I usually QT all new arrivals for at least 4 weeks, with the only exception being a moray eel that I QT'ed for 10 days. I currently have a hippo tang that I purchased 12 days ago from a LFS. I was planning on QT'ing this particular fish for 4 weeks at a minumum- do to their reputation of being ich prone. I need to leave town this weekend for a three full days to attend a family members funeral, I leave early Thursdays and will arrive back the afternoon of Monday. I can't locate someone to watch my tank on short notice. I have never had a fish come down with ich, but I'm wondering if ich will usually show up within the first week or two of being QT'ed? I really don't think I should leave the fish in the QT tank for a couple of days without watching, but my main display is 215G with plenty of algae and stuff for him two pick on for a couple of days. I would like to add him to my main display tommorow, and that will give me 48hrs to watch him for any signs of trouble with the other fish before I leave town. I really hate this, but I'm not sure of my best choice. The tang is looking really good and is quite healthy- should I be ok with just the two weeks of QT? Appreciate any input.
Quarantine- two weeks enough?
- Thread starter yakfishin
- Start date
handapanda
New member
It's obviously up to you. I would not add it though. Personally, I would rather lose the tang than all of the livestock in your tank. And, I would not like to have to try to catch it (and your other fish) if it does have ich and you have to put them in a hospital tank.
Well, I need to guage my chances before knowing wether to roll the dice and gamble a bit. I need to know somewhat at what time a desease, mainly ich, will usually show itself. In other words, will it usually show itself within the first two weeks but there is a chance something could show up in the the week or two after? Is there just as good a chance that something shows up in the 3rd week as the 1st? Anyone have any guideline here from their own experience? If after two weeks of QT without any problems there is only a small chance something would show up, I will probably go ahead and take my chance and add to my main display- it has a food source and the has an automatic topoff.
It will probably manifest itself a few weeks from now if you put that tang into the tank (Murphey's Law, not mine!) Depending on the size of your QT, three days might be alright. If anything else, I would put a piece of the algae covered rock into the QT and give the fish something to nibble on.
PatMayo
New member
This may help you with your decision.
One of the experts in the field suggest at minimum 4 weeks.
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-10/sp/feature/index.php
Regards,
Pat
One of the experts in the field suggest at minimum 4 weeks.
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-10/sp/feature/index.php
Regards,
Pat
