Help quarantine advice - gobies/blennies

[jock]

Hi

I currently have a starry blenny and a 'watchman' goby in bare bottom qt tank for couple of days. I say 'watchman' as it was sold as a watchman but I will get a pic up soon and get an id on it cause I think it is something else. I hope bare bottom is ok with goby :/
However, the point of this is I just read that blennies and gobies are quite resistant to ich, which makes me think it will be difficult to see if they have it while in qt? Is this correct? Could they in theory carry it but be so resistant I don't see signs and end up putting then in my dt with other fish that are susceptible?
Thanks

John

 

[Spar]

Less likely than a Tang, maybe, but I wouldn't put them in the 'unlikely' category.

Ich isn't something you always see the signs of. If a fish is healthy, has a good immune system, eating well, etc, they likely/quite-often will still have some (albeit just a few) parasites in their gills, but not enough to impact them negatively. In that case, when you move the fish over you will be transferring it to other fish.

But, you are doing the right thing by at least monitoring to ensure you aren't bringing over an army and that your fish is healthy from more serious stuff (velvet, brook, etc).

How long are you planning on monitoring? My recommendation would be at least 3 weeks.

The only for sure ways to keep Ich away are the QT methods of Tank Transfer Method, Copper or CP.

 

[jock]

Thanks for reply.
Think I might just do tank transfer method and then be sure. Need to look it up how again. They were in taken from lfs tank bout 5pm on Friday. I know it's meant to be first thing in morning ideally, but can I just take that as day one of first transfer? Think that means I need to transfer them tomorrow morning. Or am I better making the transfer at 5pm and keeping it at that time to maintain 3 full days?
Cheers

 

[jock]

Was thinking 6weeks minimum and if 100% happy in the dt, otherwise 8wks. I've read various different time periods for qt.

 

[shesacharmer]

No, do it tomorrow morning. It's better since the parasites drop off over night. And yes you can start your countdown from the day you brought them home.

 

[jock]

Excellent thank you

 

[jock]

Help quarantine advice - gobies/blennies

One last thing. Given this is a last minute tank transfer method and not planned, I don't have any suitable pipe etc for fish to hide in. What can I use that will be lying about the house? Can I just stick a mug in there? Standard black crockery mug?

 

[formsix]

One last thing. Given this is a last minute tank transfer method and not planned, I don't have any suitable pipe etc for fish to hide in. What can I use that will be lying about the house? Can I just stick a mug in there? Standard black crockery mug?

Sure, as long as it isn't some strange foreign piece with lead paint you should be fine!

 

[jock]

Thanks. No lead paint

 

[Sk8r]

Unlikely to GET it, but just as apt to SHOW it plain on skin and fins if they do get it. Most sand-dwellers have a pretty good resistence to the parasite, but it's not 100 percent. Stress of capture and shipping can affect slime coat, and that can mean more vulnerability. They'll probably be fine.

 

[jock]

Thanks sk8r.

I feel this next question will have been asked loads before but I can't find it with a quick search and I'm sorry if everyone feels like they are repeating themselves

As I am treating for ich, which rightly or wrongly is my biggest worry, could I just put them in the dt after ttm?

From my very limited knowledge my concerns should be-

Ich - will have already treated for.
Velvet/brook - from little I know they are much more aggressive. Does this not mean they would show themselves within the 13 day ttm?

Internal Parasites - if I got parasites in my dt, how long would it need to remain fallow? I know they could have picked them up the day you bought fish, in which case how long do you leave them in qt before the signs would be visible?

Thanks for any advice

 

[Newsmyrna80]

Even at the 4 week mark a fish can be asymptomatic for velvet (personal experience), especially if the LFS runs low levels of copper on their system.
Best to observe in a cycled QT for a month after TT.

 

[peasofme]

to be safest i'd say 6 weeks in QT and even then, they might have ich and not show signs. 6 weeks covers marine velvet as well i think. that's why some people treat with copper in qt even if they show no signs.

 

[Sk8r]

I don't treat with copper: it's toxic, and difficult to manage without an ATO; and because if what it has turns out to be a disease treatable only with antibiotic, you've (a) weakened your fish and (b) have to put him through a total water change and de-coppering of all equipment before starting the antibiotic. Having a fish come in sick is fairly rare...not rare enough to make qt unnecessary, however. But a reasonably gentle qt held long enough is likely to see whatever-it-is surface.