I knew biota fish come small
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Had the same issue with a pair of Mandarins from Biota. Each about an inch long. Never saw them again.
areefer01
2500 Club Member
Yes, they can come in small. However nothing unexpected as they have a difficult challenge of balancing production rate and survival through shipping. I can't imaging that being an easy thing to figure out.
I currently have a bunch of fish that I purchased directly from Biota and everyone was small. The Gobies being the smallest. Knowing this I keep whatever food they are eating at Biota on hand if possible and have a staple of go-to food that has worked for me.
It also helps that I feed hourly dry between the hours of 0830 - 1830. Small portions blending TDO x-small, small, PE mysis, and a couple different Hikari. This is done via an auto feeder. I then feed twice a day frozen rotating through LRS nano, fish, and reef. PE Calanus, small brine, mysis, plankton, and prime reef.
Currently in my display via Biota and size estimate:
11 Lyretail damsels - small, but a few larger ones
4 Pink square anthias - small
1 Milletseed Butterflyfish - small
1 Radial filefish - small
1 Matted filefish - small
1 Upside down goby - super small
1 Links goby - super small
1 Gold lined rabbitfish - small
1 Neon blue goby
Via ORA and arrival size estimate:
1 Yellow assessor - small
Personally I love getting them in small as it is a side of the fish we don't typically get to see. Different colors and behavior at least in my experience. You are right in that you may not see it. I did not see the gobies and thought I lost them only to see them a month later puttering around. They do demand a bit more time by the hobbyist to check in on them, make sure they are getting food, and of course flow. Flow can be a big issue for some or at least I that I ran into with the filefish. They had to be removed to my refugium for a month or so before going back to the display. The other fish managed without issue.
TL: DR they will grow and color up pretty fast but a joy to watch.
I currently have a bunch of fish that I purchased directly from Biota and everyone was small. The Gobies being the smallest. Knowing this I keep whatever food they are eating at Biota on hand if possible and have a staple of go-to food that has worked for me.
It also helps that I feed hourly dry between the hours of 0830 - 1830. Small portions blending TDO x-small, small, PE mysis, and a couple different Hikari. This is done via an auto feeder. I then feed twice a day frozen rotating through LRS nano, fish, and reef. PE Calanus, small brine, mysis, plankton, and prime reef.
Currently in my display via Biota and size estimate:
11 Lyretail damsels - small, but a few larger ones
4 Pink square anthias - small
1 Milletseed Butterflyfish - small
1 Radial filefish - small
1 Matted filefish - small
1 Upside down goby - super small
1 Links goby - super small
1 Gold lined rabbitfish - small
1 Neon blue goby
Via ORA and arrival size estimate:
1 Yellow assessor - small
Personally I love getting them in small as it is a side of the fish we don't typically get to see. Different colors and behavior at least in my experience. You are right in that you may not see it. I did not see the gobies and thought I lost them only to see them a month later puttering around. They do demand a bit more time by the hobbyist to check in on them, make sure they are getting food, and of course flow. Flow can be a big issue for some or at least I that I ran into with the filefish. They had to be removed to my refugium for a month or so before going back to the display. The other fish managed without issue.
TL: DR they will grow and color up pretty fast but a joy to watch.
OP
OP
yeah I also received a coral beauty today, it's "small" but not "feed extra where I think it is" small. lol. I honestly am not complaining it was just sort of a shock. all of my fish but 1 were aquacultured so I have made sure to have their recommended foods for new arrivals.
BristleWormHater
Valuable Member
This is exactly why I will not by fish from them. I like what they are doing, it is a good cause. BUT, I really want a mandarin and while I REALLY like the idea of aqua cultured fish, if I put something THAT SMALL in my tank I feel certain it would just become a snack for someone else in my tank.But I was not prepared for how small my Molly miller that arrived today is.
areefer01
2500 Club Member
Sure, valid point. To be perfectly Frank though the onus is on the hobbyist to properly introduce and plan for such an animal. Acclimation box, refugium, or temporary grow out tank. We all have different space requirements so this may not work for all.
I understand that you didn't speak in general terms but rather your own requirement which is a great point. I guess I was just adding in that we, as hobbyist, if purchasing captive bred or raised, need to do our homework and be prepared.
I'm with you in that I think it is a great idea and future of our hobby. Plus it makes me feel good. But I agree in that it may not be for everyone.
The lawnmower blenny I got from them was tiny like that. It's been living in a large pnw custom acclimation box with my coral beauty who grew a taste for corals. He's always got a fully belly but hasn't gotten to the size yet where I want to release it to the DT.
mrpontiac80
2500 Club Member
I had my LFS order a blue/green mandarin for me from ORA. When it came in they called me and I picked it up still in Ora packaging. It was super tiny also but so beautiful and worth it. It is still small but has grown quite a bit really. I’ve had it now for 9 months.
i REALLY, REALLY WANT ONE! i HAVE A VERY ROBUST POD POPULATION. That little guy looks very healthy too.I had my LFS order a blue/green mandarin for me from ORA. When it came in they called me and I picked it up still in Ora packaging. It was super tiny also but so beautiful and worth it. It is still small but has grown quite a bit really. I’ve had it now for 9 months.
Absolutely agree! Yes I just have the one display tank, so I would not want to put anything in there smaller than 1.5" , but as I stated, I do LOVE what Biota is doing. All my corals are aqua cultured. It is a great way to enjoy this wonderful hobby while leaving the ocean be.
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That’s fine but if we ever want aquacultured fish to take off in this hobby, we can’t sell fingernail sized fish at a price premium. It’s just not gonna work for the hobby as a whole.
areefer01
2500 Club Member
What is a price premium? It is all about the path to reliable production, demand, and cooperating broodstock. Obviously they are making improvements but I don't see an issue with the size if one plans accordingly.
It sounds like we have a difference of opinion on the subject which is hopefully fine with you. I hear the concern but just do not see it. I can only speak on my limited experience with the fish I listed earlier.
Hope your day is well.
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Looks like it just hatched from its mother - TINNNEEEEE !!! - but cuteBut I was not prepared for how small my Molly miller that arrived today is.
My maintenance guy ordered 2 Molly millers, one for me. He was quarantining them for a couple weeks before he brought it for my tank. One died pretty quickly, the other was eating well and looked good but died suddenly right before I was going to get it
livinlifeinBKK
5000 Club Member
I fully support captive breeding, both for fish and all corals. An example where collection is particularly destructive is during the collection of Christmas Tree Worms.
However, I fully understand that the companies are likely doing the best they can size wise and I hope (and assume) the price is justified but fish that size are very delicate and Im very hesitant to say that they should be purchased by all hobbyists at the size they are currently sold. Those who can and will care for them should definitely buy caprive bred but if the hobbyists lacks the experience and dedication to offerring extra care necessary probably have better choices at this point.
However, I fully understand that the companies are likely doing the best they can size wise and I hope (and assume) the price is justified but fish that size are very delicate and Im very hesitant to say that they should be purchased by all hobbyists at the size they are currently sold. Those who can and will care for them should definitely buy caprive bred but if the hobbyists lacks the experience and dedication to offerring extra care necessary probably have better choices at this point.
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