunt I just couldn't take looking at him. No alge clip or food for him in the tank at all. So I took him home.

The coral tank was already up and running so I figured I could at least get him fed and healthy and at worse give him to the local salt water fish store I trust.

I have used this same tank for QT of other fish and will keep the water good for him and the coral.

The positive is he started eating immediately when the seaweed clip was put in the tank.

I have a very light load in my main 220g tank and would love to add him there when he is healthy. However, I already have a desjardini sailfin tang which is the same species as the yellow. The desjardini is also about 4x the size.

What would be the best way to introduce him or shod I just not do it at all and send him off when he is good to go?

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Awwww... Thank you so much for helping that poor little yellow tang.... This "fish" world needs more people like you to help out. Thanks again from me and I'm sure everyone else, and I'm sure he thanks you too! :)
 

Moo76

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I have kept both together. like the idea of acclimation box just in case.
I had raised the Desjardini from about a quarter size baby. it was as big as my streached out hand. he would come plant himself right in front of my face when I was in the tank doing maintenance until i "bribed" him by feeding him by hand with some flake food.
Who says they don't have their individual personalities. :)
 
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bdejong1112o

bdejong1112o

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I am actually going to make my own aclimation box. Just couldnt get myself to fork over for something that I may only use for a few hours so I am taking the DIY route.

Picked up a medium size critter box. Its clear lexan or plastic, whatever. Got some big old suction cups from Michaels. Going to dremmel out the sides and bottom, cutting slots like the ones you can buy.

I will post pictures as long as it doesnt turn out like crap..... I think he will be ready by this weekend to get his first introduction. We shall see how it goes. I really hope he gets along as I am a bit attached....
 

Adele

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Great story Post. Can’t wait for the next installment.
 

mckinleyw

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Cant wait to see that box. I have one of those critter keepers that I may do the same thing to. Good job on that Yellow tang he is looking good.
 

Joeganja

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I’d like to disagree with the stereotypical ideology that Petco’s should be hated due to the employees may have poor knowledge on keeping saltwater fish. In fact I am the aquatics specialist at my store and being in the hobby for over 10 years now I’ve seen my fair share of bad Petco visits but when you put someone like me or anyone who’s been in this hobby for more than a couple of years and know how to deal with the basic Cyanobacteria, GHA, Ich, and not properly feeding them, then you won’t run into these issues. Would like to also note that we do occasionally get in fish we do not order called push orders and they’ll send us push orders monthly and whether our systems or placement may not be able to house them properly for extended periods of time I like to base off my ordering for the weeks to come based on push orders. I really apologize for anyone who’s a novice and has never dealt with ich or other diseases to have Petco tanks be the cause of it because of poor husbandry. Placement is key to eliminating stress, maintaining optimal water parameters, keeping fish fed proper diets, etc. are all going to attribute to keep from getting diseases, parasites, and malnourished fish. I educate my fellow co-workers on saltwater and freshwater so when I’m not there they can at least have an idea of what to do or what answers to certain questions there are as well as product knowledge or even having them contact me. I take pride of how I’m able to teach new hobbyists and guide them to success unlike your local store unfortunately and upon everything I acknowledge and appreciate positive feedback and returning customers because it shows trust and acknowledgement of what I know and all that I am willing to share.
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bdejong1112o

bdejong1112o

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@Joeganja, I am glad that you are finding a way to advocate and teach the people at your location. I did not intend to disparage your place of work. Maybe I should have titled the thread as I hate this specific place. We have several Petco's in our area but only one has saltwater fish available and it looks like an afterthought.

To me as a business that is specifically catering to the care, ownership, husbandry of pets they should not just convert a few of the tanks to saltwater and then see how it goes. If they are going to sell saltwater they, Petco should make the necessary investment and monitor the care and the state of the fish. Its a high standard for a retail location but I am certain that if they recieved a dog or cat in this condition it wouldnt be shoved in a cage and displayed for sale.

Feel free to share this post with your management and push it up the chain. I am more than happy to talk to someone at Petco who can actually make a difference. The local people cannot or are not willing to.

Keep up the good work at your location though, i wish I had the time and energy to help my local store...
 

ReefJake123

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That’s one store you should see the other 50 stores I’ve been to that have had some of the most disturbing fish tanks and horrible conditions
 

Joeganja

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Then it’s our job as aquarists and hobbyists to inform them of the poor husbandry and health for the well-being of the animals. You have all the ability to call the hotline as it should be around the store. Give your two cents, inform, push. I cannot stress how much that will make a difference especially when there is one saltwater carrying location around a wide majority of stores around you. They will listen because you care and they will understand you want better.
 

bigroost

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I know you have already made the decision, just wanted to chip in that I have a desjardini and a yellow tang in the same tank. It wasn't really planned but just worked out that way, they get along just fine. I was worried that there would be an issue but they have been fine for months now.
 

tsav87

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See the two tangs in my profile picture? They were Petco rescues as well! All skin and bones but both have rebounded nicely!
 

Krzydmnd

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I just stopped at my local petco for salt. They completely redid and cleaned up their saltwater tanks and they look great! Before doing this the tanks looked awful and the fish looked miserable. I asked to speak to the aqua specialist and told him what a great job they did and he was very thankful for the compliment. He said he's been trying hard for the past few months to get management to allow him to step up and do the right thing and they finally okd it.

He is a reefer and helped them create a cleaning and maintenance schedule that was pretty much non existing before.

Hopefully this catches on at corporate!
 

tsav87

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I just stopped at my local petco for salt. They completely redid and cleaned up their saltwater tanks and they look great! Before doing this the tanks looked awful and the fish looked miserable. I asked to speak to the aqua specialist and told him what a great job they did and he was very thankful for the compliment. He said he's been trying hard for the past few months to get management to allow him to step up and do the right thing and they finally okd it.

He is a reefer and helped them create a cleaning and maintenance schedule that was pretty much non existing before.

Hopefully this catches on at corporate!
I think this is a reacurring story at every PetCo I have visited. The aquaria specialist knows exactly what needs to be done but they can't get management to OK it.
 

Big G

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The delimma is that Petco’s have contributed to putting many LFS out of business. All that knowledge is gone too. Sad Amazing that they don’t take advantage of this higher dollar segment of the aquarium business.
 

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