QT - FW molllies

[Voltaire81]

I know i know. Why in a reef tank?

My tank is currently sitting fallow and fish are in treatment. Now, prior to moving all my fish back to DT, im planning to add black mollies first in case the disease (either velvet or Ich) that was in my tank is still present ( i read this a few weeks back on here but cant find the thread).

My question is should I treat black mollies for Ich or Velvet? Presumably, if they have been living in freshwater, those diseases would not be present? Also, FW ich wouldnt survive in SW, right?

Im assuming that I should only observe for 4-6 weeks in a QT in case they have bacterial or other infections?

 

[melypr1985]

You can certainly use mollies to see if your DT is clear of parasites. The idea being that they have never been exposed to these parasites before and would have no natural defense against them- this would mean that if it's present in your tank, then it will show up on the black mollies pretty quickly.

This only works if your using freshwater mollies and transferring them over to salt yourself. Because if it's done for you, they could have already been exposed to sw parasites and ruin the experiment. You can spend the time you take to switch them over to salt to also observe for any other issues.... like the ones you mentioned. I dont think you'll need 4-6 weeks to spot anything that you need to address.

 

[Voltaire81]

Thanks @melypr1985. Yep, im planning to acclimate them to salt myself.

I saw a video yesterday from R2R that they need about 4-6 hours of acclimation.

How long do you think I need prior to adding them to DT? 2 weeks sufficient?

 

[melypr1985]

Thanks @melypr1985. Yep, im planning to acclimate them to salt myself.

I saw a video yesterday from R2R that they need about 4-6 hours of acclimation.

How long do you think I need prior to adding them to DT? 2 weeks sufficient?

If your being exceptionally careful a week or so would be fine I think. If they have any problems, the saltwater will kill parasites from freshwater and the stress of being switched over should make any other problems surface quick enough. I dont think you plan on keeping them forever, so they wont be a permanent resident. Anything happens, just scoop 'em out and continue with the fallow period.

 

[Humblefish]

Good article on this subject: http://hubpages.com/animals/Keeping-Breeding-and-Raising-Saltwater-Mollies

 

[Voltaire81]

If your being exceptionally careful a week or so would be fine I think. If they have any problems, the saltwater will kill parasites from freshwater and the stress of being switched over should make any other problems surface quick enough. I dont think you plan on keeping them forever, so they wont be a permanent resident. Anything happens, just scoop 'em out and continue with the fallow period.

Im actually planning to keep them in the tank. They will get added in the DT after my fallow period is done. Its a 225g tank and would rather not try to catch them after including. Also, I figured they could help as cleanup crew.

Thanks for the article @Humblefish.

 

[Lionfish Lair]

Huh! I hadn't thought about trying that!

 

[Toadfish]

That's a really good thought! I'll have to remember that.

 

[Eienna]

I have a few mollies in SW as well. They definitely scavenge, including algae

FW and SW ich are two different organisms, and no, they will not transfer. Velvet, however, might....not sure. Most parasites and I'd say bacterial and fungal diseases won't survive the switch to SW. I'd still QT for the standard 30 days just in case, personally.

I slooowly drip-acclimated them overnight, straight out of the bags. Try to avoid individuals who are obviously pregnant, as they appear not to make the switch well during advanced pregnancy.

 

[Humblefish]

Just like ich, FW velvet (Piscinoodinium pillulare) is a completely different disease from SW velvet (Amyloodinium ocellatum). The vast majority of FW & SW diseases are eradicated once introduced to the opposite environment, so converting a FW molly to SW without QT is a pretty safe bet. Even better, a FW molly will have no immunity to SW diseases once converted over ... making a slow swimming black molly the perfect "canary fish" to test out a DT for diseases. To ensure a fallow period has been successful, for example.