The sea hare is continuing to hang around at the surface. It has made a few trips to the bottom of the tank, but not for long. I fear that it may have ran its course.
But the sea hare isn't the reason I am posting tonight. Today, and yesterday actually, were quite intense for me. It started out with a trip to the LFS so that I could start preparing for my new project. I ended looking at a pair of bicolored foxfaces that have been there for a few weeks. larger ones, probably 4 to 5 inches. I've always loved foxfaces, but ever since my salinity issue I've been reluctant to get more fish. With the current state of my algae, I was convinced quite easily that I should take them home. The manager who has been awesome for me, gave me both for the price of one. I think he wanted to keep them together. So as I've mentioned many times before, I'm over an hour away from the LFS, and my wife also needed to make a few stops. Should have been no problem but by the time I got home and set the bags in for a float I realized that they had both been packaged rather poorly and that they had tore through many layers of baggage. One was particularly bad, as the closest bag to him had almost completely closed in on him. I rushed the float obviously and was unable to salvage much of the LFS water. So here they were in my acclimation containers, one with just enough water, but clearly stressed out and in real bad shape. I tested salinity. First mine which I always keep at 1.024. Then I tested the LFS which is normally at 1.025. 1.028!?!? That didn't seem right. I came to the conclusion that my refractometer was damaged and giving me false readings. Luckily I had just got a PinPoint salinity monitor. After calibration, turns out I was mislead and my water was actually at 1.020, the the LFS was at 1.025. I wasn't going to be able to rush the dripping for these poor foxfaces. I had about 50 gallons of saltwater ready to go, although I did have to add some more salt. DId a water change, and then started the drip. After the water change my salinity was up 1.022. Quick, I know, but I didn't know what else to do, without losing both foxfaces. All my inverts, and both tangs, took the rather quick change just fine. Hours had passed and the foxfaces looked terrible. One was real bad. Finally I had to just accept that they were likely not going to make the transition and it was time to add them to the tank. One of the foxfaces was in rough shape but his coloration was great. That was a positive sign. The other didn't do much but turn pale and huff and puff. Soon, it was on its side. I turned in for the night expecting to see two dead foxfaces in the morning, I was crushed. By morning the one had acclimated quite well and was overlooking his sickly friend who now seemed to be clearly on the last little bit. I was also dripping a higer salt mix and the salinity was at 1.023 in the tank. The better of the two wouldn't leave the others side. It was quite depressing. I left the tank for the afternoon and returned home hours later. Expecting the worse I went to check on the tank only to see two foxfaces swiming around side by side. Coloration great. Still breathing a little hard, but I was thrilled!!! I don't know if I am totally in the clear yet. I will feel much better when they seem totally at ease in their new home. Surprisingly, all the inverts, Sea Hare included are still fine after all of that. Both Tangs are loving life as usual. I hope their new roomies are well in the morning.
Unfortunately I've had to learn some lessons the hard way. I was trusting faulty testing equipment and never took the proper steps to ensure I was getting accurate information. Had I known my salinity wasn't acceptable, I certainly wouldn't have added additional livestock. Luckily for me, I think I may have dodged a bullet. Keeping my fingers crossed that come morning I see some energetic foxfaces!
Cheers everyone
. It appears healthy, is it laying eggs by chance? Do I need to intervene? I can attempt to get Picts but I don't think that's going to be an easy task, where it is positioned.
