Anyone who is either a hobbyist forum or club member has surely heard the numerous accounts of newly purchased fish being brought home only to die within a matter of days or infect an entire show aquarium with any number of possible pathogens. All of which can be linked directly to how the fish were handled and the stress' they were subjected to. Since the exporters are the first link in the chain, their efforts will of course determine the stamina the fish have to endure their travels. From my observations at Peter's facility, that critical first link has been taken care of.
Sadly, all the efforts of any one link can be for naught if the fish arrive at a store only to be unpacked and unceremoniously dumped into a display tank and put up for immediate sale. When visiting a shop with the intent to purchase a new pet, I would ask that you inquire as to the shop's stress reduction procedures for newly arrived livestock and how they control pathogens. If none exists, I would be very leery in purchasing a pet that has not been given the chance to recuperate and ensured to be pathogen free as any fish subjected to stress will be much more easily infected / infested. This will not negate your responsibility to do the same for a newly purchased fish as well. As hobbyists, we should also do all that we can to provide the proper habitat for each species that you keep and ensure that all newly acquired pets are quarantined with stress reduction being at the forefront of your efforts. There are many good articles available online detailing handling and quarantine procedures. If you are not familiar with such procedures, I believe you owe it to your new pet to become so. From what I have observed, the fish do get off to a good start, please do your best to ensure that they have a happy end to their journey as well.
Chuck Raabe
