Question on QTing / pre-treatment of fish

[ezcompany]

I figured who better to ask than the doctors,

What are the necessary treatments / pre-treatments / medications done to new sensitive fish?

I have been thinking of using the following products, but feel it to be a little excessive? Could you possibly tell me which ones are recommended and which ones overlap each other? Thank you so much!

Aquarium Pharmaceuticals General Cure (powder tablets)
Treats a wide variety of parasitic diseases including velvet, anchor worm, fish lice, hole-in-the-head disease (Hexamita spp. & Spironucleus spp.), gill & skin flukes (Dactylogyrus spp. & Gyrodactylus spp.)

Warner Marine Research ReefPure AcclimMAX
ReefPure AcclimMAX performs several functions:
Reduces levels of toxic Ammonia
Buffers the transport water
Adds electrolytes and probiotics
Assists in reduction of stress hormones and metabolic waste
Promotes release of Carbon Dioxide to increase Oxygen Level
Bolsters the immune system for longterm health

Seachem Focus
Focus â"žÂ¢ is an antibacterial polymer for internal infections of fish. It may be used alone or mixed with other medications to make them palatable to fish and greatly reduce the loss of medications to the water through diffusion. It can deliver any medication internally by binding the medication to its polymer structure. The advantage is that the fish can be medicated without contaminating the entire aquarium with medication. Fish find Focusâ"žÂ¢ appetizing and it may be fed to fish directly or mixed with frozen foods. Focusâ"žÂ¢ contains nitrofurantoin for internal bacterial infections. Marine and freshwater use.

Seachem AquaZole (Metronidazole)
AquaZole â"žÂ¢ is a metronidazole-based medication for both freshwater and marine fish. It is effective against Cryptocaryon, Hexamita, Ichthyophthirius and other external parasites. There is little danger of overdosing with AquaZoleâ"žÂ¢. It can be substituted for metronidazole.

Kordon Formalin•3® Treatment and Dip
A convenient, pre-diluted form of formalin (37% formaldehyde solution)
An effective medication for the treatment and control of the diseases caused by
Fungi
Protozoans
Monogenetic trematodes

 

[ezcompany]

meant to post this on the supplies page...I'm sorry mods

 

[dfs/la2]

Ezcompany,

Thank you for your excellent question. When acclimating a new specimen, it is normally recommended to keep them in a quarantine tank for at least 2-3 weeks for observation of any signs of disease before adding to the display aquarium. In most cases, treatments should only be administered at the sign of disease. The exact medications necessary will depend on the exact illness and specimen affected. Using medications on healthy fish with no disease symptoms is not normally suggested, as it may weaken their immune systems as well as reduce the fish’s resistance to the medication.

You are able to use the products you have listed in a quarantine system if the symptoms warrant their use. Using the hospital tank will keep all medications from affecting the livestock in your main display aquarium.

Mike S.
LiveAquaria
Drs. Foster and Smith

 

[ezcompany]

Hi Mike, thank you for your answer.
I'm sorry I didn't mention that this is being done in a QT tank, I would never dose any medications in my display.
I also didn't mention that the fish aren't sick, I'm trying to do a safe pre treatment, as vets vaccinate dogs, to ensure their long term health in my display.

 

[dfs/la2]

Ezcompany,

Our Aquaculture Coral & Marine Life Facility uses specific medications for disease prevention. As a disease preventative, certain types of Angelfish, Tangs, Wrasse, and several other sensitive species known to be susceptible to parasitic infection are normally given saltwater baths with medications such as Praziquantel to help eliminate flukes, protozoan, and parasites. In addition to the baths, all quarantined fish at our facility are treated with copper sulfate and a 37% formaldehyde solution (Formalin) to combat Amyloodinium ocellatum and Cryptocaryon irritans.

Pre-treating beyond this is not typically recommended, as it may cause unnecessary stress to the specimen, as well as affect their overall health. Additional medications should only be used in quarantine when signs of disease are present. For further information on properly quarantining new arrivals, you may wish to check out the procedures we use at our Aquaculture Coral & Marine Life Facility.

Mike S.
LiveAquaria
Drs. Foster and Smith

 

[Maximus]

Do your fish at the Collectors corner receive the same quarantine treatments as the fish on the Divers Den? I ask because I am going to be ordering a Powder Blue tang soon and was wondering if they go through the same rigorous treatments as the fish at the Divers Den.

 

[dfs/la2]

Maximus,

We apologize for the delay. We are currently checking with our Aquacultured Coral and Marine Life Facility and will have an answer for you shortly.

Tina C.
LiveAquaria
Drs. Foster and Smith

 

[dfs/la2]

Maximus,

Thank you for your patience. We have specially trained technicians who examine the Collector’s Corner fish for any sign of illness or disease. The fish and invertebrates are acclimated in a temperature-controlled room illuminated under red lighting to not shock these animals when the boxes are opened. Fish are cut from their shipping bags and placed in polyethylene totes with shipping water. Brand new seawater of the same temperature is adjusted to a low pH to match the new shipment and this is then dripped into the totes. Water is exchanged with low pH water so that the fish will not be exposed to lethal ammonia levels that can burn their gills during acclimation. Once the inbound fish are in this low pH solution they are then acclimated to the main fish systems where they will reside after acclimation. Fish are then transferred to the holding system and covered with a tarp until they are breathing normally.

Fish are held at the aquatic center for an unspecified time, which will vary depending on the species, origin and transit time. Fish that show any sign of damage or disease are transferred off the floor into a dedicated treatment system so that antibiotics can be administered to combat their specific ailment. Once the fish are healed they are then transferred back onto the floor and are offered for sale when they are eating properly and exhibiting normal behavior. They then can be screened, and selected for shipment and pack out.

Tina
LiveAquaria
Drs. Foster and Smith

 

[eric's reef]

How well do the regular shipments of lyretail anthias squamipinnis come in? Could these be put directly into the tank or would these need to dewormed first? Thanks Eric

 

[nctangman]

dfs,
so if I am qt'ing a emperor angelfish and there is no sign of disease, is there any reason to use this product:

Seachem AquaZole (Metronidazole)

thanks
kirk

 

[dfs/la2]

eric’s reef,

We always recommend using a quarantine setup no matter where you purchase your fish from. This not only protects your main aquarium from potential diseases, but it also allows the new specimen time to get over the stress of shipping.


nctangman,

We do not recommend treating beyond what we have listed as our standard quarantine procedures above. Medicating a fish when it is not needed could make them more resistant to the medication if they are actually sick in the future.


Tina
LiveAquaria
Drs. Foster and Smith