Quarantine - how many fish are *too* many?

[greghigham]

After losing 99% of my fish population to a nasty outbreak of what appears to be combo Crypto/Oodinium (compliments of my newly added, unquarantined Blue Tang), I have painfully learned the value of a quarantine tank.

I will do my penance and allow my display tank to go fallow for 40+ days & begin my restocking with a strict QT protocol. While I know there are strong opinions on both sides of this issue, I am not here to debate the topic of quarantining, but rather to better understand how best to approach my *restocking plan*. I have a 190g DT and plan to restock with a fair number of fish (detailed below). If I were to quarantine 1-2 at a time, in a single QT, for 40+ days each, it would take me until some time in 2010 to complete the process (only slight sarcasm )...

Considering the list of fish below, and the willingness to deploy more than one QT if necessary, how would you recommend I approach this activity in as timely and sane a manner as possible?

(1) Squarespot Anthia (Pseudanthias pleurotaenia)
(1) Sixline Wrasse (Pseudocheilinus hexataenia)
(1) Kole Tang (Ctenochaetus strigosus)
(1) Yellow Tang (Zebrasoma flavescens)
(2) Bangaii Cardinalfish (Pterapogon kauderni)
(2) Royal Gramma (Gramma loreto)
(2) False Percula Clown (Amphiprion ocellaris)
(6) Blue Green Chromis (Chromis Vidris)

My sincere thanks in advance for your thoughts,
G

 

[alprazo]

You've picked a relatively non-combative bunch. I would personally add in two groups. The Chromis, Percs, Cardinals +/- the Kole. I would follow this by rest.

It has been a while since I've added much livestock, but I like to purchase online and it saves limit your orders. The fish also get along better when introduced together in the display. I use a fluidized bed filter with a UV and air stone skimmer, unless medicating, and pack the fish in. It is only for a month or so. Similar volume to the LFS. If something is present, you will quickly see it because of the overcrowding.

I'm sure some will disagree.

 

[paulamrein]

I'm in the same boat and with similar fish. The only fish I have had problems with were the chromis. I have two QT's going a 29g and a 10g I'm QTing all the big fish in the 29 and small fish in the 10g. Both have skimmers. and good filtration. But the Chromis systematically killed off half of the school leaving me 3 to put in my display. I QT for a strict 6 months. And running 2 QT's will put me into October this year. I'm doing any pairs or like species together but that is it. It is a tough call QTing more than 1 or 2 fish because if one has something nasty, The other will soon follow and instead of 1 re-buy you have mulitple. Similar to the situation you were just in. My suggestion is costly, but worth it. Buy/borrow/trade for a few QT's and filtration if time is the issue.

 

[paulamrein]

I noticed I said I QT for a strict 6 months I meant weeks.

 

[greghigham]

Gracias. Anyone else care to share their thoughts on this one?
Appreciatively,
G