Lesson Learned about LFS!!!!

[sbeane]

Boy did i learn a big lesson. Ich is awful and deadly!!!! Never buy any new fish without QT them first. I bought 5 fish from Petco and boy do i wish i could go back and change it. But i know now! I now have my fish in a QT tank and treating them for ICH. I have lost 3 of the 5 new fish that i bought, plus my Naso and Anthia. Just be careful who you buy your fish from. I have always went to petland and i am still not sure why i went to petco but i will never make that mistake again. I took the 2 remaining fish i got from them and gave them back to them and told them they had ICH and they said oh okay. That is it. Then i went to get the copper from another LFS and they said ah you have ich huh? from petco? and i said yeah how did you know they said well your the 10 person this week with that problem......

 

[HumanIMDB]

Problems can occur when introducing a new specimen even when the specimen is purchased from the most reliable of sources.

The only defense against causing problems with your display tank is to quarantine everything that goes in it before you add it to the system.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!

 

[sbeane]

Yes i know that now. And once finshed with the treatment for ICH. I will take precautions for the next time i add a new fish. But i am still new to this.

 

[acrodave]

there is a big diff in a true saltwater fish shop and a petco, or petsmart. i wish more people would realize that

 

[HumanIMDB]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13205926#post13205926 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sbeane
Yes i know that now. And once finshed with the treatment for ICH. I will take precautions for the next time i add a new fish. But i am still new to this.

Unfortunately, it's something everyone learns for themselves.

Before joining RC, everything that we bought from the fish store was floated in the tank for a little while in the bag, then netted out, and then placed in the tank with everything else. No acclimation beyond temperature...

We were lucky and never had everything in the tank die, but we know now to QT everything before it goes in the tank.

 

[patsfan1130]

I have purchased many fish over the years from Petco. Often times they aren't even aware of what they are selling so the prices 9 times out of 10 are far less than the reputable LFS. They are often times malnourished and have nipped fins. I of course always QT them and bring them back to health. so in a way, I am doing the little guys a favor.

I agree with all of the above...a 3 week QT is nothing compared with the chaos and heartbreak of dealing with a disease outbreak in the DT.

 

[sbeane]

That is the way i was.I would just bring them home, put the bags in, and thats it. I have always bought from petland and never had one problem. They love their fish and take good care of their tanks. The manager of the saltwater aqua has his own personal tanks. But now i am fully aware of what happens when you do not take precautions. I loved my anthia she was so pretty, but now she is gone.

 

[EvMiBo]

I wouldn't put any fish into your DT for about 6weeks at least - maybe a little more if you're a patient person. Sucks, but it should kill of the ich that's in your DT now. QT for at least 4 weeks when you get your next fish.

:uzi: _______ Ich

 

[RichConley]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13205933#post13205933 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by acrodave
there is a big diff in a true saltwater fish shop and a petco, or petsmart. i wish more people would realize that

Every petco is different. I've seen quite a few Petcos that are MUCH better than the LFS around them.

 

[RichConley]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13206051#post13206051 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by toolfan

I agree with all of the above...a 3 week QT is nothing compared with the chaos and heartbreak of dealing with a disease outbreak in the DT.

3 Weeks of QT isn't going to prevent anything. Ich needs 8-10 weeks at a minimum.

 

[sbeane]

I am sure that every petco is different. My petco is not good at all. I just will never buy anything from them again. I would not say anything about the whole company just the one in my town. And i do agree with the guy that said there is a big diff in a true saltwater fish shop and a petco, or petsmart. i wish more people would realize that. Because when i get a chance i buy from a local place in Tallahassee Fl its a trip to go but it is worth it. I only buy coral from him.

 

[sbeane]

I was told 4 weeks to QT with Ich. My poor fish are not used to being in such a small tank. 8 weeks seems long. but i am willing to do whatever it takes for my babies.

 

[patsfan1130]

???

3 weeks in QT treated with copper is more than enough time to effectively treat.

 

[sbeane]

so it copper an agressive treatment? one of the LFS said use melafix the other said copper. I chose copper because everything i read about Ich said to use copper.