Missing assessor

[STiky]

So last night I picked up a yellow assessor from petco. Managed to talk him down to a cheap price dripped him in and then added to the 80 cube. Oooooo ahhhhhh. Pretty. Then an evil damsel I had started picking on him. I've wanted this damsel gone for months but was unable to catch him. The time had come to re-aquascape and remove him. After 30 mins of playing God in my tank we got him. The assessor was out during the reconstruction but now he's gone. Poof. Disappeared. I know they are shy at first but I hope I didn't crush him somehow. Anyone else had experience with these fish? Do they play Houdini and disappear for the first few days or even week? Hope he's in there somewhere.


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[specvjeff]

They are cave dwelling fish and I wouldn't be surprised if he's just well hidden. Give him some time to venture out. While you wait, I'd do a once over around the tank to make sure it didn't jump out. Also, if you have an overflow and sump, take a look in both.

[STiky]

Well, a week went by with no assessor. Not even a hint. I picked up another at the same place for the same price. Dripped in and watched him all night. Pretty cool fish. Wake up this morning. Boom! Two assessors. ***....go figure. Anybody had success with more than one in a tank? I have an 80 cube.


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[SmilinAvnger]

Should be fine in a tank your size if you have plenty of live rock for hiding if necessary.

[STiky]

Tons of rock. I used to do tricky combos back when I had the 180. The fish wouldn't even realize they had another of the same kind in that tank lol.


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[STiky]

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[SmilinAvnger]

Ahh yeah! That looks nice.

[STiky]

That's only half the tank. Not a good pic but the assessors are out front just staying to their perspective sides. That evil damsel made me mess up the aqua scape. I'll get it back someday lol. Thanks for the input guys. Hope they get along. Or maybe there will be an assessor in the for trade section haha.


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[KorL]

How much were they and from where?

[STiky]

Petco Carmel is the only place right now. ORA. 49.99.


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[STiky]

Fyi petco is negotiable on all sales. Don't pay full price. Ask what they can let it go for. You'd be surprised.


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[KorL]

Fyi petco is negotiable on all sales. Don't pay full price. Ask what they can let it go for. You'd be surprised.


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Really?!!? So what, you just give them your best offer or ask if they can sell for cheaper. lol. Hmmm... there's a harlequin tusk I've been eyeing

[jasonp87]

Really?!!? So what, you just give them your best offer or ask if they can sell for cheaper. lol. Hmmm... there's a harlequin tusk I've been eyeing

It's true, I frequent the one by my house so everyone in the fish department recognizes me. If there is something that has been there a while that I want I'll start talking to them and mention how long that fish has been there and if they can cut a break on the price to get rid of it that day. However, I have found that their prices are pretty competitive and if the fish has been there a while it will be marked down as much as 25-35%.

You have to remember that these fish take extra care and have usually been through a lot of stress, the store knows this. So the longer a fish is there the greater liability it is for the store because the chances of it dying and them getting nothing for it go up. It's better for the store to take a small hit on a high mark up and sell you the fish and at the same time make a happy customer.

[STiky]

Agreed and the percentage of employees that know salt water are very small. Although there are some who know more than we do. I usually start by saying can you do it for this much..and they either agree or counter the offer. Usually the managers will be the ones to mark down. If they don't budge you mention the length it's been there and can comment about there lackluster equipment they keep them in but usually isn't necessary. Just be polite and they usually work with you. But shhh. Don't give away our secrets haha.


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