Fish that shouldn't be quarantined?

[dickhordishay]

Are there any fish that aren't really suitable for QT before introduction into the main tank?

Like, gobies that need sand, or anglefish or blennies that need live rock to graze on?

Should all fish always be QT'd before introduction into the main tank?

 

[BangkokMatt]

I would be reluctant to QT a mandarin. They tend not get the more common fish diseases but do need a constant source of pods to remain healthy / alive. Most QT tanks are unable to offer this.

 

[dickhordishay]

Thanks. That's the kind of stuff I was referring to.
I mean, gobies want sand, and other fish want live rock to graze from for the algae. How would they do in a QT?

 

[jnc914]

What about the Achille's Tang? Some say they are too delicate and skittish to be in a QT, however I intend on trying another one and want to QT for 4 weeks. I made the mistake of not Qt'ing my last one (2004), and he perished from Brook and killed my flame hawk too. Any input?

 

[Gwynhidwy]

I quarantine EVERYTHING. I've had a couple of bad experiences in the past with delicate fish that I was told couldn't be quarantined, so I didn't quarantine and wound up having to pull the whole tank apart and treat all of my fish. I know this doesn't work for everyone, but this is what I do, sometimes it takes planning ahead on my part, but it works for me. When I quarantine live rock grazers, I start in a QT that has been up and running for a month or more, with live rock in the QT and some algae growth. I usually try to be quarantining a small, hardy (read easy to get feeding on prepared foods), mellow fish at the same time because in my experience it seems to helps them settle in and start feeding sooner to not be in isolation.

If any disease is present I treat in a hospital tank after they've started eating what I offer and aren't only grazing on the LR. If they require live food, I harvest it out of my refugium and add it to the QT as needed. Since I don't medicate in the "established QT" I can have sand in there too if needed. Yes, it isn't the same as a fully established reef tank, but so far it has worked for me with every fish that I've tried from angels, to tangs, to gobies.

It's a pain, but I HATE tearing down my tank to treat every fish that I have, so I do everything that I can reasonably do to avoid that.

 

[ssavader]

Despite following the rules of QT, I have lost two clowns, a Powder Brown Tang, and a Mimic Ebili Tang in QT. I have very few fish loses in my DT. I truly support an appropriate QT, but also now believe that unless you plan to prophylactically treat for a specific disease, then it is best to purchase healthy fish with normal behavior, no outward signs of disease, that is eating well and interacting with the other tank inhabitants in a normal fashion, and add directly to the DT after an appropriate drip acclimation.

 

[just dave]

The dead ones.

 

[sunfish11]

Honestly, I don't quarantine any of them and I haven't lost a fish to disease yet. Now you may say that I am playing with fire here and maybe I am (so don't do as I do), but I do what works for me. I have some fragile fish I have done this way including a healthy achilles (and three other tangs), anthias, and a nice copperband. I still have the first fish I ever bought. I just feed the heck out of them when a new fish is introduced. The quicker they settle in the less stress therefore the less disease they have.

Also, make sure you buy very healthy fish to begin with.

I f I was quarantining I wouldn't quarantine a copperband, anthias, scooter blenny, mandarin, or sandsifters. Many wrasses also get very upset if they can't bury themselves at night or when they are scared. What you want to avoid in quarantine is stress of any kind. Stress = sick fish

Lisa

 

[marie]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12680636#post12680636 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jnc914
What about the Achille's Tang? Some say they are too delicate and skittish to be in a QT, however I intend on trying another one and want to QT for 4 weeks. I made the mistake of not Qt'ing my last one (2004), and he perished from Brook and killed my flame hawk too. Any input?

I quarantined my achilles for 8 weeks in a 55g tank with 2, hagen 802 powerheads and a maxi jet 1200.
Its a good thing I did because he came down with marine velvet the next day