ShelbyJK's QT Build & Fish Journey

[ShelbyJK500]

QT / Fish Journey!

This will be my ongoing QT/Fish thread, though it will slow down once stocked, in theory at least. This will hopefully also aid others down the road (searching) or at least promote the topic of Quarantining.

First things first...equipment setup. Since I'm being ambitious and doing a mixed angel FOWLR along with the reef, I needed several QT tanks to aid in keeping the Angels separated while in confined quarters.

29g Starter Kits

Can't go without this in the basement...WAY too tired of running up the stairs to clean anything let alone wash my hands.

 

[ShelbyJK500]

Fish Additions!

Fish Additions!

A couple of weeks ago I started out with a Blueface Angel and an Achilles Tang.

Unfortunately, I lost the Achilles within 36 hours. Not sure what happened to the guy, he ate like a pig and looked like he had overcome the Ich issue from the previous owner.

 

[ShelbyJK500]

The Blueface turned into a battle which I ended up losing. It started with some "cyst/wart" looking issues on his gills. Many believed to be Lymphocystis, and it may very well have been.

However, he developed a severe case of flashing/scratching, and I realized too late he had Marine Velvet (Amyloodinium ocellatum). Gone within 36 hours.

These photos were taken after a freshwater dip and a good amount of the "velvet" had shed off, leaving it blotchy looking. He was covered completely prior to the dip. Copper did not help the issue once I realized what he had and initiated treatment.

 

[ShelbyJK500]

I was lucky enough to find a replacement a week later for the Blueface, and added a Flame Angel to the mix!

The flame developed a serious case of Ich quickly. I started copper and began working on siphoning daily to try and get the trophonts out of the tank. The last time I siphoned he was bleached white and laying down on the bottom of the tank. I gave it til morning, and though still completely bleached he wasn't laying down and not interested in eating. That night, completely new fish...color back and ferocious appetite. Copper must work miracles with Ich. If he hangs on for the duration, his name is definitely "Lucky".

 

[ShelbyJK500]

A week later, I stumbled across a Moorish Idol at an LFS. These guys have been impossible to get for "retail" buyers from the usual sources (DD/LA, etc). I was shocked they had one. I asked to see it eat as that is typically the main hurdle with these sensitive fish. Ate like it was it's last meal! Got her home, still has a great appetite! Truly awesome fish, quickly turning into one of my favorites in the hobby.

 

[ShelbyJK500]

FedEx came this afternoon bearing Springtime gifts!!

On order; Majestic/Navarchus Angel, Cream/Xanthurus Angel, Red Mandarin and a female Leopard Wrasse!! Unfortunately, the wrasse was DOA. The rest acclimated and seem to be eating, though not ferociously yet. The Cream Angel is even getting along with the MI so far. Actually, the MI seems to be the bossy one, just a touch.

Majestic

Cream

Cream & Moorish Idol

No pics of the mandy yet, she is in the make-shift frag tank for QT. That tank is overrun with pods, and won't see any other fish.

 

[Haddonisreef]

I'd say the manderine could skip qt, they have a pretty thick slim coat! Love the angels and the mi! Good luck w all them!!

 

[cdrewferd]

Awesome looking fish. Good luck with all of them.


Drew

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[ShelbyJK500]

Thanks fellas! Yeah, I was going to mention that about the mandy. That is why I didn't really mind putting it in the frag tank right away. My lady loves the MI, was wondering why she never saw it when we were planning our stocking list. (me too)

 

[ShelbyJK500]

Man, another bummer of a day. Lost the Moorish out of nowhere. I noticed the MI wasn't eating AS MUCH after I put the cream angel in, notably the Elite feast, compared to when he was in there alone. He was not getting picked on...no aggression in the tank. He was eating some of the Elite feast but was definitely eating mysis. Eating twice a day with a lot of food, almost felt like I was overfeeding. I stuck to the "as much as they can eat in 5 minutes rule"...which was a lot.

Before work, I noticed about 5 of my large nassarius snails huddled around my mandarin in the frag tank. Then I noticed they were on his tail. Moved them out of the way...THE TAIL WAS EATEN AWAY! WTH Seriously, I couldn't believe they were eating him alive. He seemed fine other than that?!? I took him out and put him in the fuge to my displays, tons of pods and no CUC or anything else. Dead when I got home. Craziness I tell you!

 

[Bajamike]

Man you are having a tuff time. I feel for you It sucks to lose fish. Hang in there.

