i just bought 4 SAE's from NA.Just to solve some bread algae problem. But in 2 days 3 died. just wondering are they really that fragile?

u just dump them in without comparing the water from lfs n yr water? They are kind of sensitive with the PH and KH.

Hi Hans,

Bread algae? Do you have pictures?

SAE's are quite tough but they still need some conditioning. pouring in tank water into bag helps for short distance [1-3 hours], dripping method[over a period of 1 hour] for longer time fish spent in bag is recommended. Though in very stinky arrivals[smells bad when you open bag], immediate scooping into quarantine tank is recommended after temperature is equalized.
This is because increased ammonia and CO2 in water in bag happens when the fish has travelled round the globe. pH is low because of increased CO2.
When you open bag, CO2 escapes and pH increases rapidly making ammonia more toxic in high pH.

Regards

Stan

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So many aquascapes, so little time...http://www.my-mac.net/forum/

i put the bag into the water for about half hour. then open the bag so that the water in the tank can mix with the water in the bag. after some time, they swim out of the bag on their own. at the first day, all are actively eating algae, then one by one start to become quite and then wat i saw is just a pale body (dead). i guess the temp (28~29C) is the problem.

You have to add tank water a bit at a time over a period. But before adding tank water, should scoop some LFS water out of the bag first.

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The nose runs and the feet smell - go figure
Steven

I think SAE's are not as fragile as otos, so what you've done seems ok already but perhaps they were weak stock.

Mine usually die free as base jumpers so i can't really comment on SAE's being fragile.

Regards


Stan

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So many aquascapes, so little time...http://www.my-mac.net/forum/

i also bought 2 oto's. one died, but the other1 is happy enough. have to restock on these algae eaters soon. sigh...

I couldn't kill my SAEs if I tried.. the only way mine dies is by jumping out of water. Yours could just be weak from the LFS.. and you should be applying the usualy fishkeeper's routine of floating bags before releasing them.

you are rite. but i guess it is supposed to be ok ma.

Most of the time ok la, I don't even float for long enough normally. But if unlucky.. get weak stock like standoyo said, next day can make fishballs or in my case... terrapin food .