Quarantine First Fish?

[GBryant890]

Is it necessary to quarantine the first fish I get? The only reason I can think to quarantine would be to make it easier to see if problems occur. Are there any other reasons to quarantine it? Or can I just save the fish some stress and acclimate the fish in the main tank.

 

[Anonymous]

As long as you can catch the first fish easily, you can go without Q-ing if you can be sure that it does not release pathogen into the rest of the tank and become dormant until the next fish is introduced.

In otherword, it is very hard to do and therefor safer to Q it like usual in a separate container.

 

[Len]

In case no one has already .....

I'd still quarantine it because if the fish is harboring disease, it's best to find out about it and eradicate the diesase before adding it into the main tank (will the disease could spore/go dormant).

 

[Anonymous]

Hmm, I always thought the opposite. I usually put the most delicate, shy fish in first, and would rather not stress it by moving it twice. Also, the main tank seems like it would be a better environment for the fish to acclimate in, compared to the q-tank, but what Len and ck say makes sense.

 

[PilotNY]

Matt,
I agree with Len. Q-ing your first fish might not seem to be a big deal but if it is harboring some disease or parasite, you might play he!! getting rid of it in your main display. The first rule I have is make sure that nothing gets into my tank (corals and fish). The only way to do that is to quarantine EVERYTHING that goes in. I always err on the side of caution.

As far as the sequence of adding fish, be careful. Some fish are very territorial and if they are the first fish added, then they will chase the rest of the fish you add. IMO

Good Luck

Carl

 

[Anonymous]

It makes no sense to NOT q/t all fish and inverts before they go into the display. Otherwise, if it's infected with anything, how do you propose to keep it out of the display, as well as treat it?