2.5" Kole and 2.5" Blue Hippo QT at the same time?

[ilikefish34]

This would not be a consideration if they were larger. A LFS has both of these small tangs (I'm being generous at 2.5") that are both eating well and look to be in very good condition.

My QT process is a formalin dip (45 mins) before entering a 20 gal for TTM and prazi--PVC, heater, air pump, small powerhead.. Then they go into a 50 gal breeder for observations for 6 weeks. The 50 is a reef and go back into the 20 if there are problems.

The question is whether this would be too much stress for the two fish to be in the 20 gal at the same time. If not, then I'll put both in there. If so, then I'll put one in the 20 and go through the TTM in 10 gallon for the other. I'm less concerned about them in the 50 for a month but would like to hear thoughts on that as well.

I'm not trying to rush this but I like the idea of adding these at the same time and would like to avoid the extra work of the TTM with the extra tank... and a bit more money in salt and I'd need to purchase another two heaters and one more air pump to have completely dedicated equipment for each transfer.

Thanks
Mike.

 

[ThRoewer]

2.5 in is about the size of the 2 starcki damsels I have (separated by some eggcrate) in a 10 gallon QT.
I would give it a shot in the 20, but keep some eggcrate at hand to put a separator into the tank in case they don't get along. With separation TTM may also work in a 10 gallon tank.

Lowering the salinity to 1.018 for TTM would reduce stress and save some salt at the same time.

 

[ilikefish34]

I should have mentioned that I do have two sets of crates to act as dividers in the 20 during TTM. After reading other posts of yours, I do lower my salinity to 1.018.

Thanks
Mike

 

[ThRoewer]

With dividers you will definitely be fine.