How to qaurantine new anthias?

[Felixc]

As the title states, I would like to know what are some of the methods people are using to quarantine their newly purchased anthias. I have a group of eight Maldive Lyretail coming and I would like to get some ideas? For instance:

tank size
aquaspace or bare
types of food
medication or not
types of medication
quarantine duration

 

[SDguy]

Tank size: Larger is better, of course, but managability is more important. Keeping water quality high, for 8 new anthias, which will probably require lots of food being thrown into the tank, can be easier in a smaller tank, since changing an entire 20g may be easier for you than changing 50 entire gallons. I would do a 20g myself.

Filtration: An established hang-on power filter is perfect. Also, keep a small powerhead in the tank for brisk circulation (cover the intake!!)

Aquascaping: Large PVR pipe segments works fine. Make sure they don't bounce around in the flow, though. IME this can freak out the fish.

Food: Whatever they will eat. Try TINY amounts at first to prevent fouling the water with uneaten food. Remove uneaten food as quickly as possible. I like hikari mysis, finely minced shrimp and scallop from the grocery store as first foods. A trick I use: throw the food into the flow of the powerhead. IME The quick movement of the food shooting through the water column often triggers an anthias feeding response (not that lyretails are terribly difficult).

Meds: I would prazi them. Otherwise, nothing unless needed. The idea of coppering fish becasue they may carry something like ich or velvet without showing signs, is a personal decision. Some people do, some don't.

Duration: I'd go 3-4 weeks if all looks good, especially if you do multiple prazi treatments.

HTH. GL, they are great fish!

 

[Felixc]

Just the man I wanted to hear from. Everything you described was on my list of thing to try. As for Prazi, when do you administer the dosages?

 

[SDguy]

Since it can kill appetite in some fish, I like to do it after the fish is eating and has good weight, unless there is some immediate issue.

 

[Felixc]

Do you treat prazi regardless if they eat or not. One thing I am uncertain of is if the fish is already eating well and putting on good weight, would it still be necessary as a preventative? I hate to treat healthy fish as it is a risk anytime medication is used.

 

[Jacob D]

I agree with all of what Peter posted.

I QT'd 2 separate batches of 12 carberryi anthias each in a standard 55g not too long ago. 3 weeks each, prazi started after they were eating regularly. I get all of my fish eating with live black worms and go to mysis from there, then pellet and flake, but for the anthias I introduced pellet right away so I could take advantage of using an autofeeder and after a few days they were on the pellet.

I'm more lax than most about doing water changes but my QT is also a little more beefed up than some. I run a HOB filter as well as a HOB skimmer. I also have about 20lbs of LR in the tank. I never break the tank down... or have not yet anyway. I do use an ammonia alert badge and keep an eye on it daily. I change at least 25% each week 50% if I can or feel I need to. I always siphon uneaten food and detritus out. One thought, I would suggest erroring on the side of too much flow as it will help keep the water oxygenated which will be important for a large group of fish who are consuming a lot of food.


Out of the 2 dozen fish I only lost one in QT and have not lost any since moving them to my display a few months ago.

 

[SDguy]

I would, yes. IMO prazi is pretty easy to use, and isn't terribly harsh on the fish, so I think it's a good prophylactic med.

 

[Felixc]

By the way, what are some of the significant differences of a the Maldive vs elsewhere?

 

[Felixc]

then pellet and flake, but for the anthias I introduced pellet right away so I could take advantage of using an autofeeder and after a few days they were on the pellet.

I am the same way, pellets are a time saver for sure. My tank has been on automatic feeder for years. Especially with anthias, there's nothing better then pellets being dumped every few hours. My Barletts have doubled in size in just 6 months on primarly NLS grow formula. They get treats like brine/mysis once a week.

 

[SDguy]

By the way, what are some of the significant differences of a the Maldive vs elsewhere?

Very generally speaking:

Females: not much. Maldive are a brighter, more monochromatic orange, while indo specimens are darker orange, with differing shades on various fin edges.

Males are pretty different. Maldive have a maroon body with yellow highlights on the flank scales, while indo are purple with red edges.

 

[snorvich]

Tank size: Larger is better, of course, but managability is more important. Keeping water quality high, for 8 new anthias, which will probably require lots of food being thrown into the tank, can be easier in a smaller tank, since changing an entire 20g may be easier for you than changing 50 entire gallons. I would do a 20g myself.

Filtration: An established hang-on power filter is perfect. Also, keep a small powerhead in the tank for brisk circulation (cover the intake!!)

Aquascaping: Large PVR pipe segments works fine. Make sure they don't bounce around in the flow, though. IME this can freak out the fish.

Food: Whatever they will eat. Try TINY amounts at first to prevent fouling the water with uneaten food. Remove uneaten food as quickly as possible. I like hikari mysis, finely minced shrimp and scallop from the grocery store as first foods. A trick I use: throw the food into the flow of the powerhead. IME The quick movement of the food shooting through the water column often triggers an anthias feeding response (not that lyretails are terribly difficult).

Meds: I would prazi them. Otherwise, nothing unless needed. The idea of coppering fish becasue they may carry something like ich or velvet without showing signs, is a personal decision. Some people do, some don't.

Duration: I'd go 3-4 weeks if all looks good, especially if you do multiple prazi treatments.

HTH. GL, they are great fish!

Just the guy you want to answer this. I suggest two prazi treatments, 10 days in between.

 

[skibum9884]

Steve, when you say 10 days, do you mean begin the 2nd treatment 10 days after you started the first, or 10 days after you've ended the first?

Just a bit of clarification! I've never been clear on this!

 

[Apercula]

By the way, what are some of the significant differences of a the Maldive vs elsewhere?

Maldives Male

Maldives pair, male nearly done changing, he has male pattern but not full color in this picture.