Clownfish in QT - some questions..

[SCreeferGuy]

Have a 10 gal with sponge that spent 10 days in sump. Used water from DT and added two 1.5 inch clowns on Tuesday.

Everything was great for the first few days - fish ate pellets and mysis well. But yesterday and today...are not eating!? Swim up to food but don't take any of it. Seem active and normal otherwise.

Also did a water change yesterday (after only 4 days) because my ammonia had crept up to 0.3 (? hard to tell exact colors on Red Sea tests). Changed 4 gal. Checked ammonia today and it is 0.1?

Now for the questions:
1. How often do most people change QT water? From what I've read, some once a week, others longer, some daily (?).

2. Should I use freshly made saltwater for changes instead of DT water? Tank is cycled but empty otherwise. Just ghost feeding. Does have a live rock I put in 4 days ago to get some coralline algae, and already have pods swimming around.

3. Is it normal for clowns to stop eating for a while?

I was not going to plan on treating fish for any disease unless symptoms showed up. If I was to treat with Praziquantel, does it matter that they are not eating? Or is just adding to the water enough?

Thanks!

 

[DDon]

1. Really depends on if qt tank is cycled or not and size of tank. If cycled and ammonia stays at 0, once a week may be fine. If not cycled you may have to do larger changes every few days to keep ammonia down as ammonia is toxic.

2. I use freshly made water. Just make sure specific gravity and temp are matched, especially if doing larger changes.

3. Prazipro in the water is fine, just dose at recommended levels. It may cause a loss of appetite though so I would get them comfortable and eating first.

Water quality (ammonia) may be causing the issue with them not eating. Keep up on the monitoring and water changes. add prime or something similar so the ammonia is not toxic to the fish. Might want to also look at ammonia alert badges as quick visual of when ammonia is going high.

 

[ca1ore]

A few observations. Ten days is not very long so the sponge you are using in the QT may simply be inadequate. I would definately put in one of those ammonia alert badges as you may have an ammonia issue. Personally I always fill my QT from water from the display. Really see no reason to use freshly made up water unless you think you have a disease in the display - which means you've got bigger problems to tackle. I also see no reason to do water changes in the QT unless you are dealing with an ammonia problem or removing a medication. Prazipro can suppress appetite so I'd not add it untill your new fish are settled in and eating consistently. Any fish can go on a hunger strike if unhappy or stressed.

 

[SCreeferGuy]

Thanks - forgot to add that I do have an ammonia alert badge...that has not changed colors.

And these are my first fish - DT has never had anything in it but sand, water and salt so far (and one piece of live rock to seed - just added this week as well, and already have lots of pods!)

Will Amquel affect the ammonia level the test kits read? I have some, and will add it tonight.

 

[oakengineer]

Thanks - forgot to add that I do have an ammonia alert badge...that has not changed colors.

I didn't have good luck with mine. It showed .2 when my API kit said 2.

 

[Newsmyrna80]

IME the badges are not always accurate. Keeping ammonia levels at 0 in an uncycled QT can be difficult. Ammonia detoxifiers like Prime and frequent water changes will be needed.