Quarantine Procedures

[Itchy Trigger]

My 75g reef has been fallow for 8 weeks now. Waiting another two before introducing fish. I've had new fish in quarantine that have had either brook or uronema (these came in more recently - they were not in the DT 8 weeks ago). I've got a fire fish and a tilefish in a 10g that I'm still treating with metronidazole. Hopefully they'll be cured soon...

My question now is, for my next order of fish (going to get some new stuff from BlueZoo), would it be advisable to give them prophylactic treatments of a few different meds? I know there are two camps on this - one that just waits and observes, without treating unless something shows up, and the other that treats whether they see anything or not, just in case... Having dealt with various parasites over the past few months, I'm inclined to join the latter camp.

So if I go forward with that mentality, what would be the best course? Two weeks of Cupramine and two weeks of Metronidazole? PraziPro? I have all of these in my cabinet. If I could get some feedback I'd appreciate it. I want to be sure not to introduce any more parasites into the DT.

 

[firemountain]

Gonna follow along....I. Have similar concerns.

 

[Itchy Trigger]

What I'm leaning toward is a week of metronidazole, a week of prazipro, two weeks of cupramine, and then two weeks of observation. Then into DT if they are looking good, eating well and acting normally.

 

[gone fishin]

I will do Tank transfer for ich and observe while doing that. once TT is complete I will do a round of prazipro, then observe some more. Usually around 8 weeks total.

 

[snorvich]

I will do Tank transfer for ich and observe while doing that. once TT is complete I will do a round of prazipro, then observe some more. Usually around 8 weeks total.

This is what I recommend.

 

[shesacharmer]

I match salinity and temperature and put the fish straight into the QT as quickly as I can...no more than 60 minutes after arrival. I give them three days to get over shipping shock and then Prazipro for a a week while observing. If any sign of Ich (including cloudy eyes) I then put them through TT for 12 days using totes and disposable air stones with an ammonia badge. Back into QT for further observation and only treat for other illnesses if observed. Total QT time 8 weeks unless more is obviously needed.

 

[JMorris271]

This is what I recommend.

With this (TT & Prizipo) being done with 3 fishes in 3 different tanks would it be safe to add hose 3 about a day apart when treatment is complete?

 

[Itchy Trigger]

This is what I recommend.

TT + prazipro, 8 weeks total sounds good... What if, however, TT isn't an option? For instance if space doesn't allow for a second 10g container, or if multiple fish are being quarantined in a 35g q tank? In that case, would a week of metro, a week of prazi, two weeks cupramine, and say, 4 weeks observation be a thorough and effective 2nd best option?

 

[tmz]

This is what I do for new fish:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2185929&highlight=fish+acclimation+and+quarantine

 

[Itchy Trigger]

I understand that TT is the preferred method here, but as a second best option, if TT is not feasible, how's this for an aggressive QT protocol?

Day 1: Introduce fish to QT and let settle in
Day 2: 15% water change, Dose #1 Metronidazole & Prazipro
Day 3: 30% water change, Dose #2 Metronidazole & Prazipro
Day 4: 30% water change, Dose #3 Metronidazole & Prazipro
Day 5: 30% water change, Dose #4 Metronidazole & Prazipro
Day 6: 30% water change, Dose #5 Metronidazole & Prazipro
Day 7: 30% water change, Dose #6 Metronidazole & Prazipro
Day 8: 30% water change, Dose #7 Metronidazole & Prazipro
Day 9: 50% water change, Let fish rest w no additional meds
Day 10: 15% water change, Dose with Cupramine
Day 11-13: Observe
Day 14: 50% water change, Replace 50% of Cupramine
Day 15-17: Observe
Day 18: 50% water change, Replace 50% of Cupramine
Day 19-21: Observe
Day 22: 50% water change, Replace 50% of Cupramine
Day 23: Observe
Day 24: 50% water change, No meds
Day 25: 50% water change, No meds
Day 26-42: Observe. Water changes as needed

Total of 42 days. Could extend observation period longer, of course. Opinions?

 

[Hogholley]

I'm doing the exact procedure. TT is not really an option for me either. Not enough room in the house with a 3 year old and a 1 year old!!

 

[DDon]

TT + prazipro, 8 weeks total sounds good... What if, however, TT isn't an option? For instance if space doesn't allow for a second 10g container, or if multiple fish are being quarantined in a 35g q tank? In that case, would a week of metro, a week of prazi, two weeks cupramine, and say, 4 weeks observation be a thorough and effective 2nd best option?

2 weeks of cupramine may do more harm then good. I'm pretty sure ich requires 4 weeks of treatment to cure (not sure about velvet) and just doing 2 weeks of prophylactic may mask symptoms. Might be better to not treat with cupramine and just observe following the prazi treatment or do a full 4 weeks of cupramine. Just pondering out loud here.

 

[Itchy Trigger]

Yeah, I wish I had a more spacious quarantine area, but this being NYC, I'm limited on space... Starting the 42 day procedure I outlined above today for a small group of new fish just in from Blue Zoo. :fish2:

 

[Deinonych]

I will do Tank transfer for ich and observe while doing that. once TT is complete I will do a round of prazipro, then observe some more. Usually around 8 weeks total.

+1

Exactly what I do.

 

[Itchy Trigger]

2 weeks of cupramine may do more harm then good. I'm pretty sure ich requires 4 weeks of treatment to cure (not sure about velvet) and just doing 2 weeks of prophylactic may mask symptoms. Might be better to not treat with cupramine and just observe following the prazi treatment or do a full 4 weeks of cupramine. Just pondering out loud here.

Can anyone else chime in on this? I've read some people say two weeks, some say three, some say four... How long is long enough to be sure?

TT is unfortunately not an option for me, so while I know it's probably the best way, and the preferred way on RC, if I could get some opinions on the procedure I've outlined above, I would appreciate it.

 

[gone fishin]

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1992196

This will most likely answer all your questions.

 

[Itchy Trigger]

Thanks.

"2. Copper treatment - Follow medication recommendations. This can be effective in 2 to 4 weeks of treatment. "

Guess I'll go with 4 weeks to be sure.

 

[DDon]

Hey Itchy,
I have no personal experience with copper and only shared the time frames cited in many treatment threads I read which the majority of state 4 weeks. I use tank transfer myself but understand the issue with having room for multiple tanks.
There are some fish that are sensitive to copper so it might be good to research each fish before treatment.

 

[Itchy Trigger]

Hey Itchy,
I have no personal experience with copper and only shared the time frames cited in many treatment threads I read which the majority of state 4 weeks. I use tank transfer myself but understand the issue with having room for multiple tanks.
There are some fish that are sensitive to copper so it might be good to research each fish before treatment.

Hey, Don. Yes, I knew that's what you meant. I've heard about some fish (angels) being sensitive to copper too, so will investigate a little more. I believe there's another med people use for angels and other fish that are sensitive to copper. Chloroquine? I'll have to read up on that, and possibly use that instead.

 

[DDon]

Hey, Don. Yes, I knew that's what you meant. I've heard about some fish (angels) being sensitive to copper too, so will investigate a little more. I believe there's another med people use for angels and other fish that are sensitive to copper. Chloroquine? I'll have to read up on that, and possibly use that instead.

It is Chloroquine Phosphate (CP). Kinda hard to get but sounds like it works well. I do believe wrasses have issue with it though. Looked at it myself when I went through recent ich outbreak due to insufficient quarantine.