Halichoeres spp. wrasses and QT

[Deinonych]

I am planning to get a H. biocellatus for my next fish. I know fish from this genus sleep/hide in the sand bed. For QT, is it essential to provide a sand bed as well, or will they do OK with a few pieces of PVC temporarily? My QT protocol involves tank transfer as well as prophylactic treatment with PraziPro followed by observation for a couple weeks. So, total time in QT is 5-6 weeks barring any other ailments that might come up.

If a sand bed is an absolute requirement, my thought is to do 3-4" of sand in a tupperware container. Obviously, this will need to be discarded and replenished during the tank transfer process. I would welcome everyone's input on this.

 

[HiImSean]

Tupperware is perfect.

 

[evolved]

Use a sand box (container with at least 2" of sand). For each TT, use fresh sand.

 

[hogfanreefer]

A Halichoeres wrasse was one of my first fish. I didn't know any better and QT'd him in a bare bottom 29 gal for 10 weeks. The first three days he swam around the tank with his nose on the bottom. He did fine and is one of the oldest fish in my tank but I wouldn't recommend doing that. Just use an appropriate size Tupperware container (two of them for TT) and he will be much happier in QT.

 

[Deinonych]

Thanks everyone. Sounds like sand is the way to go!

 

[aquaph8]

I've had a couple that wouldn't use the Tupperware, I just dumped a little pile in the corner and it worked great.