Are corals typically fed by retailers?

[2poor2reef]

Specifically, I have noticed that the tubastrea that I normally see for sale exhibit signs of starvation: deeply cupped, etc. I wondered if it was common practice to feed these corals while they are being held for sale. For that matter, I am wondering about supplemental feeding for photosynthetic corals or live feeding for fish such as frogfish as well.

I suspect that many of these hard, expensive or time consuming to feed animals are not fed while being held for sale. I would like to know if I am wrong. If not, it would seem that part of the blame for the high incidence of hobbyist failure with these animals may be the poor condition of the animal at the time they are purchased. Many reefers may not know the signs of extreme malnutrition in tubastrea for instance and may not compensate initially as would be required.

 

[MaryHM]

I don't know of any wholesalers who specifically target feed corals. Too time consuming and too expensive for animals that are generally held for 3 days max. We have a natural system (deep sand bed), and the cycle of phytoplankton is more than enough to feed our corals- in fact we have Scleronepthya growing in our system! However, I don't know of any other wholesalers that utilize this type of filtration.

As far as fish go, most are fed a generic bulk flake food. Of course 90% of them won't touch it so basically its just fouling the water. We feed our fish a combination of brine shrimp (nutritionally void for the most part, but gets them to start eating), formula 2, krill, squid, shrimp, and natural algae that grows in our system. This is all soaked in a Kent Marine vitamin supplement- don't have the bottle here but I think it's called Zoe Marine or something similar. They get fed daily up until 2 days before shipout.

 

[JeffB]

IME Most wholesalers have such a quick turnover rate there basically isnt time to target feed but thats for common quickly moved species Im sure rthere are some that sit for days at a time but not sure.


Jeff

 

[2poor2reef]

I understand the quick inventiry turnover at wholesalers. My question is more about retailers. Specifically, things like sun corals and frogfish where time consuming or expensive spot feeding or live food is required.

These are two examples that I routinely notice look starved when I see them. Starved animals make for poor shippers, poor acclimators, etc. I would love to know what the average turnover time at the retail level is for an unusual fish like an angler. I'm sure many are only obtained via custom order but I have seen specimens sit in a retailer's tank for quite a while. If the angler isn't being fed a couple of times per week it's a problem in my experience, as I keep these fish myself. Many new hobbyists may screw around for a couple of weeks trying to get a newly acquired frogfish to eat frozen food when the fish is already in a starved condition.

I don't know, I'm just wondering how prevalent the problem is. I'm just getting the feeling that one reason a lot of the non-photosynthetic corals and live eating fish don't last long in hobbyist tanks is because they are not fed or are fed very low nutrient (but inexpensive) live foods like ghost shrimp or brine while being held for sale. Just a thought.

 

[Anonymous]

I feed my fish three times a day (combination of fresh shrimp, brine shrimp and spirulina). Corals are fed as needed depending on the species. I think you'll find that this varies greatly from retailer to retailer.

Glenn

 

[Anonymous]

i'm not sure if a generalization can be made, imo it really depends on the individual retailer.there are some who make every effort in caring for there stock, and i'm sure there are those who don't, and those who kinda do, kinda don't.you should be able to tell by asking 'em and evaluating the info.i think one fair assumption you can make is that if the system the're in indicates good care, and the staff seem well educated, they prob'ly are,but ask in detail anyway :!:

 

[Bill2]

Sounds like a reason for the USL or maybe the Restricted SL.

Bill

 

[JennM]

I have 2 Tubastrea (that were "surprises" from wholesaler BTW) and I target feed them with a baster. Several people have inquired about them, I've not sold them because most people frown at the "high maintenance" factor. That's OK with me, I'm not in a hurry to sell them to the first unsuspecting newbie that comes in...but that's just me

I feed all my corals: PhytoPlex, ChromaPlex, MicroVert, and Cyclopeez, (in rotation...not all at once) as well as they catch some of the mysis etc., that the fish receive, who dwell in my coral systems.

