Dr. Reef's Quarantined Chromis?

[dangles]

I'm *considering* getting a group of blue/green chromis for my tank. I understand there's a higher-than-average risk for uronema with them. Does anybody have personal experience with Dr. Reef's quarantined chromis? There's a disclaimer that despite their quarantine process, "sometimes" they show signs of uronema from shipping stress. I understand the process isn't 100% effective, but I'm curious how common it is with his quarantined chromis vs other sources. Are there any other reputable sources of quarantined chromis? Or even captive bred (I don't think I've heard of this yet)?

If it comes down to "rolling the dice" with LFS I'll just pass

*edit*

I'm asking about experiences with Dr. Reef's chromis specifically. I already know he has a really good reputation in general.

 

[feelingfishy]

I wouldn’t hesitate to buy from Drreef. He has the best replacement policy I’ve ever seen. Plus, a lot of the time with fish like Chromis and Anthias, if you buy a small group he will throw in some extra.

I have never purchased a Chromis from him but I did buy 4 Lyretail and he gave me 6. There are still 5 remaining and all look to be in perfect health. Most of my fish have come from him and I’ve never seen ich or velvet which was my main concern.

Goodluck!

 

[jmcdona6]

Look up what Elliot at Marine Collectors does to quarantine uronema prone fish. He too mentions that the effectiveness is debatable but feels good about his method. However, he uses very harsh medications that he won't even let his staff use for safety/liability reasons.

I would consider this, do you want other prone fish? Do you have have or want Anthias? The problem with uronema is that once introduced it NEVER goes away. There is no treatment other than total breakdown of the display and restart. I would consider your end game stocking plan and consider whether the risk of introducing uronema through Chromis is worth it in totality.

 

[dangles]

I wouldn’t hesitate to buy from Drreef. He has the best replacement policy I’ve ever seen. Plus, a lot of time with fish like Chromis and Anthias, if you buy a small group he will throw in some extra.

I have never purchased a Chromis from him but I did buy 4 Lyretail and he gave me 6. There are still 5 remaining and all look to be in perfect health. Most of my fish have come from him and I’ve never seen ich or velvet which was my main concern.

Goodluck!

Yeah I've heard lots of good reports about his products in general. I know chromis are notorious for uronema though (hence his disclaimer with those specifically). My tank is completely clean of fish parasites (verified by AquaBiomics) and I REALLY want to keep it that way!

 

[dangles]

Look up what Elliot at Marine Collectors does to quarantine uronema prone fish. He too mentions that the effectiveness is debatable but feels good about his method. However, he uses very harsh medications that he won't even let his staff use for safety/liability reasons.

I would consider this, do you want other prone fish? Do you have have or want Anthias? The problem with uronema is that once introduced it NEVER goes away. There is no treatment other than total breakdown of the display and restart. I would consider your end game stocking plan and consider whether the risk of introducing uronema through Chromis is worth it in totality.

Exactly. I would only consider pre-quarantined chromis (if I even decide to risk that). I just don't have the space/time to quarantine on my own unfortunately.

 

[jmcdona6]

Exactly. I would only consider pre-quarantined chromis (if I even decide to risk that). I just don't have the space/time to quarantine on my own unfortunately.

I actually have a large open order with Dr. Reef right now (Non-Chromis), so definitely not warding against the guy. However, his disclaimer doesn't really make sense - IF - he is doing what is necessary to ensure uronema is actually 99% eliminated. From what I can tell he is doing some things that in combination with observation that should significantly reduce incidents. But nothing on his website tells me he is taking the steps to fully eliminate. There is nothing wrong with that, he does add the disclaimer and the methods he would have to use to even consider removing it are dangerous, costly and time consuming. Probably would end up being a $30-50 Chromis by the end of it.

"Note: We do our best but sometimes this species show signs of internal uronema after shipping stress."

 

[dangles]

I actually have a large open order with Dr. Reef right now (Non-Chromis), so definitely not warding against the guy. However, his disclaimer doesn't really make sense - IF - he is doing what is necessary to ensure uronema is actually 99% eliminated. From what I can tell he is doing some things that in combination with observation that should significantly reduce incidents. But nothing on his website tells me he is taking the steps to fully eliminate. There is nothing wrong with that, he does add the disclaimer and the methods he would have to use to even consider removing it are dangerous, costly and time consuming. Probably would end up being a $30-50 Chromis by the end of it.

"Note: We do our best but sometimes this species show signs of internal uronema after shipping stress."

Yes I saw that. And it's totally an understandable stance to take as a retailer. I was just curious if anybody had any firsthand experience with the chromis from him.

 

[Reefing4L]

dr reef hs quality fish. All the fish I've gotten from him have been healthy and the ones that did not make it thru shipping have been promptly replaced/refunded

 

[Dorking It]

I have an order that will shipping from him on Wednesday. No chromis but some Anthias. I'll let you know how they look

 

[jmcdona6]

Yes I saw that. And it's totally an understandable stance to take as a retailer. I was just curious if anybody had any firsthand experience with the chromis from him.

I guess my point is, prior or firsthand experience doesn't matter here if you are serious about prevention. Its either done right every time or you have to assume it is not done at all. Don't talk yourself out of good sense. I've done it a million times and its often has come back to bite me.

