New Fish

[amason]

My tank has cycled for a month and a half and was looking to buy a fish tomorrow. I have a qt tank set up, should i place the new fish in the display which only has hermits and lr, or do a quarantine? If I quarantine, should i use copper treatment just in case, I've already had one run in with ich 4 weeks ago. Someone please advise.

 

[farslayer]

You may want to go ahead and QT your new fish, but I would hold off on copper treatment unless you notice disease symptoms. Copper in any amount in your primary tank can be lethal to your inverts; moving your fish from a copper-laden QT tank to your primary tank is sure to introduce some copper. You may want to use something such as Dipex and Greenex instead of copper-based medicine. I've had a lot of luck with it in the past.
Hope this helps

 

[amason]

How long would you keep the new fish in the qt? I've read 2 weeks on here which is enough time to detect any problems such as ich. Suggestions?

 

[farslayer]

I would think that two weeks would be just fine, just make sure that you have adequate filtration in your QT tank so that the poor guy doesn't suffocate on ammonia
You'll need to watch for erratic behaviour such as darting, scratching, hiding, not eating, cloudy eyes/body and of course those little ick parasites.

 

[amason]

thanks for your help, i think i'm gonna start off with some type of wrasse, i have a few in mind. can't wait!

 

[farslayer]

Wrasse are pretty cool, but from what I understand can be a bit agressive and can pose a risk to inverts. Make sure you ask around before putting anything in your tank, there are lots of people here who can give you some good advice on the behaviours of different species and how well they interact with other fish, inverts, corals, etc.

 

[sw65galma]

Originally posted by amason
My tank has cycled for a month and a half and was looking to buy a fish tomorrow. I have a qt tank set up, should i place the new fish in the display which only has hermits and lr, or do a quarantine? If I quarantine, should i use copper treatment just in case, I've already had one run in with ich 4 weeks ago. Someone please advise.
yes you should QT, because if it does have ICH, your display can't be treated (well) and then it will have to be down for alteast a month.
I would say Atleast 4 weeks in QT. as that is the ICH Cycle, so if there are any Straglers, they'll be dead by the time the fish get to the display.
Also one thing I've seen done at the LFS, is thier QT is actually Hypo Salinty... or SG at 1.009 This is fine for fish for the short while they are in QT and will kill off any ICH at the same time.

 

[farslayer]

You may want to put a UV sterilizer on your QT tank to keep the ich out of the water. From what I have read, ich can survive in the tank water without a host for up to 21 days.

 

[ophiura]

What kind of wrasse? Just be warned, there aren't too many suitable one's that come to mind for a 35g hex...that will be a tricky tank to stock, as you may have been warned. Maybe a 6 line or 12 line or similar, but not too many others, IMO.

 

[amason]

i was thinking of a 6 line but was warned of their aggressive behavior if added first to your tank. I"m still deciding which fish i would lilke to add first, still not sure. I know perculas are hardy fish but aren't they disease prone at the same time?

 

[jimmy g]

I would QT for your fish for 4 weeks....If ICH does show up do hypo salinity....This is the most effective way to get rid of ich and wont put any medications into your QT. If you want to know how to do HYPO , E-Mail me at
James_G1234@yahoo.com
Hope this helps,
JIm