Quarantine procedure - To medicate or not?

[Lucas815]

Hi,

I've started a new Reef a couple months ago, and i've been introducing a couple fish.

I currently have a young Foxface in my 30G QT for the past 28 days.
It's been doing very well. It looks healthy, eats like a pig and is very active.

My understanding of quarantine was this : "As long as the fish looks fine, dont medicate".

Though, I started reading more about various quarantine procedures, and I see most of the time that people will medicate the tank systematically, regardless of the state of the fish.

Normally I would have taken the foxface to the DT today, but now i'm a bit scared that there's some hidden parasite i'll be introducing to the tank along with the fish.

Do you guys medicate all the time, or only if there's some obvious issue with the fish?

Thank you.

 

[Cole.mormon]

Usually only obvious also what are rhe livestock

 

[Cole.mormon]

The

 

[MaxxuM]

If your fish has no obvious signs of disease for the last month, you're good to go IMO. There are some medications that aren't very invasive which people use in QT, but some meds can be stressful on fish and outright kill if used improperly. Personally, I just QT fish for two weeks and corals for a month. Dips for corals, no meds for fish unless they are sick.

 

[Lucas815]

Usually only obvious also what are rhe livestock

I have 2 clowns, 2 bangai Cardinals, 2 cleaner shrimps and a fire shrimp. No corals yet.

 

[Cole.mormon]

Foxface might go after shrimp

 

[Cole.mormon]

Also what id the DT size

 

[K7BMG]

I agree here.
Observation first.
If a disease becoms present then take action.

 

[BighohoReef]

I medicate no matter what, I sadly have been burned by ich and velvet before. I will say I'm overly cautious about my DT and try to avoid any and all pests coral or fish related. It sounds like you did a good amount of QT on the fish and it's doing fine, I would say if it isn't pooing white stringy , is eating well and active then you're probably okay. Normal treatment would be with cooper for the first 14 days but if things seem to be going fine I would hold off on that. You could do a methylene bath or safety stop prior to putting him into your tank if you're really concerned.

 

[Lucas815]

I medicate no matter what, I sadly have been burned by ich and velvet before. I will say I'm overly cautious about my DT and try to avoid any and all pests coral or fish related. It sounds like you did a good amount of QT on the fish and it's doing fine, I would say if it isn't pooing white stringy , is eating well and active then you're probably okay. Normal treatment would be with cooper for the first 14 days but if things seem to be going fine I would hold off on that. You could do a methylene bath or safety stop prior to putting him into your tank if you're really concerned.

At this point I can say for sure that there hasn't been any parasite visible at any point.

I saw some video about doing a freshwater dip against flukes, which seems to be hiding in the skin, but again, I didn't see any sign of discomfort or distress with the fish.

I guess I will treat myself tonight and transfer it to the DT.

I'm glad to know that medication is not mandatory after all.

Thank you.

 

[BighohoReef]

At this point I can say for sure that there hasn't been any parasite visible at any point.

I saw some video about doing a freshwater dip against flukes, which seems to be hiding in the skin, but again, I didn't see any sign of discomfort or distress with the fish.

I guess I will treat myself tonight and transfer it to the DT.

I'm glad to know that medication is not mandatory after all.

Thank you.

Post a pic! Let's see you new tank mate! I wish you and the foxface all the best!

 

[Lucas815]

Post a pic! Let's see you new tank mate! I wish you and the foxface all the best!

Here it is, in a nice and cozy Ziploc bag!
It's not having a great time right now

 

[BighohoReef]

Here it is, in a nice and cozy Ziploc bag!
It's not having a great time right now

Ya the bag life is rough LOL... I love it when they have their fins extended like that! Great looking addition!

 

[pseudorand]

Hi,

I've started a new Reef a couple months ago, and i've been introducing a couple fish.

I currently have a young Foxface in my 30G QT for the past 28 days.
It's been doing very well. It looks healthy, eats like a pig and is very active.

My understanding of quarantine was this : "As long as the fish looks fine, dont medicate".

Though, I started reading more about various quarantine procedures, and I see most of the time that people will medicate the tank systematically, regardless of the state of the fish.

Normally I would have taken the foxface to the DT today, but now i'm a bit scared that there's some hidden parasite i'll be introducing to the tank along with the fish.

Do you guys medicate all the time, or only if there's some obvious issue with the fish?

Thank you.

Medication is very much species dependent. See this guide for copper tolerance. (I have the link because I learned the hard way that wrasses don't like copper.)