Quarantine a Diamond Goby and Lawnmower Blenny

[qasim99]

Hi guys. I currently have a 55 liter quarantine tank running with no sandbed and no algae. Im in the practice of quarantining fish before i add them to the main tank. Im really keen on getting a sand sifting goby as well as a lawnmower blenny but dont know if they with survive through the quarantine.. any ideas / recommendations?

On a side note, how effective is a UV sterilizer in preventing parasites such as cryptocaryon? Inwas told that it prevents the eggs from hatching

Thanks

 

[qasim99]

Id also like to add, that i do have a second quarantine tank which is currently running for 4 weeks with some rocks and corals, which does have algae in it, but it is very small (Between 35 and 40 liters), id prefer not to use this one, as i plan on taking out the rocks/corals in 2 weeks time.. if i add the blenny, id have to wait another 6 weeks

 

[Marshall O]

I would not recommend quarantining either in a barebottom tank with no live rock. Diamond Gobies need a thriving sandbed to sift all day, hunting for micro fauna. I think six weeks would be too long trying to feed it just on prepared foods. They also don't know what to do with themselves when they are in a tank with no sand. They can literally go mad.

Similar situation with the Lawnmower Blenny. These can be quite picky. I had one starve in my 55 gallon tank as it would never touch any prepared foods. You would want lots of established live rocks for it to pick at all day, along with your supplemental feedings.

These are my thoughts anyways. I have successfully quarantined both kinds of fish in established QT tanks with sand and live rock (although the LMB still ended up starving in the DT as noted).

 

[qasim99]

I would not recommend quarantining either in a barebottom tank with no live rock. Diamond Gobies need a thriving sandbed to sift all day, hunting for micro fauna. I think six weeks would be too long trying to feed it just on prepared foods. They also don't know what to do with themselves when they are in a tank with no sand. They can literally go mad.

Similar situation with the Lawnmower Blenny. These can be quite picky. I had one starve in my 55 gallon tank as it would never touch any prepared foods. You would want lots of established live rocks for it to pick at all day, along with your supplemental feedings.

These are my thoughts anyways. I have successfully quarantined both kinds of fish in established QT tanks with sand and live rock (although the LMB still ended up starving in the DT as noted).

Ok thanks, ill get a blenny for the timebeing and put it in the tank that has rocks.. theres a decent amount of algae for it in there. With regards to the goby, i will set up the QT again with a sandbed, once it is free (currently have 2 clowns in there) . How long should this tank be running with the sandbed in order to be properly prepared for a diamond goby?

 

[PirateToast]

The best LFS in my area, which has an extremely good reputation, quarantines diamond gobies in bare bottom tanks for what its worth. You could go less than 6 weeks if youre concerned.

Please make sure you have a tight fitting lid with this guy!

 

[spoonman1979]

I have quarantined several Diamond gobies on bare bottom. They get used to catching food that floats along the bottom, then when added to the display after a month or so go right back to sifting sand. No worries...

 

[qasim99]

Ok thanks guys, i think i will give it a go.. (Ive got several pieces of pvc pipe for it to hide and be a little more comfortable) if things seem like they arent working out, i can always transfer it to my friends tank, he doesnt care much for quarantining new fish .. Will get a blenny as well and add it to the QT with live rock.