Large Angel Quarantine

[e55MD]

After my recent ich experience, I have decided to set up a QT for all my new fish purchases.
Last week, I purchased a 6-7" Conspicuous Angelfish which is being held for me until I can get a new QT set up. How large a tank would be reasonable for such a big fish? I was thinking 55 or 80 gallons but I am really not sure. Obviously, I don't want to undersize the tank, especially with such a rare and expensive fish on the way.

 

[danorth]

Given your occupation, I'd spring for the bigger tank.

 

[Recty]

I used to use a 125g tank for quarantine of my bigger fish... it's about the perfect balance of being long (6 feet) but huge still.

Perfect for those fish that need more room, you can always just only half fill it with water too for quarantining smaller fish.

 

[bluedevils32701]

ya the bigger the better! nice buy! should have my conspic soon too!

 

[e55MD]

Recty,

I am trying to keep my QT smaller so that my house is not overrun with tanks. I am already running a 240 gallon HT because I had to move my fish from my 400 gallon for treatment with Cupramine. My wife is counting down the days for me to get rid of it I will probably go with the 80 gallon. It should be adequate for a couple of weeks. I have been looking at the Elos tanks- excessive for QT but I'll be able to use it as a reef tank later on.

 

[danorth]

Any pics of the 400 pre-outbreak?

 

[ccampbell57]

the 80 should be just fine for the Conspic for QT.

Just make sure you have it dialed in before you drop that bad boy in there.

Can't wait to see pics of him. I want to get one for my new 560g display.

 

[e55MD]

danorth,

I will try and load some pics up onto photobucket this week.

ccampbell57,

I can't wait to get him (it's one of my dream fish) It will probably be a several weeks still between buying my QT, having it shipped, getting it set up and filled etc.
The 80 gallon would make a nice home for a Gem Tang in the future!

 

[mhills16]

I can't wait to see pics of the new angel!!!!!!

 

[mhills16]

also, i wouldl ike to see pics of your 400 gallon setup!

 

[Recty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13446161#post13446161 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by e55MD
Recty,

I am trying to keep my QT smaller so that my house is not overrun with tanks. I am already running a 240 gallon HT because I had to move my fish from my 400 gallon for treatment with Cupramine. My wife is counting down the days for me to get rid of it I will probably go with the 80 gallon. It should be adequate for a couple of weeks. I have been looking at the Elos tanks- excessive for QT but I'll be able to use it as a reef tank later on.

I understand that I use a spare bedroom as my quarantine room, I'm normally just running a 29g tank in there, but every once in a while I bust out the 125g for a big fish

But yep, my wife doesnt like it, even though its in another room she never even sees, oh well.

 

[kirkaz]

Conspic's are amazing, my second favorite Angel....Can I come visit from Surprise??

Not sure what your plans are in QT, but I am learning through experience how much Angels are prone to flukes, my new Emperor had them and I'm currently treating him. Might suggest treating him with Prazipro while in QT.

 

[ccampbell57]

Good point Kirk!

e55 - I just lost a paired bandit angel to flukes a week back. I wish I had treaded the tank with Prazi Pro from the get go.

Make sure that you do the same with the Conspic when he comes in.

As for the Gem tang...sounds like a plan to me I like your taste!

 

[phc567]

theres a really good thread of flukes in the socal forum.

 

[saltyESQ]

i'd use the largest qt you can accommodate and put a decent skimmer on it. you also may want to dose with prazipro in your qt for the first week (you use it for a week with skimmer off). many believers in the QT process also believe it is only truly effective if you do hypo for a month in the QT (which means QT for 2 months really with the raising and lowering of the salinity). i generally agree, although that would mitigate against going with such a large tank.

i'm also not a big believer in buying fully grown angels due to inflexibility in eating (including not eating out of the wild) and temperament. i've had a lot of success with 4" angels (strong enough to survive the trip and stress, young enough to adapt to tank life). i realize you may be past that issue with your recent purchase, but something to keep in mind, along with fish ordering, when you have multiple angels.

 

[LargeAngels]

ccampbell57: Did you loose both bandits or one? That sucks. I treat EVERY single fish with Prazipro.

I QT large angels in a minimum 4' tank. Don't get a tank bigger than is easy for you to do water changes.

 

[ccampbell57]

LA - I just lost one of them. The other is doing good now. Yeah it totally sucks because the two bandits were really getting along. In fact the new one was acting as a cleaner for the old bandit. I would watch him/her lightly peck at the fish just like a cleaner wrasse. Very interesting.

I will get another one once my large tank is setup.

 

[squealy]

Can I ask a question of you angel guys? I received 12 days ago a 3 inch blueface angel from LA. I put him in a 20 gal QT with some PVC pipe. He remains in the PVC all day long and I don't think is eating much. On about the 4th day I started cupramine prophylactically. Questions: Is the 20 gal QT way too small for this guy? Is that why he's so shy and not eating? Any advice on feeding him? Should I treat him with Prazipro? How do you do this and treat for ich? Sorry for all the questions. Thanks.

 

[e55MD]

kirkaz,

You are more than welcome to come and see my Conspic when I have him all settled in. I live in Paradise Valley so it would be a bit of a drive from Surpise.

squealy, I think that your Angel is small so I would imagine while a 20 gallon is not ideal for your fish, it would suffice as a QT tank. Is your tank properly cycled? I would check Ammonia and Nitrite levels because the fish will not eat if they are high. Also, try many different types of food soaked in Garlic (mysis, squid, marine algae etc)
I am glad that you are using QT for a LA fish. My ich outbreak started with a Diver's Den fish.

 

[squealy]

The tank is cycled. Ammonia is 0, although I have not checked nitrites. I have been using garlic on all foods. Would you suggest finishing a month of cupramine and then treating with prazipro?

One thing I can say for LA. I called them today, 12 days after receiving the fish and told them the story. They gave me some advice (and told me to ask the question on RC), but they offered to extend the 14 day guarantee another week or two just to see if the fish starts eating. I think that is vey generous of them and that's why I try to buy my fish from them.