If you've successfully kept a Kole Yellow-Eyed tang through QT...

[Dr Colliebreath]

Glad to see you are getting the situation under control. Rinse the floss to make sure it isn't holding debris as that can lead to increases in ammonia until the biofilter catches up.

The nori and kelp flakes are good. New Life Spectrum pellets are really good if you can get the kole to eat them.

 

[iwishtofish]

Glad to see you are getting the situation under control. Rinse the floss to make sure it isn't holding debris as that can lead to increases in ammonia until the biofilter catches up.

The nori and kelp flakes are good. New Life Spectrum pellets are really good if you can get the kole to eat them.

Thanks! Everyone recommends NLS pellets, but what kind, specifically? Just algae, or omnivorous?

 

[flameangel88]

I prefer NLS Thera-A. Here's a description from amazon:

New Life Thera-A Formula, Sinking Pellet Fish Food Non-Medicated Anti-Parasitic Formula 1mm Sinking Pellet Freshwater/Saltwater High-quality, easily digestible krill and fish meal protein Balanced daily diet for all fresh and marine fish. Boosts immune system to repel parasites Enhances the full spectrum of your fish`s colorFeeding Instructions:Feed twice daily. Amount should be able to be consumed by the fish within 1-2 minutes.

 

[iwishtofish]

I prefer NLS Thera-A. Here's a description from amazon:

New Life Thera-A Formula, Sinking Pellet Fish Food Non-Medicated Anti-Parasitic Formula 1mm Sinking Pellet Freshwater/Saltwater High-quality, easily digestible krill and fish meal protein Balanced daily diet for all fresh and marine fish. Boosts immune system to repel parasites Enhances the full spectrum of your fish`s colorFeeding Instructions:Feed twice daily. Amount should be able to be consumed by the fish within 1-2 minutes.

Thank you!

 

[iwishtofish]

I imagine some of you are finding this a little tedious, but here are some pictures from today that indicate the curiosity of the fish, and also give some perspective on the now healing wound. I'm speculating it might have resulted from some sharp edging on one of the pvc fittings I put in there. One of many lessons-learned.

 

[iwishtofish]

Yup. Everything is fine until something changes in the tank (new fish, heater fails, whatever), then boom! You've got a full blown outbreak and things start dying fast.

It's sickening. People around here that repeat the QT QT QT mantra are not trying to be jerks, just trying to spare others that awful experience.

I know. But I have to say that having done it for the first time, it is really time intensive and takes a lot of extra thought. I can understand why many people find the idea overwhelming. I'm still glad I'm QTing this fish, and will now have to resist the urge to put him in the DT too early.

The transfer issue is causing me a lot of worry. I don't want to overly stress (unavoidable?) or injure the fish again.

 

[rssjsb]

You'll be fine. I totally get the resistance to QT. I didn't have one for the longest time and everything seemed fine. Until it wasn't. It's hard not to sound preachy, but I really wouldn't wish that experience on anyone.

 

[Dr Colliebreath]

The transfer issue is causing me a lot of worry. I don't want to overly stress (unavoidable?) or injure the fish again.

The transfer will be easy. Get one of those rectangular plastic containers that they have at the fish store for handling fish (like this one http://www.aquariumguys.com/lees-specimen-container.html). Use it to very slowly herd the fish into a corner at the top, bringing the container up under it. I keep a net in my other hand to help keep the fish over the container. Take the fish to the DT and transfer it from the container to the tank. I put my fingers in and slowly raise them until the fish is lying in my hand as I feel that transferring by hand stresses the fish less than a net, but many just use a net.

During quarantine, I do QT water changes by emptying water from the QT and replacing it with DT water so that the fish in quarantine is acclimated to my DT water when it gets transferred from the QT to the DT.

 

[iwishtofish]

You'll be fine. I totally get the resistance to QT. I didn't have one for the longest time and everything seemed fine. Until it wasn't. It's hard not to sound preachy, but I really wouldn't wish that experience on anyone.

It's amazing what gets into our tanks. I just brought home an acro with redbugs, and now I can't easily get Interceptor to get rid of them. I am just going to give away that coral (with full disclosure). I could have spotted them before I brought it home, if I'd know then what to look for.

Fish - not so easy.

The transfer will be easy. Get one of those rectangular plastic containers that they have at the fish store for handling fish (like this one http://www.aquariumguys.com/lees-specimen-container.html). Use it to very slowly herd the fish into a corner at the top, bringing the container up under it. I keep a net in my other hand to help keep the fish over the container. Take the fish to the DT and transfer it from the container to the tank. I put my fingers in and slowly raise them until the fish is lying in my hand as I feel that transferring by hand stresses the fish less than a net, but many just use a net.

Wow - no need to worry about the "scalpel?" Are nets really that much worse?

