Purple Firefish problem

[jejton]

So update from my other thread - as of this morning both the remaining firefish and the shrimp goby are both MIA. While it is possible they managed to hide so well that I can't spot them, and arent coming out at all even to eat, I'm starting to think I screwed up their acclimation by not keeping the bucket heated ( though no clue as how I would do that being that it was such a small volume of water ) during the process. There is another possibility - they were eaten. The only fish that could have eaten them without leaving a trace ( yes I know CUC, but in the time frame they've been MIA I would have seen some trace like with the first one ) is my Pink-Spotted Shrimp Goby ( or Watchman Goby, I was told its the same ). Its mouth is definately big enough to swallow the small shrimp goby ( something like a Yasha goby but with red diagonal bars on a white background and one tall dorsal fin spike ) and possibly, if it was really hungry, the purple firefish, though I think that would have choked it. What do you all think ? They were beautiful and a good price so I'd like to try again but only if they are safe in my tank.

Also, any ideas how to fish my percular out of the overflow box? Its been five days now and he still hasnt come out or gone down the standpipe ( though I see him bobbing up now and then ).

 

[muntai]

is your tank covered?

 

[jejton]

Yes but there are gaps however I searched all around the tank to be sure and no corpse.

 

[jejton]

I liked the firefish so much that I went and bought two more. A few minutes ago I'm checking my tank and I see a purple tail sticking out from under a musrhroom rock. I'm thinking here's the other corpse so I gently move the rock with a prong and lo and behold its the missing fish - alive and well ( I think) ! So now I have three and hopefully they will do well ( and not be eaten by the pink spotted goby). I now have some hope of finding the missing shrimp goby. It's even smaller so more easily hidden in the tank. Who knows? Maybe it's paired up with my pistol shrimp.

 

[Domboski]

They are definitely good at hide and seek. Nice find!

As far as heating the bucket, ask KathyC. I borrowed a heater she had once for car transporting fish and corals and it would be perfect for that kind of acclimation. I can't remember the brand or where she got it.

 

[jejton]

the problem with using a heater is that i put barely enough water in the bucket to cover the fish and then add DT so I dont think its really enough for a heater. I think I'll try using a reptile heating mat under the bucket next time. What do other people do? I know I've seen photos of other people drip acclimating in containers too small for heaters.

 

[Domboski]

The heater kathy had could go in a few inches of water. Even less if laid on its side.

 

[meschaefer]

the problem with using a heater is that i put barely enough water in the bucket to cover the fish and then add DT so I dont think its really enough for a heater. I think I'll try using a reptile heating mat under the bucket next time. What do other people do? I know I've seen photos of other people drip acclimating in containers too small for heaters.

Quite frankly, heating the acclimation water has never been something I have worried about. I would think that if the room where you are doing the acclimation is set to a comfortable temperature, as opposed to doing it oustide in Febuary, any temp drop would be within acceptable ranges. I drip acclimate my fish over a few hours and have never had a problem that I would attribute to temp differences.