Maybe a dumb question but can you quarantine multiple fish at the same time? I'm setting up my quarantine tank first and letting it cycle and was planning to get a fish or 2 in quarantine while my display tank cycles. Would it be possible to quarantine an ocellaris clown and a royal gramma together for 6 to 8 weeks?
Multi fish in quarantine?
- Thread starter Jimmer12
- Start date
JMorris271
New member
I asked that same question last year and the response I got from those that know was sure. Just hope one isn't infected.
MondoBongo
Obligate Feeder Obsessed
you certainly can, with a few "buts".
you will want to make sure that the fish going in to QT go in at the same time. anything you add to QT resets the clock.
you will want to make sure that the fish tolerate medications equally well. e.g. you wouldn't want to quarantine something that doesn't tolerate copper medications, like a dragonet, with something that you plan on treating with copper (either prophylactically or not).
you will want to make sure that there is ample room for the fish to hide. i like sections of PVC, especially elbows and t fittings. they're inert, they don't really absorb much, and they are easily to sterilize or replace if need be.
if you're using an established QT tank, make sure you're paying close attention to your levels of ammonia and such, and acting accordingly. more fish, more food, more waste, more ammonia.
you will want to make sure that the fish going in to QT go in at the same time. anything you add to QT resets the clock.
you will want to make sure that the fish tolerate medications equally well. e.g. you wouldn't want to quarantine something that doesn't tolerate copper medications, like a dragonet, with something that you plan on treating with copper (either prophylactically or not).
you will want to make sure that there is ample room for the fish to hide. i like sections of PVC, especially elbows and t fittings. they're inert, they don't really absorb much, and they are easily to sterilize or replace if need be.
if you're using an established QT tank, make sure you're paying close attention to your levels of ammonia and such, and acting accordingly. more fish, more food, more waste, more ammonia.
I am doing the same thing you want to do. I have few fishes in the QT tank. Make sure they are compatible, and the QT tank is big enough with plenty of hiding areas.
My Royal Gramma was very shy in the first 2 weeks and hiding all the time. She stands her grounds against some aggression from a Flasher Wrasse.
My Royal Gramma was very shy in the first 2 weeks and hiding all the time. She stands her grounds against some aggression from a Flasher Wrasse.
Well my quarantine is a 3 foot long 35 gallon tank and my display is a 3 foot long 46 gallon tank. Bio filtration on the quarantine will be a fluval 405 canister filter and an aquaclear 50 powerhead with sponge attached. Should be tons of bio filtration for 2 fish at a time I would think.
Sapelo
New member
In at same time? Into QT at same time and then into DT at same time.
Maybe it's just my human emotion taking over for the fish, but I honestly think they do better in a pair or small group, not so alone, someone with whom to eat and swim and be afraid.
See cautions above and then proceed. If they are going into the same DT, they are going to meet sooner or later anyway.
Maybe it's just my human emotion taking over for the fish, but I honestly think they do better in a pair or small group, not so alone, someone with whom to eat and swim and be afraid.
See cautions above and then proceed. If they are going into the same DT, they are going to meet sooner or later anyway.
Deinonych
New member
+1
I like to QT one fish at a time generally. Problem with doing multiple fish at a time is that if one fish brings in disease, all must be treated. Easier to treat one fish at a time without worrying about the other fish who might otherwise be healthy.
Shawn O
Active member
Certain animals may benefit from going from the qt to the dt at different times. If one species is a jerk and the other is very peaceful, the peaceful guy could go in first to establish it's 'spot' so to speak. ie, let a jawfish or shrimp/goby find a spot to burrow before adding a total butt-head to the tank. Once a butt-head decides the whole tank is his, good luck to the new guy entering the tank. Not usually a problem but can be in some circumstances, depending on the fish chosen. Also, as long as you're running a qt, might be good to get into the habit of putting your corals through qt before entering the dt. The possible pests you may keep out of the dt won't like it much but the dt inhabitants may.
Not sure if you were 'asking' or 'stating' .....
My own view on this is that having more than on fish in a QT tank is fine as long as you observe the good advice that folks have offered in this thread, along with a bit of common sense. Subsequently adding them all at once to the display is also fine, within reason. Adding a large number of new fish to a low bioload tank may stress the biofilter, for example.
rjjr1963
New member
I bought two 20 gallon QT's tonight. I'm going to put a couple of clowns in one and three pink skunk fish in the other. These fish are all in the same tank at the fish store. I'll probably pick up a couple more in a couple weeks and start quarantining more fish so that when my DT cycles and is ready for fish I'll be able to stock it in a couple weeks after it cycles.
kmbyrnes
New member
I'm glad to hear you're doing QT, but I'd rethink your stocking process.
How big is your tank?
What is your ultimate goal for the tank?
If this is a new tank, it will not be able to handle sudden increase in bioload.
Add fish slowly, no more than 1 or 2 at a time, to let the tank adjust.
What's your hurry?
Part of the fun in this hobby is learning the habits of your new fish and watching them adapt to their new community.
I have 10 fish in my 100 gallon reef and it took 6 months to get the first 8 in the tank.
How big is your tank?
What is your ultimate goal for the tank?
If this is a new tank, it will not be able to handle sudden increase in bioload.
Add fish slowly, no more than 1 or 2 at a time, to let the tank adjust.
What's your hurry?
Part of the fun in this hobby is learning the habits of your new fish and watching them adapt to their new community.
I have 10 fish in my 100 gallon reef and it took 6 months to get the first 8 in the tank.
Multiple clown fish (more than two), especially different species, will not do well in any but very large tanks.
rjjr1963
New member
My tank is a 180. I'm going to be using the Tampa Bay manufactured live rock. I'm building a 75 gallon sump which will hold about 60 gallons of water when it's in operation. I'm planning to have a larger active community of smaller fish rather than single large individuals.
I'm going to QT my fish for 9 weeks while the DT is cycling. When the DT is ready I'll introduce two clown fish and the following week two pink skunk fish.
I kept saltwater fish about 25 years ago but so much has changed since then. I've only been studying the hobby for the last six weeks so I do appreciate any advice you have. My overriding concern is for the health of the fish and I don't want to do anything to jeopardize them needlessly.
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