right out of the sea

[miked78231]

so what exactly is the process in removing creatures from the sea and placing them into your tank?

[don-n-sa]

it depends...who is doing the removing?

[cpreefguy]

also depends on which wholesaler LFS's go through
try googleing "saltwater fish collection" or similar

[Reef69]

LMAO!

1.-Dive in the ocean
2.-See desired coral or fish
3.-Remove coral off rock/net fish
4.-Ship to wholesaler
5.-Ship to LFS
6.-Buy it from LFS
7.-Throw in your tank

[miked78231]

theres no cleaning process?

[don-n-sa]

cleaning what?

[miked78231]

well if i were to get some rock or a random fish would i have to put it through some kind of QT to make sure im not introducing anything neg. to my tank or can i just grab him straight from the ocean and stick him in the tank like 2 hours later.

[cpreefguy]

I dont understand what youre asking???
If you go down to Port A and catch a fish, I would definatly QT it before jeprodizing your livestock

[Reef69]

Cleaning process??? LOL.. Yeah, after the fijiean guy gets the fish out of the water, he throws it in a special washing machine that takes off all the parasites and stuff you dont want..then it is shipped first class so it wont get any bad stuff or gets stressed on the way over..there the fish gets a massage and a couple of martinis before landing..Then, when the wholesaler gets him, he goes through a physical to see if everything is working right..he gets a couple of shots..you know, for ich and what not..then flys again first class to the fish store when we go and buy them, sign a "100% guarranted to stay alive forever and free of parasites" boucher..buy the fish, and take him home happily....LOL

NO, there is no cleaning process...

[don-n-sa]

LOL... :lol

[Reef69]

That whole "QT fish" thing is overrated. Ive never QTed fish in my life..and well, ive lost some..but thats not the point!!..LOL..point is, there is no cleaning process..LOL

[miked78231]

lol. whatever guys.

[Reef69]

Some Online coral retailers treat their corals..but other than that..i dont think so.

[cbianco]

Mike

Just out of curiosity, are you planning on going to the sea, find your own animals and take them home?

Christopher

PS: Reef69... if the fish get martinis, why do I get stuck with Mickey's? :lol

[MattK]

Yea, you love that Mickey's.

[GaryP]

To answer your question, one of two means of getting to you occur.

1. The local collectors deliver livestock to a exporter. The collectors may hold the livestock for some period of time. The exporter then holds the livestock until an outgoing shipment is ordered. From the exporter they go to a wholesaler in the US. These are usually in the LA area. Once again, they are held at the wholesaler until an order is placed. From the wholesaler, they are shipped to the LFS. From the LFS they go to your tank. To the best of my knowledge there is no minimum holding time at any one of the shipment steps. It could be weeks or hours depending on demand and orders placed.

2. The second process is called transhipping. Basically the same as above except the lifestocj is shipped directly from the exporter in the Pacific to the LFS with a stop along the way where it is re-bagged and goes through a water change. The re-bagging takes place in LA, however, I recently heard of someone doing it in Dallas. Obviously they spend a longer time in the bag and can be more stressed. One local LFS told me he has gotten a lot less DOA fish this way then through a wholesaler. However, I'm not sure how the long term results turn out once you get the fish home. The chief advantage of this is cost. The wholesaler is cut out.

To answer the rest of your question, the only point at which the livestock is quarantined or treated for parasites is at the LFS step. I know of only one LFS area in this area that does this, CB Pets. Aquarium Sales and Service did as well when they were open. The chief priority in either process seems to be the speed with which livestock get from the ocean to the LFS. In other words, how fast they can get delivered before they die. Obvioulsy there are a lot of advantages to captive bred and tank raised fish from suppliers like ORA. The shipping steps are reduced and the fish are already eating frozen or flake food.

One of you LFS guys jump in here if I made a mistake.

[Reef69]

Chris- At least you are not getting stuck with O.E.. :skeezy