woahwoah12
Member
I got a new harlequin file today. I already know it is a big challenge. I already have an acropora coral, which it is eating already. It nibbled at frozen krill. So what else does it need to survive?
Harlequin File
- Thread starter woahwoah12
- Start date
btldreef
Moderator
Quote:
Originally Posted by WoahWoah12 http:///t/394563/harlequin-file#post_3511834
I got a new harlequin file today. I already know it is a big challenge. I already have an acropora coral, which it is eating already. It nibbled at frozen krill. So what else does it need to survive?
One acropora isn't going to keep this thing alive, they can decimate a small frag in a few days. I've successfully kept them, and I've lost some as well. Can you post a picture of this fish? Most are not healthy from the start.
You should start reading up on these guys and the weaning process IMMEDIATELY. If it's in your main tank, it's going to be even harder to keep it alive.
Originally Posted by WoahWoah12 http:///t/394563/harlequin-file#post_3511834
I got a new harlequin file today. I already know it is a big challenge. I already have an acropora coral, which it is eating already. It nibbled at frozen krill. So what else does it need to survive?
One acropora isn't going to keep this thing alive, they can decimate a small frag in a few days. I've successfully kept them, and I've lost some as well. Can you post a picture of this fish? Most are not healthy from the start.
You should start reading up on these guys and the weaning process IMMEDIATELY. If it's in your main tank, it's going to be even harder to keep it alive.
woahwoah12
Member
Do you think I should get a tank for its self?
woahwoah12
Member
woahwoah12
Member
I have a 10 gallon that I'm not using at the moment
woahwoah12
Member
Can anyone please help?
woahwoah12
Member
Bump
btldreef
Moderator
You're not going to get many answers, as very few people have kept these fish successfully. I believe that on this site it's only Saxman and Cranberry (husband and wife) and me.
The 10g might be a better option to help weaning. Did you read all the links are articles posted in those links? These are NOT easy fish
The 10g might be a better option to help weaning. Did you read all the links are articles posted in those links? These are NOT easy fish
woahwoah12
Member
Yes
S
saxman
Guest
Matt has done a great job with this fish, however, I've found that if you don't approach keeping them HIS way, well, you can imagine how some folks are.
FWIW, we started our fish on browned-out acros (we had a good source for them on the cheap) just to get something into the fish. To get them eating prepared foods, is the key, and the hard part.
We took several pieces of dead coral skeleton and smeared different foods into them, placed them in the fridge briefly to let it "set" a bit, then placed whatever we decided to try into the tank with the OSFF. THEN, so as not to disturb the fish, Renee would hide under the blankets and peek out to see if there was any interest (their QT/weaning tank was in our bedroom at the time). Each "peck" was a small victory.
Once you find foods the fish will accept, the next step is getting them to eat from the water column. Once you get some weight on them, they're pretty darned hardy, altho if they go off their feed, a water change generally remedies this.
Many peeps have good luck with various roe and/or Nutramar Ova, but neither of our fish care for it. The tiny NLS pellets are a good food, as is shaved salmon flesh, mysis, and BS+. The more types of food you feed out, the better IMHO. The also enjoy hunting live pods (we keep live macro in the tank so they will breed). This fish requires lots of food, so multiple feedings are best.
Weaning this species "from scratch" isn't easy, in fact, I've never seen Renee work so hard at it.
HTH some.
FWIW, we started our fish on browned-out acros (we had a good source for them on the cheap) just to get something into the fish. To get them eating prepared foods, is the key, and the hard part.
We took several pieces of dead coral skeleton and smeared different foods into them, placed them in the fridge briefly to let it "set" a bit, then placed whatever we decided to try into the tank with the OSFF. THEN, so as not to disturb the fish, Renee would hide under the blankets and peek out to see if there was any interest (their QT/weaning tank was in our bedroom at the time). Each "peck" was a small victory.
Once you find foods the fish will accept, the next step is getting them to eat from the water column. Once you get some weight on them, they're pretty darned hardy, altho if they go off their feed, a water change generally remedies this.
Many peeps have good luck with various roe and/or Nutramar Ova, but neither of our fish care for it. The tiny NLS pellets are a good food, as is shaved salmon flesh, mysis, and BS+. The more types of food you feed out, the better IMHO. The also enjoy hunting live pods (we keep live macro in the tank so they will breed). This fish requires lots of food, so multiple feedings are best.
Weaning this species "from scratch" isn't easy, in fact, I've never seen Renee work so hard at it.
HTH some.
mr. limpid
Active Member
I've seen a LFS guy feed this fish the Spectrum finicky fish formula and it gobbled it up, worth a try. By the way beautifully fish. Good Luck
S
saxman
Guest
The fish doesn't look horribly pinched in the belly, but it has lost some of its dorsal musculature. That said, once eating it will fatten up, but it takes awhile to show progress with ths fish.
btldreef
Moderator
Quote:
Originally Posted by saxman http:///t/394563/harlequin-file#post_3512099
Matt has done a great job with this fish, however, I've found that if you don't approach keeping them HIS way, well, you can imagine how some folks are.
I couldn't agree more! He wrote a great article to start with, but approaching him is a whole different story. I actually had quite an argument with him.
Originally Posted by saxman http:///t/394563/harlequin-file#post_3512099
Matt has done a great job with this fish, however, I've found that if you don't approach keeping them HIS way, well, you can imagine how some folks are.
I couldn't agree more! He wrote a great article to start with, but approaching him is a whole different story. I actually had quite an argument with him.
foxface61299
Member
I think they are very pretty! such a beautiful specimen..