The Quest For True SAEs

Shark Boy

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Just over a week ago, I went to the LFS that I usually use to pick up what I thought were SAEs. However, a few days after I got them home I began to doubt they were what I had been led to believe.

After a bit of reading (thanks to a link in another thread) it became apparent that what I actually had were the 'false' siamensis. So, this past Saturday I went to a different store and managed to locate a tank of 'the real thing'. Yay, I thought. Well, after getting them home (About a half hour drive) I pulled out the bag ready to float them in the tank, only to discover that one was DOA and the other wasn't looking too good either.

So, my girlfriend called the store we got them from (She'd picked up a Clown Plec from the same place) and asked if we could bring them back, which was okay. Unfortunately it was only twenty minutes til the placed closed so we weren't going to make it in time, but luckily, after much pleading/demanding we got the place to agree to meet us out the bag with a fresh pair. I was a bit wary after having the loss already, so I made sure this time I really studied the pair a good few minutes before agreeing to take them - which wasn't helped by the fact they just wouldn't stay still! :lol:

Anyway, they were still fine by the time I got home this time, and seem to be doing just fine in my tank now. One of them was even following me about as I was using the magnetic algae scraper earllier! However, I'm worried that the pair of imposters I have in the tank will not be compatible with them, as they seem to chase them everytime they see them. Is this likely to continue? I have someone who has already agreed to take them off my hands if neccessary, assuming I can actually catch them. They sure do move fast.

Whew, the lengths you have to go to get what you want...

(As a side note, the clown plec, 'Jeff', is doing fine in my girlfriend's tank also, despite ending up driving home, back to the shop and home again while still in the bag. Must be a lot tougher than those first two SAEs.)
 
Most of the fish that are sold as SAE's that turn out not to be are in fact, quite aggressive towards each other and fish that look similar to themselves. If they are all small, it may settle down after a few days, but as they get older, they will probably return to their ways and start chasing the SAE's and each other, and sometimes anything else that they happen to take offence too. If you can get rid of them easily, I would probably do so.
 
As of this evening, the imposters have been evicted from the tank and now have residency elsewhere. Almost immediately, the SAEs have become more active in their swimming about the tank. I guess they were getting harrassed more than I originally thought.

It probably took me over half an hour to catch the pair, and that was using two nets at once. It didn't help that my tiger barbs seemed to love getting in the way. :grr:
 

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