How long can a tigrinus survive in a bag

[dudefish82]

I don't really know what to tell you. It's a gamble with any fish, tig or not, especially in your case, since, if I understood it right, in one day all tigs at that LFS will be sold; hence, if one wanted a tig, they would have to take risks. IME, I don't find tigs to be sensitive. But I have been told of some bad tig shipments, where most or all would perish shortly after arrival.

Properly packed fish under oxygen is usually good for 48 hours.

The way I see it, there are pros and cons to leaving the tig at the LFS for a day. One con is that the fish will need to acclimate to a new water and tank twice, instead of once, and in short succession. Stress tends to build up.

I am not quite certain what Moe and Ron are saying. That the temp acclimation is all that's needed / reasonable? No need to gradually acclimate to pH, hardness, etc.? Why do people drip acclimate?

I am not criticizing but looking to learn. My default acclimation method is empty the water and fish from a bag into a bucket. Add water from tank stepwise until the water in the bucket is 75%-90% tank water. Sometimes I do it in 3 steps over a 20-30 min. It could take as many as 10 steps and 1-2 hours. Depends on fish, the temp difference, etc.



I'd like to read more on this because I don't get it. The water in the shipping bag is under almost pure oxygen.

Hey how do you add in water with air line or small cups..
So if I float the fish 20-30mins in water..add fish with tank water to bucket with ammonia detox add cup of water every 10 minutes until 80% full then slowly put the fish in.

 

[thebiggerthebetter]

I don't use ammonia detox. It may be wise or it may not. I don't know enough on the topic. If we are talking something like Ammo-Lock liquid, a small amount may be ok. It can stress the fish further too, especially at higher doses.

If it comes in blue water, likely a bag buddy tab was added, which includes ammonia binder.

Air line with a tap is easy to do. That would amount to drip acclimation.

I use a cup or a pitcher, depending on the amount of water in the bag.

Whatever one does, I think it is important to observe / keep an eye on the fish in acclimation.

 

[dudefish82]

I don't use ammonia detox. It may be wise or it may not. I don't know enough on the topic. If we are talking something like Ammo-Lock liquid, a small amount may be ok. It can stress the fish further too, especially at higher doses.

If it comes in blue water, likely a bag buddy tab was added, which includes ammonia binder.

Air line with a tap is easy to do. That would amount to drip acclimation.

I use a cup or a pitcher, depending on the amount of water in the bag.

Whatever one does, I think it is important to observe / keep an eye on the fish in acclimation.

Iam not sure but it arrived in a blue bag.
I will be picking him up tommorow.
Using a airline I will slowly acclimate him.
Hopefully nothing happens cant be too sure.
Or should I just keep in bag for 20-30mins and remove bag water and put him in the tank?

 

[moe214]

You get the water flowing through the line then tie a knot not to tight, and let it sit for 10-15 minutes, or I use an old pellet container for like shrimp pellets and use it to put water in every two to three minutes

 

[dudefish82]

You get the water flowing through the line then tie a knot not to tight, and let it sit for 10-15 minutes, or I use an old pellet container for like shrimp pellets and use it to put water in every two to three minutes

Thanks alot!!

 

[100fuegos]

Puting any fresh imported fish in a LFS tank is always a risk. Call my OCD but if I were you and had to drive six hours to get the fish I would take a bucket of water, my own water, with me and an air pump. Wait for the fish to arrive to the LFS, open the bag get the fish with my hands and plop it into my bucket of water.

Never ever heard of any fish suffering a shock by jumping in warm water. Temp acclimating is just another waste of time while leaving the the fish for more time than needed in the bag. Not to mention opening the bag and leting air into it or even mixing tank water with bag water.

Do not let the fish get in contact with nets or hands other than yours at the LFS.

I recon it is already too late but better late than never. It may be useful next time ot to anybody.

 

[moe214]

Puting any fresh imported fish in a LFS tank is always a risk. Call my OCD but if I were you and had to drive six hours to get the fish I would take a bucket of water, my own water, with me and an air pump. Wait for the fish to arrive to the LFS, open the bag get the fish with my hands and plop it into my bucket of water.

Never ever heard of any fish suffering a shock by jumping in warm water. Temp acclimating is just another waste of time while leaving the the fish for more time than needed in the bag. Not to mention opening the bag and leting air into it or even mixing tank water with bag water.

Do not let the fish get in contact with nets or hands other than yours at the LFS.

I recon it is already too late but better late than never. It may be useful next time ot to anybody.

Any reasoning? Rather reckless to just throw a fish in new water. I've witnessed fish die at an lfs due to the water being added being to hot so it surely is possible though your tank water shouldn't be that hot. And who's to say his lfs hasn't been around for years and knows what they're doing. Pessimistic to say it's to late.

 

[skjl47]

get the fish with my hands and plop it into my bucket of water.

Temp acclimating is just another waste of time while leaving the the fish

Hello; Catch fish with my hands? No thanks. I will also continue to "waste" the time it takes to acclimate for temperature and for possible different water conditions.
I guess your argument about a lack of documentation is correct. I know of no studies. Thought of what it might take to set up such a study and I am not going to do so.
I am going to fall back on what seems logical to me. Acclimation may not be absolutely needed but I do not see it causing any harm.

I will continue in my procedures and others can follow your methods if they so choose. We each get to run our tanks any way we wish.

Also there is another point to the OP's question. That being the risk of a fish damaged in shipment. Let the fish shop that does the ordering be on the hook if the fish don't make it after being put into their tanks or accept the fish in the shipping bag and take the risk myself. I have done it both ways. I prefer that the fish shop keep the fish a few days anymore.
Note I get that the buyer is being pressured to "take the fish right away" or lose the chance. Anymore there are not any fish so important to me that I will succumb to that sort of pressure.
I use to almost have a second home at a fish shop I spent so much time there. I saw many times newly arrived fish die within a day or so. Just my 2 cents.

 

[dudefish82]

Thanks for everyone who gave me advice!!!
The fish was kept in the bag for around 48 hours. Only one fish arrived this shipment..
Bought him home drip acclimated for 20 -25mins.. put him in tank.
Today he ate bloodworms .
Whats a suitable temperature for a Tigrinus. Will try to convert to pellets when he is fully established..
Thanks again everyone

 

[moe214]

Good to hear he ate already. As far as tankmates, nothing to aggressive or nothing that'll eat it and vice versa