PoggiPJ

I doubt that I have the nerve to do that, but would be interested in seeing the video.

Ok thanks. Then I guess I'll just have to sneak up on it when it isn't looking and scare it.

I'm guessing that this is one of those areas where there are alot of possible answers, but nothing definitive. I have two RBTAs that are getting pretty large - roughly 10" in diameter. Do they split when they attain a certain size? Is it a water condition thing? Do I need to dim the lights and show them a movie?

Well, I visited Fins & Feathers today.. I have to say, the fish were clean. I purchased a powder blue, two false percs, and a potters angel. Acclimated them over 2 hours and they're doing fine. I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

Oh, 4PM is too late for me to be in VA - we're due at a Halloween party back in Germantown Sat night and that's about an hour ride one way.

"not if you have 120,000 + microwatts sterilizing the water that return to the tanks. " How does a sterilizer kill parasites? I was under the impression that they only killed bacteria.

Just where and what time. What do I mean by "throwing good money after bad"... i think most members here can relate to 1, the freaking magnitude of $$$ that we invest over time into this hobby for equipment and livestock. and 2, despite all that money spent for vitamins, medications, pumps, backup systems, and backup to backup systems, and quarantining, and nurturing, something is BOUND to happen that negates all of that time, care, and expense. It seems like all I have to do is get at least halfway to wherever I'm going on vacation and somehow, someway, something goes wrong. OK that's enough whining. I will definitely try the VA stores. I keep hearing good things about "Fins & Feathers" and "Blue Ribbon Koi" livestock. I also heard of a Fins & Feathers in Germantown MD and was wondering if they were affiliated. Help me understand something - Even if a particular fish or group of fish are captive bred, once they are placed into a tank that shares the same plumbing system aren't they going to acquire the same parasites that are in that system?

I might do that, especially if the weather isn't nice. I've never been to one. Can you give me some particulars? I'm tethering on giving up on this hobby for good and stop throwing good money after bad. It would be refreshing to see healthy fish.

Yes. I am. Can you recommend a place?

I've been to three stores this weekend. I can't find a place that has disease free livestock. Do any of the stores in the area quarantine / medicate their stock?

Never mind - I read the links provided by Jan and answered my own question. The answer is "No". The parasites are not always present, unless we add something - anything new that could possibly have even one of these parasites hitch-hiking.

Thank you all for the helpful advice. Let me explain again why I am not saying the name of the store. I visited the same LFS again today to pick up some dry goods. While there, my wife and I examined the fins and body of every fish in every tank specifically looking for some evidence of disease. We couldn't find one lousy white spot on any individual fish. I don't want to start a panic, and that's why I asked the question the way I did. I do know that I increased the salinity within a day of adding that powder blue tang, and based upon what I'm reading here, and what I found at the LFS, it's really looking like the finger is pointing in my direction. I probably stressed that poor pbt to the point that it became vulnerable to whatever parasites were present and waiting for a weakened host - and then it spread to the clowns. Question: Is it safe to assume that some parasites (while possibly dormant) are always present even after 6-8 weeks of no fish in the tank?

By the way, I've already received a few PMs about which store it is... Please forgive me but the reason I'm not mentioning the name is that I really cannot be certain that it was their problem. A rumor like that can cause alot of financial harm and quite possibly it may be unjustified. If I was positive, I would have no problem saying it. Anyway, in the interest of being responsible, that's why I'm approaching the problem by asking who has purchased fish from a LFS and NOT had a problem.

Yes, I do, and several shrimp so can't do that. Unless they taste really good

Now that I've had them in my DT, I guess I need to wait another 6 weeks before adding any fish again - or should it be longer?