- Location
- New Jersey
New to reefing? Just stocking my tank with fish and was wondering how do you test for parasites and any other harm full things that could affect livestock and corals? Thanks for any input and help.
How do I to test my tank for parasites?
- Thread starter Skaters216
- Start date
- Location
- Greenwich, CT
how long has the tank been running? Is it cycled yet? Are you putting your new fish in quarantine etc? Also wondering if youre asking because you are seeing problems or just as precaution?
Last edited by a moderator:
- Location
- New Jersey
Tank has been running for about 2 1/2 months and is has cycled out and i added a couple of clown fish. was just asking for precation
You can dip the fish in safety stop or even freshwater, take some water samples after the dip and throw in under a microscope. A few scale samples will be good to look at too. It will be hard to obtain from clown fish.
If you see your clown fish rubbing up against things it has something on it. Even if you can't see it. If you are worried about parasites and have no inverts in the tank drop the salinity for a while.
If you see your clown fish rubbing up against things it has something on it. Even if you can't see it. If you are worried about parasites and have no inverts in the tank drop the salinity for a while.
- Location
- New Jersey
ok thanks for the tip, appreciate all input
Your question was in regards to testing your fish for parasites.
From a home aquarium perspective you can't really test the fish for parasites.
If your question is with the goal of not introducing parasites to your aquarium the only proactive thing that you can do is to keep your new fish in what is called a quarantine tank. Learn how to setup a quarantine tank properly and leave the new fish in quarantine for 6 weeks.
6 weeks should be enough time to see evidence of almost any parasite.
If you already believe you have parasites than use the internet to identify it by comparing recorded images against what your fish exhibits.
From a home aquarium perspective you can't really test the fish for parasites.
If your question is with the goal of not introducing parasites to your aquarium the only proactive thing that you can do is to keep your new fish in what is called a quarantine tank. Learn how to setup a quarantine tank properly and leave the new fish in quarantine for 6 weeks.
6 weeks should be enough time to see evidence of almost any parasite.
If you already believe you have parasites than use the internet to identify it by comparing recorded images against what your fish exhibits.
I am having a possible similar situation to this.
I have a new tank, I just cycled in. It's about 2 months going on +plus 1 week.
I also just introduced a clownfish into my tank. It's been in it's new home now for a little more than a week.
Anyway I thought I noticed a few slight discolorations in it's red body coat? I am pretty sure I am seeing this right, but I am not sure if that is just normal for clownfish to not have a perfect red coat, or could be something else.
I am using all RO/DI water. Besides the clownfish there are a few invertebrates that have been in the tank just a bit longer than this clownfish. Say about 2 weeks more than the clownfish.
I have a 20 gallon L with about 18 lbs of cured live rock. The aquarium temperature is 82 degrees and has been roughly this value for over a week now if not more.
I also have one canister filter Hob filter (meant for a 30 gallon tank), a powerhead, 500gph and a bubble wall emitting air bubbles.
Anyway not sure then what might have caused a possible parasite infection. Again I'm not even sure if it really has one at this point.
However I've been noticing strange behavior from my clownfish. So far it has been swimming when I put the aquarium light on, and seems now to get up around 10pm and swim around the tank over and over again until 8am.
Anyway, I have noticed it as it swims toward the left side of the aquarium, it like hangs out there for a bit, moving around and looking through the glass.
Two possible reasons for this popped in my head?
1. It thinks it sees another clownfish (itself through the glass) and is trying to play with it a bit?
2. It is actually trying to rub against the glass for some reason?
Yet if this was the case I would expect this behavior wherever it swims along the glass, but it is just doing this "catch me if you can" strokes on the left side of the aquarium glass?
I have a new tank, I just cycled in. It's about 2 months going on +plus 1 week.
I also just introduced a clownfish into my tank. It's been in it's new home now for a little more than a week.
Anyway I thought I noticed a few slight discolorations in it's red body coat? I am pretty sure I am seeing this right, but I am not sure if that is just normal for clownfish to not have a perfect red coat, or could be something else.
I am using all RO/DI water. Besides the clownfish there are a few invertebrates that have been in the tank just a bit longer than this clownfish. Say about 2 weeks more than the clownfish.
I have a 20 gallon L with about 18 lbs of cured live rock. The aquarium temperature is 82 degrees and has been roughly this value for over a week now if not more.
I also have one canister filter Hob filter (meant for a 30 gallon tank), a powerhead, 500gph and a bubble wall emitting air bubbles.
Anyway not sure then what might have caused a possible parasite infection. Again I'm not even sure if it really has one at this point.
However I've been noticing strange behavior from my clownfish. So far it has been swimming when I put the aquarium light on, and seems now to get up around 10pm and swim around the tank over and over again until 8am.
Anyway, I have noticed it as it swims toward the left side of the aquarium, it like hangs out there for a bit, moving around and looking through the glass.
Two possible reasons for this popped in my head?
1. It thinks it sees another clownfish (itself through the glass) and is trying to play with it a bit?
2. It is actually trying to rub against the glass for some reason?
Yet if this was the case I would expect this behavior wherever it swims along the glass, but it is just doing this "catch me if you can" strokes on the left side of the aquarium glass?
- Location
- New Jersey
Is there any links on MR on how to set up a quarantine tank? Thanks
- Location
- New Jersey
And is it a lot of work? Quarantine tank?
It's easy. Tank, saltwater, filter, heater. you need i Ican use a hob, sponge or a powerhead/air stone and media in the tank.
It's easy. Just look at it as setting up a simple tank. You need a tank, saltwater, filter and heater(if needed). For filtration I use a small powerhead and a bunch of macro from my fuge. This provides suface area for bacteria, nutrient export, shelter for the fish and organisms for the fish to eat.
I don't use copper anymore. If you go that route do your research. Instead I run my tank in hyposalinity at 1.009.
It is optional but you should concider dosing prazi. It is very safe and only has to be dosed once. 2 treatments will be better. It is used to treat internal parasites.
It's easy. Just look at it as setting up a simple tank. You need a tank, saltwater, filter and heater(if needed). For filtration I use a small powerhead and a bunch of macro from my fuge. This provides suface area for bacteria, nutrient export, shelter for the fish and organisms for the fish to eat.
I don't use copper anymore. If you go that route do your research. Instead I run my tank in hyposalinity at 1.009.
It is optional but you should concider dosing prazi. It is very safe and only has to be dosed once. 2 treatments will be better. It is used to treat internal parasites.
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