Problems with Local Fish Stores or is it a supply chain Issue ?

[SacFish]

Hello Group, I wanted to ask about some recent problems I am having with quarantining new livestock purchased at my local fish stores and I wonder if there are problems with the supply chain or just with the stores?

Let me first say that I have been at this for only two years now with a FOLR setup (75 Gal) but I have had great success with my tank. I use the tank transfer method for quarantining new fish and I always given them General Cure to remove parasites before being introduced into my display tank.

However, over the last 6 months or so, I have had had zero luck getting any new fish out of quarantine alive, with the exception of one mail order parrot fish. In total, I have lost 7 butterflyfish and one angel fish all to apparently bacterial infections that last no more than a day or two. Also, no matter what I use, API Erythromycin, FURAN II, or KanaPlex the results are always the same, death soon after the first signs of infection.

Also, just to mention it before someone asks, I always sterilize my quarantine tanks and equipment with Bleach and let them dry completely before re-use.

Just want to be sure its not me or my procedures killing all these fish!

 

[xxkenny90xx]

How long do they take to die in qt? How are you keeping the water clean?

 

[SacFish]

How long do they take to die in qt? How are you keeping the water clean?

Yes, 20 gal tanks are filtered with activated carbon unless meds are in the water. Since i am using the tank transfer method, fish are in a new tank with all new water every three days.

 

[xxkenny90xx]

I'm not sure what kinds of butterflies but they can be hard to keep alive. I would keep them in qt with no meds, a good hiding place, and lots of food for a while until they're very comfortable. Then start meds or ttm or whatever you plan to do

 

[vetteguy53081]

Not medicating defeats purpose of QT which is intended to remove any parasites, etc BEFORE going into display.
Are you acclimating fish from QT as if you just bought them when introducing to display ?
When purchasing these fish. . . are you asking to see them eat and/or are they eating in QT Tank ?

What are QT parameters and what test kits are you using ?

 

[gentlefish]

Some 10 years ago, I just dropped new fish in the display. No problems, no disease. Those days are gone. Last 4 fish I lost 3. Ick and neobenedenia. It seems to me that this problem is in the supply chain. But I did not enter the hobby to kill fish and will just stick with the current tank gang or tank raised in the future.

 

[Spare time]

I do not have much experience with tank transfer but repeatedly moving a fish from one tank to another seems that it would be extremely stressful. I know this method is well known to work but I personally would never do it.