 

[Dbarnes]

+1 I feel for ya man, that's a bummer for sure! Honestly I went through the same issues and found alot of my loss was from copper, its hard on fish especially dwarf angles. I started using a type of organic ich treatment that has been working far better than copper for me. U got any tangs? Ill sell you a sohal that would go great with that tank!

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[cdrewferd]

Evan, sucks to hear man. How are the other angels doing? Hope you start having better success and can add these guys to your displays soon.

 

[ShelbyJK500]

Man you are having a tuff time. I feel for you It sucks to lose fish. Hang in there.

Definitely sucking, thank for the support...starting to need it.

+1 I feel for ya man, that's a bummer for sure! Honestly I went through the same issues and found alot of my loss was from copper, its hard on fish especially dwarf angles. I started using a type of organic ich treatment that has been working far better than copper for me. U got any tangs? Ill sell you a sohal that would go great with that tank!

Then you definitely know my pain. What is the organic ich treatment you use? So far I've crept up the level of copper with the flame and blueface...the flame seems to be doing it's same great self now?!? I was worried about continuing to slowly creep up the copper level.

I have tangs in my reef display. None for the FOWLR yet. I am planning on putting all the angels in the tank first, at the same time. (Best plan from ALL the research i've done) Then I hope to add an Achilles and possibly a Sailfin. Sohal's have been described as a pretty aggressive tang from pretty much everything I've read and from everyone I've talked to. What's been your experience? I think I'd be worried about a Sohal and an Achilles in the same tank?!?

 

[ShelbyJK500]

Evan, sucks to hear man. How are the other angels doing? Hope you start having better success and can add these guys to your displays soon.

The Cream, Blueface and Flame angels are doing great. The Cream seems to be doing especially well. Eating like a lion and no signs of any issues. The Majestic is giving me a little concern. Not eating great. I need live brine...went to get it from the only place I know that sells it and they wouldn't sell me any (said they needed it for their fish). Anyhow, hopefully I can find some this weekend. He's my biggest fish so I know he should be eating much more than the picking he's doing. It could be due to copper as well though. I probably made the mistake of starting copper sooner than getting him eating.

I hope I can get something in the display soon too!! With the ich treatment though, I'm still AT LEAST a month out at the earliest. Thanks for the support though!! I'm starting to think coral husbandry is easier.

 

[ShelbyJK500]

So I jinxed myself in the last post apparently. My Cream Angel has gone from the most healthy, no signs of issues and eating everything, to not eating and breathing rapidly.

I may have caused this dilemna. A fish whisperer I am not, apparently! So I should have left good enough alone. I found yet one more Moorish Idol last week at Keys Island. Again, shocked to see this fish in another LFS. They had him for over two weeks and he was eating great. So I decided to take one last roll of the dice and got him on Saturday. If I am unsuccessful, then I'll wait a good while until everything is completely established and maybe get another. FINGERS CROSSED!!

So, using logic, I put him in QT with the Cream Angel, where the last Moorish Idol was without any issues. Almost immediately, nipping. The Angel wasn't having it. So I put in an egg crate divider as I have no more QT tanks. Both fish seemed highly stressed for the next 24 hours. The Cream stopped eating completely and the MI wasn't eating either. I took an even worse roll of the dice and decided to put the MI in the Display.

I know, I know...I'm praying there aren't any issues not seen during Key's QT. I'm planning on separating my systems but they are still connected at the moment, so I may have dropped a bomb into my displays, only time will tell now. I figure WORSE case scenario...I'll separate the tanks and have to take all the fish out of the reef tank for 10 weeks and put them in the QT tanks after the Angels have gone into the FOWLR display.

The Cream seems to be doing better now that he has the QT tank to himself again but is still breathing as though stressed. Hopefully it subsides. Water change was done and all the levels were checked before and after the MI was removed. The MI seems to be loving the swimming room in the display, but not sure on eating yet. MAN THIS STUFF STRESSES ME OUT. :wall:

 

[newtoreef]

Damn man sorry to hear it. I guess I'm lucky I have 7 fish and no qt so far so good the only one that worrys me is my foxface but I read they change colors when they get ****ed off or sleepy lol wish the best for ya btw got all my fish from Nick Ambrosio great Guy only the fox face is from LA lol

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[cdrewferd]

Glad you got another MI. Maybe it'll do better with the swimming room in the DT.


Drew

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[tlsrcs]

i may have a 50g you can borrow for a QT tank if need be.

 

[cdrewferd]

Yea, I have a 35 long and a 20 tall. Would work for the smaller fish.