Carpenter Flasher wrasses, cyanide, and others

[Anonymous]

Hi to all,

I have a 55 gal corner bow, 20 gal sump 15-20 X turnover rate, 60 lbs of liverock, 4" DSB, and quite a few snails, blue leg hermit crabs, tons of bristle worms, brittle stars and various pods.

I decided on the list of fish to keep before I set up the tank

Here is the list that was decided on:

3 Carpenter Flasher Wrasses (2 female and 1 male)
2 PJ Cardinals
1 Fire Goby
1 Pearlyscale Butterflyfish
1 Longnosed hawkfish

They were to be added in that order, with a minimum of a month quarantine.

Now for my problem.

The Carpenter Flasher Wrasses are hard to find. I have also heard a little bit of rumor that they are being caught with cyanide. So, I am wondering,

1. Have any of you heard of a company that has Carpenters that are guaranteed to not be caught with cyanide?

2. If not, is there any way to tell by looking at a live specimen if it was in fact captured using those means? I have not read of any kind of test that can be done by the time the end user (me) receives the fish, but I was wondering what your thoughts on this are.

3. If I can't find this fish, could you suggest a replacement that would go good with the other fish in my list

Thanks for any input

Bryan Flanigan

 

[Anonymous]

try contacting MaryH- I think through her company she would be able to let you know at the very least if the cyanide rumor is true or not, and best, she'd be able to get a harem for you...

 

[Len]

1. I don't know of any assurances, but Mary claims to be cyanide free. Contact her.
2. No way to really tell. Some conflicting anectdotal clues such as lethargic behavior to overly active, faded colors to overly intense colors, etc ....
3. A substititue is it's bigger cousin, the fairy wrasses. They're less timid anyhow, and feed like pigs. More variety to choose from too.

 

[Anonymous]

Well, since you all refer to her only as Mary Middlebrooke the peson, heres her company that you can contact. seacrop.com. Her other (MSI) business is wholesale, therefore, you the hobbyist can't deal with that business of hers.

1. I don't know of any assurances, but Mary claims to be cyanide free.

You make it sound like that Mary is suspect in her claims.

2. No way to really tell. Some conflicting anectdotal clues such as lethargic behavior to overly active, faded colors to overly intense colors, etc ....

There is a test, but not stateside. In the country of origin, shortly after collection, they can take a sample fish, put it into a blender and test for cyanide by-products.

3. A substititue is it's bigger cousin, the fairy wrasses. They're less timid anyhow, and feed like pigs. More variety to choose from too.

I agree fully, try to find some smaller fairy wrasses.

 

[Anonymous]

So far I have found them two places online.

The one is Dr.s Foster and Smith, but it doesn't look like I will be able to get the three at the same time. They claim that all their fish are net caught.

The second is The Marine Center. They had some, but it seemed like they weren't sure if they were actually Carpenter flasher wrasses, they said they all look similiar. When asked about them being net caught, they said that they hadn't heard any rumors of cyanide being used on the ones from Bali, Indonesia.

I have an email in to Mary, but they are out of the office until next week.

I also have a Local Fish Store looking for them.

Quarantine tank is all set up.

Bryan

 

[klingsa]

Let us know how that blender test comes out, will ya Bryan? :lol: :wink:

Sara

 

[naesco]

Yes seacrop.com is a reliable source for cyanide free fish.
Otherwise avoid any fish from the Philippines or Indonesia where the use of cyanide is rampant.
Arrange for your LFS to source your fish from one of the other supplier countries and you will be worry free and contributing to the growing boycott of all fish coming from Indonesia and the Philippines.
Soon the import of all fish from these two countries will be prohibited.