Sailfin Tang

[Daddeo]

I purchased, rather rescued, a sailfin tang from Petco a week and a half ago. I know, Petco fish usually come loaded with ICH and god knows what else but I couldn't pass up the price! In the store he looked good but had some ragged edges on his dorsal fin. Put him in the QT tank for a few days for observation and now in my DT he's eating like a cow! Additionally he looks a 100% better now, I like it better than a yellow tang and much more pleasing to the eye IMO. The wife still wants a yellow tang but i think as this one matures she'll change her mind .

The picture was taken with my phone under actinics so its not the best. I'll try to get one with my canon sometime this weekend.

 

[snorvich]

FYI, a couple of days in quarantine has no real effect on prevention of parasites.

 

[MrTuskfish]

Any fish, from any source, should be in a QT for at least 6 weeks. A few days isn't enough to do much of anything. parasites, like ich, can easily stay hidden much longer. If this fish had just one ich (or deadlier) parasite; you've given it to all the fish in your DT.

 

[Daddeo]

I'm aware of the potential risks and have in place the necessary facilities to take care of such a problem. My QT was not nearly big enough to house the sailfin for any length of time properly as it's only 20 gallons. Going to pickup my new QT tank which is 55 gallons next weekend. I appreciate the concern though .

Edit: I just wanted to add that normally I do not purchase any livestock from Petco due to their severely lacking husbandry practices. This little guy just looked so sad in his tiny glass box I couldn't pass him up plus the $5 price tag helped!

 

[Daniel Reef]

I'm aware of the potential risks and have in place the necessary facilities to take care of such a problem. My QT was not nearly big enough to house the sailfin for any length of time properly as it's only 20 gallons. Going to pickup my new QT tank which is 55 gallons next weekend. I appreciate the concern though .

Edit: I just wanted to add that normally I do not purchase any livestock from Petco due to their severely lacking husbandry practices. This little guy just looked so sad in his tiny glass box I couldn't pass him up plus the $5 price tag helped!

I am interested to know what facilities you have in place for an outbreak of ich in your DT.

 

[Daddeo]

Right off the cuff I have two 10 gallon tanks ready and a 45 gallon drum that can be made ready fairly quickly if needed. I use the drum for things like copper treatment as I would rather not have copper in the silicone of my two 10's. I currently use them for observation and QT for fish/inverts. Not saying what I do is bullet proof but so far things have worked out quite well.

 

[MrTuskfish]

Silicone won't absorb copper, that's a myth that just won't die. Scroll down the FAQ:http://www.seachem.com/Products/product_pages/Cupramine.html

 

[Dr Colliebreath]

$5 is a pretty good price for a sailfin. It likely will outgrow your 120. Sounds like your wife will be getting a bigger tank rather than a yellow tang.

 

[Daddeo]

True since they can get up to 14"-15"! The wife is happy with the 120 but it is I that is planning out a 265 or 280 .