![Macropharyngodon ornatus](/uploads/4/8/1/0/4810798/published/ornate-1.jpg?250)
My LFS contacted me and said he had managed to source a lovely specimen. I visited the shop and was duly impressed and was really looking forward to adding her to my little reef.
We followed our usual routine with my LFS keeping the fish for a week or so to ensure it is feeding and settled with no obvious issues. This is brilliant for me as I do not have a QT at home. I put my social acclimatisation box into my reef a day or so before collecting any new fish so my existing fish get used to it.
On arriving at the shop I was told my fish could not be found. She had appeared happy and feeding but could not be seen. The LFS keeps my wrasse in the coral tables as they are more settled and can browse the corals and live rock for food. We moved rock and corals but there was no trace of the fish. We checked the sump and pipework and all around the coral table to no avail. Sadly the fish had disappeared.
So disappointment tempered with the relief that I had not bought a fish, brought her home and lost her. My LFS is willing to take a financial loss to keep his customers happy and loyal.