QT/Preventative treatment question

[Amazon4]

I have a 20 long as a QT. In there are currently:
4 lyretail anthias
1 red margin fairy wrasse
1 tiny watchman goby

There is some live rock, and I had aged the hang on filter sponge in a sump. They've been in QT for 3+ weeks now.

By doing daily 1 gal water changes, and not over feeding, I've kept the water quality very good (zero trates, trites, ammonia). SG is at 1.022

The resident are all doing well (knock on wood) and are just waiting for the 180 to be ready for additions.

I had QT'd with the intent to observe and only treat any illnesses that arise. However, I'm wondering about internal parasites. I've not seen any of them...well...poo to know if there are any indications present. But I thought it may be worth treating them as a preventative measure.

Your thoughts? Is there something I can soak the mysis with (so far only the wrasse is eating flake at this time)?

Thanks!

 

[Ruskin]

You can soak your food in garlic. That will help them all eat and should fight off anything diseas wise. Just keep them in QT for about 6 weeks from the last sign of any infection/disease and if they had something it *should* present itself then.

You may want to go easy with the amount of fish in your QT next time. It's supposed to be a place where they can be stress free and build up some strength from any existeing injuries/shipping conditions. Too many fish in a small tank will stress them all out and counter what you are trying to due with your QT.

 

[Amazon4]

yes, the wrasse ended up arriving before I was plannig for it. He was in QT for a while at another reefers and had to be moved early. I put him in another tank but he was attacked. I had to remove him. He's been in QT over 6 weeks (total) - plus I bought him from someone breaking down their tank - so he's not fresh from a LFS. But now that he's in with the new guys, the clock was reset.

The tank is pretty peacefull and there's plenty of rock and pvc. Everyone is getting along.

Not the ideal scenario, but it's working.

I should have mentioned that I have soaked the food in garlic - I will continue to do so.

Thanks!

 

[Chibils]

All evidence of garlic having any effect is, afaik, anecdotal. Mind that the anecdotal evidence is powerful, but there is no scientific evidence.

My only other concern would be the anthias. You could use prazipro to de-worm them if a more well-versed anthias guru thinks it wise (or even prudent).

 

[mattsilvester]

I'd be honest and say at this stage, treatment is over kill and if you can let them in the tank for a full 6 weeks, then you should find anything that could surface, will......

THere are pro's and con's to preventative treatment.... if it ain't broke....... etc. etc. etc. ..... trying to treat now could have a negative effect......

If something were to surface, then you would have to treat..... obviosuly, then the gains outweigh the cons....

 

[Amazon4]

I'm definitely learning toward non-treatment. They are entering their 4th week of QT. They seem content and are eating well.

Thanks for your input!

 

[mattsilvester]

you should be fine..... but I know how you feel..... I'm bordering on paranoid these days when it comes to ich prevention in particular!