During quarantine, I do QT water changes by emptying water from the QT and replacing it with DT water so that the fish in quarantine is acclimated to my DT water when it gets transferred from the QT to the DT.

I think I might do this, too, when a bit closer to transfer time!

 

[Daniel Reef]

You can use Bayer Advanced Insect Killer as an alternative to interceptor. read this thread - http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1965880 You can get it at Home Depot or Lowes.

 

[iwishtofish]

You can use Bayer Advanced Insect Killer as an alternative to interceptor. read this thread - http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1965880 You can get it at Home Depot or Lowes.

Thanks, Daniel - I glanced at the beginning of that thread. Frankly, I'm a bit afraid of exposing my reef (haha, reef?) to the stuff, because of the unknowns. But I'll take a second look at it!

 

[Daniel Reef]

There is a video showing how it is used. But you can't and should not put it in your tank. You should only use it as a dip. If you do chose this route, please post your results in the thread for others to learn about. TIA.

 

[Dr Colliebreath]

You should make the transfer whichever way you are comfortable with doing. I suspect most people use a net. Either way, keep the fish covered with your other hand so it doesn't take a leap and go carpet surfing.

I haven't been cut by the scalpel (or dorsal fins/spines) yet, but you never know. It depends on the fish. I wouldn't do it by hand if the fish is freaked out as you could expect to get cut.

 

[iwishtofish]

You should make the transfer whichever way you are comfortable with doing. I suspect most people use a net. Either way, keep the fish covered with your other hand so it doesn't take a leap and go carpet surfing.

I haven't been cut by the scalpel (or dorsal fins/spines) yet, but you never know. It depends on the fish. I wouldn't do it by hand if the fish is freaked out as you could expect to get cut.

Ok, thank you, Frank. I think I'd feel more comfortable with a net. I have heard experts advise that they use the rectangular containers; I used one for acclimation, as the shipping bag was leaking, and the fish was flipping out in the box, banging all around. Probably just the inexperienced way I went about it.

 

[Teddynola]

" I put my fingers in and slowly raise them until the fish is lying in my hand as I feel that transferring by hand stresses the fish less than a net, but many just use a net."

Your tang is a surgeon fish, so I wouldn't put my hand under it for transfer. I've seen pics of the damage their "scalpel" can do.

 

[tfrechette]

Great informative thread. Great looking fish.

I test ammonia using the API kits and find it difficult to read my results. To me and my wife it appeared to be closer to a yellow color than a green. Tested some new mixed water and got the same color so assumed that the color we see is the zero indicator.

Anxiously awaiting his release to the DT.

Cheers!

 

[iwishtofish]

Great informative thread. Great looking fish.

I test ammonia using the API kits and find it difficult to read my results. To me and my wife it appeared to be closer to a yellow color than a green. Tested some new mixed water and got the same color so assumed that the color we see is the zero indicator.

Anxiously awaiting his release to the DT.

Cheers!

Thanks, tfrechette! I am anxious, too! Just watching as carefully as I can for signs of parasites.

I have always had quite a time with reading API kits.

 

[iwishtofish]

I was spying on the tang through the door crack this evening, just watching it swim around the tank. To me, it looks like he is going a bit stir crazy. He is an erratic, darty fish - prone to spontaneous movements - but I haven't seen any flashing or rubbing, head shaking, or any visible sign of parasites.

I have to question the good of keeping him penned up much longer, even though I know it is too soon to be certain he has no other afflictions. I've read that Kole tangs don't do well in extended quarantine, and maybe this is what I am seeing.

 

[gone_fishing]

I was spying on the tang through the door crack this evening, just watching it swim around the tank. To me, it looks like he is going a bit stir crazy. He is an erratic, darty fish - prone to spontaneous movements - but I haven't seen any flashing or rubbing, head shaking, or any visible sign of parasites.

I have to question the good of keeping him penned up much longer, even though I know it is too soon to be certain he has no other afflictions. I've read that Kole tangs don't do well in extended quarantine, and maybe this is what I am seeing.

My Kole Tang broke out with ich on day 21 of QT in a 20g, it is now going through 4 weeks of copper and 4 more of observation after that. As long as it is still eating, it is fine. It does prefer algae to be soaked in garlic though, picky. And it is with a foxface that came from the same tank at LFS.

 

[flameangel88]

I have to question the good of keeping him penned up much longer, even though I know it is too soon to be certain he has no other afflictions. I've read that Kole tangs don't do well in extended quarantine, and maybe this is what I am seeing.

I think we both received our kole the same day (Tues Nov 15th) and mine didn't show ich till this past Saturday. Now starting hypo which I got the sg down to 1.015 yesterday morning and will be down to 1.009 the next 2-3 days. It will be 8 weeks of hypo then 4 weeks of observation so it will be 3 months before it will see the reef. I suggest taking it slow better safe than sorry.

Feed more nori and it should be fine in QT. Btw--it took mine a good week before coming out from hiding.