Fish don't make it past QT.

[fluked]

If you look at it from a purely financial risk perspective your approach may make sense for a small tank like that but gets less and less attractive as you increase tank size and fish load. (Disclaimer: I don’t know the OT’s situation in this regard). If you introduced your last fish and it brought in something that wiped out the other 6 you aren’t out that much. If I add something carrying velvet to my tank and it wipes out my other 17 fish I’m down $2000-$3000 in fish. For me the risk of losing the $50-$200 fish in QT is worth it compared to the maybe lower risk of losing everything in my DT.

My dt is a 55 gallon. Im not really after expensive fish anyways, (i dont like designer clowns for example), its more that i have emotional attachment to my current fish, and would be pretty devastated if they died, id pick keeping my current clowns happy and healthy over any new fish regardless of price.

 

[fluked]

Those are all fairly quick deaths. I would sterilize the QT (upgrade to a 10g if you can) and try again. If that works, then you have a decision to make, as it could mean there is something in the DT.

You could add one quarantined fish to the DT and see what happens. If it gets sick or dies, I would consider putting the clown and Dottyback into the QT for observation and prophylactic medication and letting the tank sit fallow. Then move them back into the DT again and start fresh with a sterilized QT.

I clean the tank out each time, give it a full rinse down, then let it dry in the sun for a day (same with equipment), to make sure nothing from the old fish resched the next
I've filled the tank again, with new salt water this time, letting it sit for now, I'll look into getting a new tank, though going bigger is a struggle, as im in a tiny place, the only spot for this 5 gal is in the middle of my living room floor, but im going to look into getting a bigger tank for the qt process, but will begin cycling the smaller tank for now. As far as the current fish, id rather leave them in the dt, unless something happens that needs addressing, id rather keep them happy.

 

[fluked]

OP are you treating the fish with anything or just observing?

Initially im just observing until i see the fish eat properly and act normal
All of the fish that died hadn't had any medication yet. The 3 that lived went through prazi then methyl blue and mala green + 2 fw dips.

 

[fluked]

Most people cycle their QT tanks with bottle bacteria and keep a two way “quarantine” protocol between their DT and QT. Mixing water and filters between the two is definitely “not“ what most people do. I’m not sure where you are coming up with that, but it is not correct information.

Most people also don’t have a rash of relatively common and hardy fish species dying quickly in QT with water and filters seeded from a display tank. Either way it is a variable/protocol error that should taken out of the equation before trying again and losing more fish.

Taken the advise, starting cycle of a qt now with new salt water, and new sponge.

 

[fluked]

I’d quit quarantining.

I want to minimise any risk of my current fish if i kill nemo i think the gf will murder me.

 

[fluked]

Thanks for the tips everyone. Looks like no more seeding from the dt, and time to move the lounge to fit a bigger qt tank.

 

[DaddyFish]

Your new fish may not be sick when you bring them home, but they certainly will be when you hit them with ANY meds. Fish meds are a lot like chemotherapy where the idea is to manage killing the disease without killing the fish.

Depending on the size of fish you are placing in QT, even a 10-gal may not be large enough. I struggled with killing fish in my 10-gal QT and finally gave up when I had a 6" Niger Trigger go from perfectly healthy to hiding behind the heater and starved himself to death. If you can muster the space, I would get a 20-gal for saltwater QT. Keep the 5-gal for a dip tank.

Be sure the new QT is placed away from bright light, frequent people traffic and temperature swings. Definitely cover/paint the back and sides, natural room light works great, supplemental aeration and a HOB filter that allows you to easily change media/foam/poly.

Saltwater fish in QT receiving meds are stressed, oxygen deprived, sensitive to light and noise, may have poor appetites, a long list of challenges until they get past the meds and back to regular clean water. Think of your saltwater QT as a human Intensive Care room where cleanliness, oxygen, rest and proper nutrition are paramount to recovery.

 

[fluked]

Your new fish may not be sick when you bring them home, but they certainly will be when you hit them with ANY meds. Fish meds are a lot like chemotherapy where the idea is to manage killing the disease without killing the fish.

Depending on the size of fish you are placing in QT, even a 10-gal may not be large enough. I struggled with killing fish in my 10-gal QT and finally gave up when I had a 6" Niger Trigger go from perfectly healthy to hiding behind the heater and starved himself to death. If you can muster the space, I would get a 20-gal for saltwater QT. Keep the 5-gal for a dip tank.

Be sure the new QT is placed away from bright light, frequent people traffic and temperature swings. Definitely cover/paint the back and sides, natural room light works great, supplemental aeration and a HOB filter that allows you to easily change media/foam/poly.

Saltwater fish in QT receiving meds are stressed, oxygen deprived, sensitive to light and noise, may have poor appetites, a long list of challenges until they get past the meds and back to regular clean water. Think of your saltwater QT as a human Intensive Care room where cleanliness, oxygen, rest and proper nutrition are paramount to recovery.

So far none of the fish that had died got any meds, besides the clown that had brook, but that was too little too late sadly. The tank comes with a background, and i basically surround the tank in my water change buckets so they can calm down. I use an internal filter, then when i start meds i add an air pump/stone. Also, the goby i had that died was a clown goby, which bio load wise would be fine in a 5 gallon anyways. Starting to just think salt water fish are weak, maybe ill just add a bunch of molles lol

 

[fluked]

So an update for anyone interested. Ive upped from the 5 gal tank to a 71L bin, probably filled with around 50L of water, whats the 13 or so gallons?
My lfs was awesome and replaced the wrasse. The new guy is a little bigger, but is eating really well, so im hopeful!