Jenn

 

[JeffB]

I misread Im sorry Yes we feed our fish every day and the corals every other. I do take the time to spot feed the ones that need it IE Sun Polyps etc. At our shop we do a pretty extenive talking and gaining research about a customers tank before we bag the corals to make sure that the customer understands and thier tank can support thier purchase.


Jeff

 

[2poor2reef]

It sounds like many/most of the retailers/wholesalers who frequent this board do feed. However, my experience based on the retailers I have frequented is that few of them feed the difficult feeders like tubastrea or the expensive to feed fish like anglers. That tells me what I should have known all along which is that the people who frequent these boards are the better retailers. I still doubt that the average retailer feeds these animals properly and that the poor condition of the animal at time of purchase contributes to the poor success rate of hobbyists with some of these specific animals.

 

[JennM]

I cannot disagree with that logic, 2poor. You're probably right.

I'd venture to guess that MOST retailers don't visit forums like this, and MOST hobbyists don't either.

It's too bad...

Jenn

 

[Anonymous]

I feed them.

If you bring these animals in and then don't bother to care for them properly, what's the point? You are only costing yourself money.

 

[2poor2reef]

Not if you can sell them before they die. That's the point.

 

[Anonymous]

Yeah but chances are they aren;t being fed anywhere along the way to the store. If the store doesn't feed them and at least have them looking healthy how are they going to sell them?

 

[2poor2reef]

The point I was making with my initial post is that most customers cannot tell a healthy tubastrea from one that is starving. It is time consuming to feed tubastrea. And most that I have seen in local stores over the years show signs of malnutrition. People buy them and subsequently lose them and I think the lack of feeding prior to sale may significantly contribute to the problem.

 

[flameangel1]

2poor2reef,,

for what it is worth, I refuse to bring in or stock Tubestrea !!!
I can feed them (pita), but I guarantee any customer that gets one, will eventually think it is too much trouble and the animal will slowly die.
I do not want to be any part of that.
If they are not here- the temptation is not here either.

Also , 99% of wild caught fish have no clue what they will be expected to recognize as food in captivity. I have to teach them to eat what the hobbyist will/might be feeding them. I feed all fish twice a day (more when customers want to see them eat and sometimes that is 8 + times a day)and feed a variety of foods.
Coral are fed when their "teeth" are out !!!

 

[2poor2reef]

Thanks Flame. The question was specific to difficult to feed animals such as anglers (frogfish) and tubastrea. I assume everyone generally feeds their fish. I doubt very seriously that you feed your anglers twice per day. They are typically fed twice per week.

I brought this up because I had been shopping anglers and had noticed the poor condition of virtually all the specimens I saw.

 

[flameangel1]

2poor2reef,

sorry that I could not finish the last post about the Anglers, but a customer came in.
I do not stock them, for the same reason I do not stock Tubestrea.

Do specialize in coral reef community systems, so can get away with not having all these fish that would be too large, rare/aggressive/specialty feeders and "non-community" fish .
If it is not here, and someone asks about an animal, I can just explain the pro's and cons and do not have to deal with the "you HAVE to sell it to me" types.
(yes, there really are some out there who can be very insistant and get angry when I refuse.)

 

[flameangel1]

2poor2reef,
By the way, don't assume that everyone feeds their fish/corals.
I doubt that many of them do !!!!
Most wholesalers DO NOT !!!

Well actually, what they say is "I threw the food in the tank last night and when I came in this morning, it was gone".
That does NOT mean the fish ate it-one needs to Watch each fish to make sure they are eating !!!
Very rarely do I get a wild caught fish in, that actually knows how to eat anything but brine shrimp.
And that is not a decent diet.

Also, I feed my corals a "human seafood" mix that I chop in a blender.
I sincerely doubt that any except the Responsible dealers feed corals or Frogfish -lionfish etc.
Sure know the 16 yr old "help" type stores don't.