Am I screwed? Salinity difference of .04

[PMUnprotected]

Acclimating my Midas blenny #2...

Supplier stated they ship at 1.025. I set my QT at 1.024 to be safe.

I receive fish today, float for 20 mins, open bag, see fish moving, bag temp feels good. I stick hand in and grab fish to quickly move into QT. Fish swims to corner of tank.

I check the shipping water... It's at 1.020

Is my fish screwed? I'm going to be upset if I lose another one.

Fingers crossed...

[mallorieGgator]

slow drip him

It's already in the tank....lol.

I'm not sure what you could do. Moving it and dripping it will only stress it further. I would just leave it at this point and see how things go. If it dies, I would call the shipper and tell them they ill-informed you on the salinity of the water.

[sneeyatch]

Tough call. Some fish can get through it, but others don't fare so well. Depending on the size of the QT, you could always do a quick water change with fresh water only to lower the salinity, then start to bring it up slowly over a few days. It would be like a mini-hypo treatment only easier. They can take the quick drop.

[PMUnprotected]

Thanks for the quick responses. It's a 10g QT. I tool out some water and put in fresh bringing the salinity down to 1.023. It happened within 30 mins of him being in the water.

Hopefully it will work out. I guess this is where the stress of this hobby comes in, huh.

[sneeyatch]

Yeah - good luck. It's a blenny and they're tough little guys. I'm sure it will work out for you.

A few years ago I bout a Kole tang, brought it home, floated it and before I started dripping it, I decided for the hell of it I would check the salinity in the bag. It was 1.018. My 2 hr acclimation time went to over 12 hrs just to be safe. It was fine afterward.

[srusso]

Leave things a lone now, any adjustments made to his water now will only make things harder for him.

[PMUnprotected]

Okay cool. I was sooo paranoid about the ammonia poisoning that I just wanted to get him into new water.

Lights in the room are off and Everything else with the tank should be good.

Tomorrow, we shall see how he eats.

[sneeyatch]

Don't be too upset if it doesn't eat for a couple of days. Sometimes they get stressed out and go through a hunger strike for a little bit. Just toss a little bit of food in there of different types throughout the first few days and see if it takes a liking to anything in particular.

[bluebill]

also a midas blenny much like a fang blenny will "play dead" and change color too, expecially in the evening. When it sleeps it will change color(white and spotty), this is normal for this fish and I thought mine was dead just after adding him too. He was just laying vertical on the silicon in the corner of my tank. It should be fine.

[PMUnprotected]

I've got some frozen mysis shrimp. Last time I put a drop of garlic and the fish enjoyed it, however that stuff seems potent.

You think I should slowly implement the garlic once he starts taking the frozen food?

It's funny how they love to lay on
The silicone. It's almost like the PVC elbows aren't good enough hahah. I'm guessing the silicone could feel like a substrate... Who knows!

[Sk8r]

Do not change this fish any more. Right now his system is trying to adjust. You might do as I think you have done, but stop halfway: that way his system and the tank can meet in the middle, at 1.022.
And I'd call the shipper and raise cain, if they told you one thing and delivered something else. I'd have it on record so if you lose this fish you've got a claim.

The good news is that blennies are tough little beggars and he may tough it through. Do not change that salinity any more than you've done.

[Sk8r]

Silicone could feel nicer, I suppose. But---good luck to your little guy. Don't push it with the food: feed only after he starts investigating and swimming. He'll probably take anything small: blenny mouths aren't that big.

[PMUnprotected]

I contacted the supplier. Who I ever I talked to the other day confused the other shipping location!

The ppl on the phone said the fish should do okay. They say they primarily worry about the ph, then again... Is a receptionist an actual hobbyist? Hmmm...

I'll keep this fish where he's at. I hope it works out bc I'm excited to have a Midas blenny! Hence the reason I purchased another one ;-)

[blackx-runner]

What are you checking the salinity with? That itself could be causing the difference you are seeing. Its really hard to tell.
Good luck with the fish. I am sure he will be just fine. But next time double check and slow drip the new additions.

[PMUnprotected]

What are you checking the salinity with? That itself could be causing the difference you are seeing. Its really hard to tell.
Good luck with the fish. I am sure he will be just fine. But next time double check and slow drip the new additions.

Thanks! I am using a refractometer, calibrated as of last week.

Yes, lesson learned. Will double check prior to dumping the fish in.

[jherrin215]

not trying to beat you down but did you calibrate it with calibration solution or with RO/DI water?? I just got a refractometer and calibrated it with RO then when I got my solution what should have been 1.026 was 1.030. Not good at all!

[PMUnprotected]

not trying to beat you down but did you calibrate it with calibration solution or with RO/DI water?? I just got a refractometer and calibrated it with RO then when I got my solution what should have been 1.026 was 1.030. Not good at all!

I only calibrated it with the solution.