Tang QT
- Thread starter solid14th
- Start date
does it have any signs of ich? did any of its tankmates look unhealthy? if not, I'd QT for 4-6 weeks with no treatment, just good food and good water. if it is healthy and eating well for the whole time, then I'd put in the DT. if I were treating with anything prophylactically, it'd be with prazipro.
MrTuskfish
Team RC
I know I'm in the big minority on this topic; but this works for me. I use copper & a de-wormer on every fish in QT and have for years. I really like SeaChem Cupramine and use their copper test kit also. SeaChem Cuprisorb does an excellent job removing the used copper. I have never had a fish with any problem that I could possibly link to the copper. Cupramine has a big range between effective and toxic and I stay on the low side. It may be over-kill, but I don't see a downside. Be sure nothing (LR, limestone, etc) that can absorb copper is used in QT. The stories of tank sealant absorbing, then releasing copper are pure myth, IMO. Before Katrina, I had at least 30 copper treatments in my QT and had a Chemist friend (and fellow hobbiest) test my QT water, there was no detectable copper; beyond what is in Instant Ocean anyhow,
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I don't think you are in the minority, MrT. This is a successful QT/fish health procedure used by lots of the more experienced/successful keepers. I think liveaquaria/Diver's Den does something similar with all their fish.
Personally, I try to avoid medicating if it doesn't seem necessary, and I keep a few fish known to be susceptible to copper. My method is to try to acclimate the fish with as little stress as possible, then evaluate, treating only if symptoms occur. I don't like to expose my fish to copper, especially since they are most likely at their most stressed (after collection, transport, import, wholesaler, distributor/LFS, to my tank). That's just my preference and my bias.
Personally, I try to avoid medicating if it doesn't seem necessary, and I keep a few fish known to be susceptible to copper. My method is to try to acclimate the fish with as little stress as possible, then evaluate, treating only if symptoms occur. I don't like to expose my fish to copper, especially since they are most likely at their most stressed (after collection, transport, import, wholesaler, distributor/LFS, to my tank). That's just my preference and my bias.
MrTuskfish
Team RC
You're right; L.A. does treat new fish this way; so do many (if not the vast majority) of wholesalers & online dealers. You're also right about susceptible fish, I should have included the info. Flame Angels, and some others don't handle copper at all.. I got the advice many years ago from a LA staff member. Dr. Marty Smith was my Vet when I lived in N. Wis until 1994; its amazing how that company has grown.
I had a chance to visit in August of 2007, really impressive place. They have done things right in a lot of ways. Diver's Den is usually my first choice.
I spent a lot of my time in Rhinelander from 1985-1990 when I was a graduate student at UW-Madison. I did much of my research there.
I spent a lot of my time in Rhinelander from 1985-1990 when I was a graduate student at UW-Madison. I did much of my research there.
MrTuskfish
Team RC
Small world, I lived in Lac du Flambeau at the time. Beautiful part of the world; but serious winter! My 2 oldest kids were born in Minocqua; about 1/2 mile from the original F&S office in Minocqua. UW- Madison is a VERY serious party school--great University too!
I thought that I read (in Coral magazine) that Tangs have gut flora to help digest all the green matter they eat, like many herbivores. And that copper may kill that beneficial flora along with the pests it is meant to kill. So that, after treatment, the fish can't digest their food properly and are thus stressed. I could be incorrect about this, though.
MrTuskfish
Team RC
I've never read that they are. I have several tangs now and all have been treated with copper in QT Somewhere, I have a list of copper-sensitive fish . I'll try to find it; but can't remember if its on this computer or the one Katrina got.
