Reasons NOT to quarantine more than one fish....

[Sk8r]

1. every fish in the lot multiplies the chance that SOMEBODY will come in with something noxious and spread the gift to everybody. It's like That Kid who gives measles to the whole first grade class.

2. your newly-cycled (we presume) sandbed is doing well to support a handful of crabs and snails. ONE fish added is a major load. Two is twice that. You can end up pushing your infant sandbed too hard too fast.

3. water resources in the typical 10-20 gallon qt tank are sparse enough, re oxygen, clean water, and bacteria able to process waste. If you are running more than one fish for any reason, be doubly watchful of those resources, and have a plan to oxygenate, do a water change, and a Prime dose ASAP. Understand that if you do get an oxygen crisis, fish will be close to the top, but are you going to be able to watch that tank at night as well? Ammonia will not announce itself: have an Ammonia Badge, test, and be very careful about this. Ammonia usually kills with about a three day lag, through damage to kidneys. It is quite sneaky.

 

[gone fishin]

Good post Sk8r. I personally find it tough to do a good observation on multiple fish. Some signs of illness are pretty subtle and multiple fish make it tough to spot.

 

[BlackTip]

Good advice, but is it practical?

If I follow the recommended QT procedure of 72 days, then it will take me at least 5 years to have my tank full of fishes. That, if everything goes perfect without a hiccup on the way.

Of course, my point would be moot, if I have 20 QT tanks or so.

 

[gone fishin]

Where do you get 72 days for QT? Mine is usually 40-47 days depending on my work schedule.

 

[BlackTip]

Where do you get 72 days for QT? Mine is usually 40-47 days depending on my work schedule.

It is the number that comes up again and again, when someone asks for how long they should QT fish.

 

[CStrickland]

Also your sanity.
New fish have their own version of murpheys law, there's always some disaster.
If you're ordering online and want free shipping you can get a weird CUC member like a chiton or abalone instead, or some coral; a low risk critter rather than another fish.

@balck - you're mixing up the fallow period for rocks that have been exposed to ich. Most people treat ich on the fish as part of qt so they don't have to allow for a full life cycle like you do if it gets into the rocks

 

[gone fishin]

I see, If just doing a purely observational QT then yes 72 days.

I usually do 12 days for TTM followed by 4-5 weeks of observation, with a couple rounds of prazi tossed in at some point. If during observation something shows up then it could be longer.

 

[homer1475]

I see, If just doing a purely observational QT then yes 72 days.

I usually do 12 days for TTM followed by 4-5 weeks of observation, with a couple rounds of prazi tossed in at some point. If during observation something shows up then it could be longer.

+1000

This is exactly how I QT now.

 

[BlackTip]

I see, If just doing a purely observational QT then yes 72 days.

I usually do 12 days for TTM followed by 4-5 weeks of observation, with a couple rounds of prazi tossed in at some point. If during observation something shows up then it could be longer.

I didn't do TTM, because I am not comfortable doing it. I don't trust myself in preventing cross contamination. So my process has been:

1 week of observation and let the fish acclimate and rest from the trip
2 weeks of paraziPro
1 week observation
1 week of ParaGuard
1 week of observation
2 weeks of cupramine
1 week of observation

I am almost done with cupramine. The observation period in between allows me to improve water quality and feed well.

 

[nuxx]

I go overboard and try to us 40 breeders.

Air pumps, hang on the back filters, powerheads pointed up, marinepure ceramic media, dose stability everyday, start tank with BioSpira, etc...

Typically do 2 larger fish or 5-6 smaller ones at a time in a 40.

 

[kmbyrnes]

I have only lost 2 fish since I switched to TTM + 4 Weeks QT. Both were non-eaters.
If you are vigilant about sterilizing your TTM equipment, you can keep the fish healthy and happy in a small tank for 2 weeks, then into a lager tank for 4 weeks observation.
It is great protection for the rest of your livestock.

 

[JMorris271]

Where do you get 72 days for QT? Mine is usually 40-47 days depending on my work schedule.

I have seen where some very respected posters here recommend that Fish not be put into a tank till 4 weeks have past post cycle to allow CuC to do their thing.. That would take you out to 75 days before you can put your first fish in.