Buy a "mated" pair or 2 small singles and let them pair up?

PaintGuru · 03-03-2003, 02:46 PM

So I want to order 2 true percs online. One option is to buy a "mated" pair for $60. Another is to buy 2-"small" percs for $12 each. I am not going into this to necessarily breed them, just so I can have a nice pair that enjoy each others company. Is the extra $38 worth it to have a "mated" pair instead of waiting for 2 small ones to find true love?

Other options would be apprecaited as well.

ShirleyM · 03-03-2003, 03:42 PM

I personally would choose the two young ones, and let them decide who gets to be the guy and who gets to be the girl. We got ours as young percs 3 or 4 yrs ago this summer, and they have been spawning since last Thanksgiving. They were also only $12 each.

JennM · 03-03-2003, 04:22 PM

I bought 2 juv. tomato clowns 3 years ago, they are a pair. I can't say whether or not they have spawned - but they do the fanning and wiggling behaviors and have for a very long time now.

IMO save the $38.

Jenn

ScoobityDoobity · 03-03-2003, 07:35 PM

Who are you ordering from? I haven't got any fish yet and was scared to order through the internet, didn't want them to be dead when they got here! I also agree to buy them when they are young too. I have READ just to let them pair up on their own. SAVE THAT MOOLA!

PaintGuru · 03-03-2003, 07:54 PM

Honestly, I am still debating who to order from. I am between Seacrop (captive caught is a +), FFexpress (I've heard good things), and MarineDepotLive (best selection/price). Yeah I was worried about the dead thing too, but most have 5 day guarantees and will do everything they can to help (or face the wrath of my message board postings). My main reason for ordering is because there are a few fish that I have not seen very often at LFS that I want (pinktail trigger for one), and just to try it out and see how it goes. I'll let you know how it goes once I get around to ACTAULLY ordering

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JennM · 03-03-2003, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ScoobityDoobity
Who are you ordering from? I haven't got any fish yet and was scared to order through the internet, didn't want them to be dead when they got here! I also agree to buy them when they are young too. I have READ just to let them pair up on their own. SAVE THAT MOOLA!

You've got lots of LFS in your back yard -- good ones too

Check out club sponsors and save that moola.

Jenn

ShirleyM · 03-03-2003, 08:16 PM

Do you have a reputable LFS where you could view them and pick out two to bring home?

kestrel · 03-04-2003, 08:56 AM

Just to bring up another issue for those reading this thread...

If you are thinking about ordering small fish and pairing them, make sure that you know the species that you are ordering are hermaphrodites (sp?). That is, sex develops based on surroundings and other fish present. As long as you get two fish that are immature (i.e., no sex, yet), then they can develop into a mated pair.

However some clowns, maroon clowns in particular, are thought to be born either male or female and not change sex. That makes it a lot harder to get a mated pair. Based on personal experience, two small maroon clowns will fight (probably to the death) if not paired correctly. (I separated mine before it got there, but it was not pretty.)

Bottom line, make sure you do your research and know what you are doing, like so many other things in this hobby (obsession) of ours.

$0.02 worth
HTH
Daryl

MyReef · 03-04-2003, 10:41 PM

I have a mated pair of saddle backs that I bought when they were juveniles....the are not mature yet, but they are definitely "together". I am hoping they spawn one day even though I have no intentions of trying to raise the fry. Here is a picture of them in their blue carpet.....This pic is about a year old..

PaintGuru · 03-05-2003, 07:02 AM

Holy crap that is a cool amenome! I just have a boring bubble tip

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MyReef · 03-05-2003, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by PaintGuru
Holy crap that is a cool amenome! I just have a boring bubble tip .

Thanks I love this anemone...here is a more recent pic...I took it in February.

PaintGuru · 03-05-2003, 11:43 AM

Is that just a blue carpet? Must have cost $$$$$. I am placing an order at FFE and see they have green carpets. Are they difficult to keep? I could sware I remember reading somewhere they are no-no's.

MyReef · 03-05-2003, 12:02 PM

I bought this one at the LFS and it cost me $70 on sale...it was normally $99. I think the S. Hidonni are easier than the larger carpets.....if you have good water quality, intense lighting, and are willing to feed it....(they are voracious eaters) other than one of the blue tangs in the first picture, then they can do well. You also need good water flow in the tank and around the anemone. It has done surprisingly well....I love anemones, but was always afraid to try one...and after much research and reading, I found this one....I wouldn't sell it or trade it for anything!

PaintGuru · 03-05-2003, 12:15 PM

Like I said I do have a bubble tip amenome who is doing very well. I would call my water circulation "moderate". It is quite an open 180G tank, and in the future (next few months) I plan on getting one of those Tunze mega powerheads that shoots like 2200GPH. FFE has the green one for $36, $45, and $55, and I am trying to hit $250 for free shipping so basically I pay for an animal or pay for the shipping. I figure why not. Would you suggest getting as big of one as possible? Or does size probably play no relivance to survival. I'm always willing to feed, and my lighting is SPS capable so I cant see the SPS having problems. Hopefully it doesnt eat my other fish though

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