Dr. Reef is very transparent about his process and his disclaimer signals he is not confident in it for eliminating uronema. The right safe answer is you shouldn't be confident if he isn't. Doesn't matter how many people comment they had a good experience. It would be no different than trusting those folks that claim they have never gotten Ich from plopping and praying fish from the LFS.

 

[feelingfishy]

I guess my point is, prior or firsthand experience doesn't matter here if you are serious about prevention. Its either done right every time or you have to assume it is not done at all. Don't talk yourself out of good sense. I've done it a million times and its often has come back to bite me.

Dr. Reef is very transparent about his process and his disclaimer signals he is not confident in it for eliminating uronema. The right safe answer is you shouldn't be confident if he isn't. Doesn't matter how many people comment they had a good experience. It would be no different than trusting those folks that claim they have never gotten Ich from plopping and praying fish from the LFS.

This is good advice. I’m sure you have heard of these other qt venders and there is no doubt in my mind that Drreef is the “VALUE” vendor. You do get what you pay for in most cases.

 

[jmcdona6]

This is good advice. I’m sure you have heard of these other qt venders and there is no doubt in my mind that Drreef is the “VALUE” vendor. You do get what you pay for in most cases.

I look at it like this. I don't even consider the majority of pre-QT fish as guaranteed disease free. Same with captive bred/drop ship from "biosecure" facilities. Too much to go wrong. Too many fish. No way they can do it the full right way every time without charging $$$ (i.e. Marine Collectors).

However, places like Dr. Reef have at least held onto the fish for a while and put in considerable effort into delivering healthy fish. This is more than most LFS or online retailers who peddle fish to customers knowing they are unhealthy, stressed and/or bio compromised. Who even take actions (low salinity, low copper) to temporarily control (hide) symptoms so fish live long enough to make across the cash register. Sounds harsh when I say it...but not sure there is a gentler way of putting it.

Many would consider "value" a derogatory statement in this context. I look at it as a vendor who puts an appropriate amount of effort providing healthy fish to customers and charges a reasonable cost for being a responsible retailer. There are puppy mills charging $200/puppy, reputable breeders charging $1000/puppy and high end breeders charging $10000/puppy. Dr. Reefs is option #2 and should be the bare minimum if we are being serious about looking after the best interest of our pets.

 

[feelingfishy]

Yes, honestly it was a bit derogatory, notwithstanding I still have a lot of respect for him

 

[UMALUM]

The trick to having healthy chromis that aren’t gonna chase each other to death and develop uronema is to order adults that have been quarantined/housed in groups. Nothing against Dr Reef as that's where I purchased my group of springeri and everything was perfect. Dude even sent a couple extra.



If your looking for real deal healthy chromis give Alexander at Reef Exclusive a call. He knows what he's doing and has clean fish. He grouped my 8 together and sent videos while I waited. I also ordered my blonde naso and white tail bristletooth from him. The cromis were almost as big as the bristletooth. One year later and everyone is fine.

 

[GARRIGA]

Isn’t uronema present in all tanks or easily introduced therefore even if chromis are not showing signs and apparently passed QT that doesn’t guarantee it won’t show itself should they get stressed at some point in the future which could be as early as going through shipping and acclimation along with settling into new digs?

 

[dangles]

Isn’t uronema present in all tanks or easily introduced therefore even if chromis are not showing signs and apparently passed QT that doesn’t guarantee it won’t show itself should they get stressed at some point in the future which could be as early as going through shipping and acclimation along with settling into new digs?

Not necessarily in all tanks. Mine is clean, verified by AquaBiomics

 

[jmcdona6]

Isn’t uronema present in all tanks or easily introduced therefore even if chromis are not showing signs and apparently passed QT that doesn’t guarantee it won’t show itself should they get stressed at some point in the future which could be as early as going through shipping and acclimation along with settling into new digs?

I don't think it's a given but all the research I've seen would suggest it's hard to keep out over time. Fish you can treat, but it can come in on coral/inverts, can't be treated, and can't be fallowed out in QT like ich and velvet.

The argument for treatment even if it's inevitable is that most fatalities are uronema in combination with shipment stress/injury. A fish that is disease free and allowed to acclimate to an aquarium environment before shipment to the customer is more likely to overcome uronema even if it's present in the display already.

 

[Dr. Reef]

Only tip we can provide whether someone buys from us or not, Chromis from any other regions will almost likley have uronema except from Africa. Thats the only one's, we sell now and have had no reports of uronema, but they are normally 2-3".(large size)

 

[cdnco2004]

I would not say its present in *MOST* tanks but it is in a lot. That said you can rid your tank of Urenoma. There are a number of treatments now that can do it even in reef tanks. I have had success in treating both Chromis Athinas with active Urenoma that had developed the ulcers.

 

[UMALUM]

Only tip we can provide whether someone buys from us or not, Chromis from any other regions will almost likley have uronema except from Africa. Thats the only one's, we sell now and have had no reports of uronema, but they are normally 2-3".(large size)

Well I guess I need to edit my post then. Glad to see your selling the adult specimens.