Straight to Tank or Quarantine?

[120gallonFOWLR]

Hey. Was just wondering if there were any benefits of adding a new fish straight to the display instead of keeping it in quarantine. Would the fish be more stressed in quarantine or is it stressed out anyway? there's no live rock in my qt so tangs dont have too much to pick at. Also, my qt is a little small for the fish im getting for my display tank. What are some of your experiences with adding fish straight to the display?
Thanks

 

[lagatbezan]

I would definitely qt before adding any fish to the DT. You can observe the fish and make sure that it's healthy before you add it to your main tank. It takes one infected fish to introduce a parasite to your main tank and cause all kinds of headache and problems. I think qt keeps the stress down and allows the fish to adjust and get nice and fat before being added to the main tank. I think it's okay that ur qt is small bc it's temporarily. And no worries about live rock being in there. There us no need for it. Just feed the tangs lots of nori and they will be fine. Just my opinion.

 

[thelostrican]

Qt all the way..

 

[snorvich]

Qt all the way..

I agree. But not JUST because of parasites and other problems, it also gives the fish a chance to adjust and gain strength without having to compete with other fish.

 

[JaneG]

After losing my entire tank to a nasty bacterial infection from not QTing, I can guarantee that QT is the only way to go. :headwally:

 

[MrTuskfish]

IMO, nothing you do is more important for long-term success in this hobby than using a QT on everything. I've never read a book, magazine article, instructions from dealers who guarantee their fish, etc., that doesn't strongly suggest QT for everything. At any given time, this disease section of the forum will have posts from hobbyists who have had a serious loss and now wish they used a QT. (Here's an active from an excellent hobbyist: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2043757) There are simple answers to all your objections. Tangs can do just fine for a while on nori & other greens. A small tank, short term is no big deal. You can also get a bigger one for less than the price of the average fish. A QT is not a stressful place at all; its quiet & fish can learn to eat in captivity without bullies or competition. IMO, there isn't even an argument for not always using a QT. Here's a very basic piece from LA, IMO, the most responsible fish retailer in the industry. http://www.liveaquaria.com/pic/article.cfm?aid=205

 

[jhentr]

QT for at least a month to observe and treat if necessary.