Valenciennea Wardii

[Brackishdude]

I need nerites and AZG (third link) is the only place other than ebay I've found them, but I need to order more to meet the minimum. This little goby caught my eye., and it's being sold as a FW/brackish.

http/filaman.ifm-geomar.de/Summary/Speci...ry.php?id=12615


http/www.saltwaterfish.com/site_11_03/pr...oot_parent_id=4


http/www.azgardens.com/misc_fish.php

Any experience? pretty big size diff in those links.

 

[dizzied]

Valenciennea wardii are saltwater, not fresh or brack.

I can't believe AZ Gardens is still selling those as freshwater.

 

[nmonks]

I'd want to see the gobies they're selling before being too judgemental. It's entirely possible they're selling a real freshwater goby as Valenciennea wardii. Identifying gobies is extremely difficult. Even bumblebee gobies are routinely and universally misidentified in the trade.

But that said, many marine fish will live in freshwater conditions for long periods, but not indefinitely. Eventually they sicken and die. At the least, they would probably need 50% seawater conditions to do well. That's certainly the case with most other marine-in-brackish water fish, such as Arothron hispidus.

Cheers, Neale

 

[dizzied]

I doubt it since they're linking to it's saltwater profile, and it wouldn't be the first silly thing AZ Gardens has done.

 

[nmonks]

Fair enough. I've seen numerous marine fish sold as freshwater fish. Damselfish, pufferfish, gobies, etc. The idea that there is some solid division between freshwater fish and marine fish is bogus. But simply because this goby tolerates freshwater for X number of weeks or months doesn't mean it'll live there forever.

Hit Fishbase, identify the fish are securely as you can, and if you're sure its Valenciennea wardii, then gradually acclimate to marine (or at least high-end brackish) conditions over a few hours.

Cheers, Neale

I doubt it since they're linking to it's saltwater profile, and it wouldn't be the first silly thing AZ Gardens has done.

 

[pica_nuttalli]

I've wondered about this one before... AZG also has this to say about the fish: A 1-1.5% addition of salt is recommended for best results of this fish. Add up to 7.5 - 11 tsp. of salt for every 10 gallons (10-15 g/10 L). A peaceful, quiet fish that can be kept in a fresh or a brackish water tank with small to medium sized fish. Keep it in larger groups/schools as this disperses aggression.

Comments, Neale?

Fair enough. I've seen numerous marine fish sold as freshwater fish. Damselfish, pufferfish, gobies, etc. The idea that there is some solid division between freshwater fish and marine fish is bogus. But simply because this goby tolerates freshwater for X number of weeks or months doesn't mean it'll live there forever.

Hit Fishbase, identify the fish are securely as you can, and if you're sure its Valenciennea wardii, then gradually acclimate to marine (or at least high-end brackish) conditions over a few hours.

Cheers, Neale

I doubt it since they're linking to it's saltwater profile, and it wouldn't be the first silly thing AZ Gardens has done.

 

[nmonks]

Well, a 1-1.5 percent salt solution is 10-15 parts-per-thousand, or 10-15 grams per litre. At 25 degrees C that's about SG 1.006 to 1.010. So what they're basically saying is that this fish needs up to half-strength seawater. By my reckoning, any fish that needs that much salt clearly isn't a "freshwater fish" by any reasonable standard.

I'm not otherwise familiar with this species, but I don't really see how they can legitimately sell it as a freshwater fish. It may well do fine in a mid to high salinity brackish water tank. Certainly wouldn't be the first marine fish to adjust safely to such conditions. I'll try and find out more.

Cheers, Neale

I've wondered about this one before... AZG also has this to say about the fish: A 1-1.5% addition of salt is recommended for best results of this fish. Add up to 7.5 - 11 tsp. of salt for every 10 gallons (10-15 g/10 L). A peaceful, quiet fish that can be kept in a fresh or a brackish water tank with small to medium sized fish. Keep it in larger groups/schools as this disperses aggression.
Comments, Neale?

 

[Brackishdude]

Thanks guys. I keep my tank at about 1.006, but I've a feeling these guys are not tolerant of such low end salinity for the duration.