Got to new fish today Question?

lewis.maryann08 · Nov 30, 2016

I got to new fish today and I have them in qt
They look to be healthy one is a fire fish and the
Other one is a Stocky Anthias do you think I should
Treat them and what would be safe for them? Or
Should I just watch them...

helen ann · Nov 30, 2016

I tend to do an observation QT ... but that requires a lot of patience.

You can view this thread on QTing new fish ... very helpful

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/how-to-quarantine.189815/

dmh41532 · Nov 30, 2016

Unless there is an issue, like ich, No. I wouldn't

lewis.maryann08 · Nov 30, 2016

They both look good breathing normal and both eatting good no sign of anything

eatbreakfast · Dec 1, 2016

Without treating, it is possible for some pathogens to slip past qt. It's much easier to treat now prophylactically, rather than later if something does pop up.

PatW · Dec 1, 2016

Most medications for fish diseases are not reef safe. Often fish that are diseased look fine. But if you put them in your display tank you could introduce a disease. Some diseases can rapidly kill most of the fish in the tank. Even if mass death is not a result, you have to catch the fish, put them in a hospital tank and treat them. Also the display tank has to sit without fish for months to allow the disease agents to perish.

So many people quarantine their fish before putting them in the display tank. There are two basic approaches. One is observation only. You observe the fish for about 6 weeks. The notion is that if there is a disease, it will become obvious in that time.

The other approach is treating the fish as if it was diseased. Generally, this involves using copper which kills most fish diseases. There is a risk to using copper. Some fish do not tolerate it well.

lewis.maryann08 · Dec 1, 2016

I do have it in QT what I was wanting to know is should I treat them if they look good?

Maritimer · Dec 1, 2016

Even if they look good, they could still be harboring ich or other diseases, without displaying obvious symptoms. Ich, velvet, and flukes are notorious for hiding inside the gills of fish, then making a sudden appearance once the new fish are added to the display.

I'd allow the new guys to get acclimated a bit, but then I'd treat prophylactically.

~Bruce