What next?

Volsman85 · Jul 12, 2020

saltyhog said:
That looks like it could be ich. That fish is a sailfin tang and it gets very large. It is not appropriate for a 36 gallon tank.

You really have two choices. 1. remove all the fish and treat them in a QT tank, then leave your DT fishless for 72 days...or 2. try to manage the infection with good water conditions/feeding.

Thx. But a question. So, it's not a good idea to get a fish you know will outgrow one's tank thinking one can sell it back when it gets to that point? My store seems to think so but I know they sell fish. But their rep is A one. Hell, IDK. Lol

saltyhog · Jul 12, 2020

Volsman85 said:
Thx. But a question. So, it's not a good idea to get a fish you know will outgrow one's tank thinking one can sell it back when it gets to that point? My store seems to think so but I know they sell fish. But their rep is A one. Hell, IDK. Lol

That's a very good question and there is no definitive answer. My thought process is doing that can cause a lot of stress to the fish and to me it's not ethical. If you buy a fish that may thrive in your tank for a few years before needing a new home I can see the argument. In this case the fish in question will get huge and grows fast. It will "outgrow" a 36 gallon in a few months.....but actually it will not be stress free in a tank that size at any time.

As far as the LFS in question if they recommend that fish in this size tank...they've lost their A rep.

I don't know one that recommend it in a tank twice that size. LFS in general are a poor source of that kind of information in my experience unfortunately.

Wish you the best of luck and just want you to have the best chance possible of being successful. This can be a hard hobby with so much conflicting information. I can remember the confusion as a new reefer, despite my education in biology/zoology.

Volsman85 · Jul 12, 2020

saltyhog said:
That's a very good question and there is no definitive answer. My thought process is doing that can cause a lot of stress to the fish and to me it's not ethical. If you buy a fish that may thrive in your tank for a few years before needing a new home I can see the argument. In this case the fish in question will get huge and grows fast. It will "outgrow" a 36 gallon in a few months.....but actually it will not be stress free in a tank that size at any time.

As far as the LFS in question if they recommend that fish in this size tank...they've lost their A rep. I don't know one that recommend it in a tank twice that size. LFS in general are a poor source of that kind of information in my experience unfortunately.

Wish you the best of luck and just want you to have the best chance possible of being successful. This can be a hard hobby with so much conflicting information. I can remember the confusion as a new reefer, despite my education in biology/zoology.

Thanks. It's more overwhelming than I ever imagined which be exponential when/if I try coral. The conflicting info is like the COVID. IDK what to believe. I just want honest advice for the minimum that works. I'm not saying skimp or go cheap. Just the min that WORKS. Still looking for the best way to introduce new livestock.

NuclearStriker · Jul 14, 2020

NJBillyV said:
Clowns are aggressive fish and they're already established in the tank. Good luck adding anything at this point. Ideally the most aggressive fish should be added last.

What is the salinity of the water the fish are coming in? You might be shocking them by just adding to the tank.