Buying fish already quarantined over the internet question

[Glenn503]

If I buy fish over the internet that were quarantined before they ship to you, would I still need to put them in my own qurantine tank for a few weeks before placing them in my DT?
I would appreciate advice.

 

[HiddenUser]

Yes, you should put them into your own QT regardless of them having been 'quarantined' elsewhere.

Per LiveAquaria --

Fish kept in quarantine are usually newly acquired fish. However, quarantine tanks can also be used to house any particular fish of interest and keep them under careful observation. Quarantine tanks allow hobbyists to perform thorough physical and behavioral examinations. Detailed visual examination of coloration, fin development, and eye clarity offers great insight into the general health of the fish. Careful examination over an extended period also allows hobbyists to detect any potential parasites or disease symptoms.

During quarantine, hobbyists can also monitor feeding behavior to make sure new arrivals are eating and are accepting prepared foods. More importantly, this observation period allows new arrivals to acclimate and recover from the stress of transport. These cautionary steps ensure optimum health of new fish and the prevention of potential illness in the main aquarium. A minimum quarantine period of at least two to three weeks is recommended for new arrivals.

 

[Glenn503]

Thanks for the quick reply, I guess there is no cuttiing corners in this hobby.

 

[HiddenUser]

Thanks for the quick reply, I guess there is no cuttiing corners in this hobby.

Patience is key.

 

[Aquaph8]

Absolutely, great vendors go the extra mile but they arent perfect. If you have a vendor that cares enough to hold on to them for a bit then it's s great head start but having your own QT process and sticking to it is so much more important.

 

[joekidwell]

No such thing as already quarantined unless it's in your qt.

 

[stunreefer Verified Sponsor]

I guess there is no cuttiing corners in this hobby.

No need to guess, that's a fact

No such thing as already quarantined unless it's in your qt.

This could be elaborated on... especially concerning conditioning fish. Many newly imported fish will only accept live foods, and good vendors will take the time and patience necessary to ween fishes onto easily offered and purchased prepared frozen, and sometimes, dry foods. Aforementioned good vendors will (read: should) also hold fishes long enough to determine if fish is carrying any ailments, and can treat for them beforehand. Conditioning fish and acclimating to captivity will drastically improve hobbyists chances of keeping fish long-term, and the time put into fish is directly seen in cost of fishes. There's a reason a yellow tang can be found ranging from $20-60... go for the $60 from reputable, non-price-gouging, vendors.

With that said your point still holds true, and no one should skip QT :thumb: A shipped fish is a stressed fish, and throwing it into your display tank and hoping for the best is not good for anyone/anyfish.

 

[Glenn503]

Thanks for all the input, I will quarantine ALL fish before putting them in the DT.
So, the same should go for any coral purchased also, even though I dip them I would need to put them in a QT tank also for the same two or three weeks?

 

[Small triggers]

i think a seperate qt for fish and corals is a good idea...
corals can easily be done in a 5g or 10g system ...dips usually get off most of the bad critters...but alot of times algae that you cant see and dont want are on a plug..
and of course even fish that were thoroughly qt'd before shipping can shows signs of stress or other possible hidden things so qt'ing is best to get them comfortable before throwing them into a new enviornment....

 

[Reefer831]

No need to guess, that's a fact

This could be elaborated on... especially concerning conditioning fish. Many newly imported fish will only accept live foods, and good vendors will take the time and patience necessary to ween fishes onto easily offered and purchased prepared frozen, and sometimes, dry foods. Aforementioned good vendors will (read: should) also hold fishes long enough to determine if fish is carrying any ailments, and can treat for them beforehand. Conditioning fish and acclimating to captivity will drastically improve hobbyists chances of keeping fish long-term, and the time put into fish is directly seen in cost of fishes. There's a reason a yellow tang can be found ranging from $20-60... go for the $60 from reputable, non-price-gouging, vendors.

With that said your point still holds true, and no one should skip QT :thumb: A shipped fish is a stressed fish, and throwing it into your display tank and hoping for the best is not good for anyone/anyfish.

Well said!