Buying a new fish with a torn tail?

[reefbeginner]

So I bought a new fish last night online and they replied and said the specimen that they had has a chewed tail that is healing.
(and offered a discount)
I said I would take it as long as the 5 day live fish guarantee wasn't voided and it seemed otherwise happy/healthy

I wouldn't want to not take a fish just because he is a little hurt especially if I could help him heal.

Maybe I will learn this lesson the hard way if his torn fin indicates other problems and he dies..

But he should be king daddio in our tank and therefore not picked on.

Did I make a mistake agreeing to take the injured guy home?

He is a Blue Spotted Kole Tang (easily confused with yellow-eye kole tang)
not the most common specimen so I feel much worse passing up an opportuinity. We have a 60 gallon, 4 ft, tons of Live rock, and the next most aggressive tankmates would be maroon clown and flame angelfish

wouldn't his tail maybe grow back ok?

thanks for all your opinions

[Ninong]

I'm just curious about one thing. If you live in L.A., why would you buy fish online? Wouldn't it be cheaper and easier to buy from an LFS in your area, considering that virtually everything is available locally? That way you can inspect the fish before making a decision to buy it.

The caudal fin should grow back, assuming it's not something caused by disease. Ctenochaetus truncatus is a good choice for a smaller tank but 60-gallons is really pushing it.

Good luck!



P.S. -- Maybe you bought it online from a local vendor and then went in person to pick it up???

[reefbeginner]

Heh, well being a noob, I haven't tried all the fish stores. Any recommendations of excellent ones in the are? I have chosen a local favorite and haven't ventured out much since then as it can be dangerous! No room in the tank and no money means no shopping! :-) (so why was I shopping online? I wasn't! I was just looooking....)

Once I upgrade to reef I intend to get all corals in person.

This was kinda on a whim, and I recognize this wasn't the best of the best way to go.

We are getting an adult species, already 4 inches so if she seems uncomfortable or stressed I will find her a new home with more swimming space. I don't mean to keep a big fish in a small tank, but I am set on a tang, and these are nice ones that unfortunately often come as adults.

The happiness of the fish is most important to me, so if she shows signs of being too cooped up or gets stressed for too long, I really won't hesitate to relocate her. I don't have an intention of making this a practice either- I will probably upgrade to a 125 in a few years.

sorry for the windy response and thanks for the answer

[Ninong]

I think I'd better let someone else who lives in L.A. give you advice on which places as best. It's just that everything comes in through L.A., so the availability there is better than anyplace else in the country.

[reefbeginner]

Speak up LA inhabitants! *bump* :-) I am on the border of LA and Inland Empire