Why is quarantine so difficult. How do you get through it?

[livinlifeinBKK]

For fish with a reputation for not eating or frightening too easily, I actually use a longer QT period than that recommended by our protocols.

For example, on June 28 I received a shipment that was practically destroyed by a fork lift accident at the Fed Ex distribution facility. While the Copper band butterfly and a flasher wrasse were DOA, the Ornate Leopard wrasse and the two Zebra Dartfish were still kicking. I placed the three in an established QT containing pvc fittings and a large tupperware container with non-calcium-based sand about 3 inches deep.

The two dartfish immediately started eating while the Leopard Wrasse immediately buried in the sand.

For days, the only way I could determine if the wrasse was alive was by stirring the sand to arouse him.

Finally, the wrasse started coming out for a brief time on his own. Now, almost 2 weeks later, he is staying out of the sand for several hours at a time. All now seem comfortable in the tank.

I have not yet started the copper treatment. Instead, I used the time to get the three fish to eat consistently. All are eating pellets voraciously.

I will still use the 30-day copper and prazi treatment protocol starting in the next day or two. Although the fish appear healthy, I do not want to take the risk they are carriers. The other fish in my display tank don't need any risk of acquiring a potentially deadly parasite.

Thats actually pretty typical of wrasses that rely on sand for cover. I had a Christmas Wrasse (I know they differ in behavior) that wouldn't eat at first...it turned out that he just had a preference for live food. @carri10 have you tried live food like white worms or grindal worms? Most fish cant resist and thats an unbelievably healthy diet!

 

[Punchanello]

I would definitely lean towards dealing with the Copperband not eating first. Of course, one cause may be ich which complicates things. My experience has been that if a copperband is not going to make it, it's almost always a failure to eat that will kill it.

Quarantine is difficult (but is not as hard as some make out and gets easier), mostly because one size does not always fit all as you are experiencing with the copperband.

I started with an absolutist approach - 100% TTM and medication prophylactic approach. But now I decide based on the fish. Usually I buy from my friend who owns a store and does a full bulk TTM on all new fish and lets me observe the process in the back rooms. When I get them I will always observe them for a period in quarantine and condition them. If it has very mild ich (I haven't had one yet but with a bulk TTM like that it will happen one day), I prefer to rely on a UV sterilizer in the DT to control it rather than eliminate it. I will always check for flukes and parasites and treat if present. I will never put a fish in the DT if I have any suspicion about it's health and if I do spot something more serious I will always treat with medications or TTM.

So I guess I am saying, look at your own resources, time, presentation of fish and experience to decide your risk tolerance and approach. I learnt everything from people like @MnFish1 and @Humblefish when I started and I trust their advice. Now I can combine that with my own experience to get it right most of the time.

 

[blazn]

With any fish that's known to have issues in getting to eat, such as a Copperband, unless the fish is obviously compromised by disease/parasite, I recommend not medicating your QT until the fish is eating well. Once they're eating, then start the medication. Copperbands are definitely a hit/miss concerning eating and the focus needs to be on getting it to eat. Glad you're going to add more 'hiding spots' for it, as that will definitely help! Good luck and hope you're able to get your CB eating soon!

 

[carri10]

Thank you all enormously for the help and discussion.
Just to let you know what happened. I couldn't get the Copperband to eat reliably. At this stage, he had been in Copper for 8 days. Reading about lifecycle of Ich, it seemed that the highest risk period had passed and any trophants were likely to have detached. I took the risk of introducing into the main tank. The next day, the Copperband was busying themselves around the tank, poking its beak into holes and nibbling on what ever they found in there. Seems quite happy now.
The thing that was said in the discussion above that most impacted me is the idea of building the fish up to QT. I had always thought of QT as a harsh stage to go through asap, but that comment about really taking your time and seeing fish introduction as a whole process, not just some time with chemicals has changed my way of looking at it. Thanks all.

 

[blazn]

Although it certainly is a good sign that your CB is hunting in your DT, you definitely must ensure that it's eating your prepared foods, as there typically is not nearly enough within your reef to feed him alone.

 

[MnFish1]

Thank you all enormously for the help and discussion.
Just to let you know what happened. I couldn't get the Copperband to eat reliably. At this stage, he had been in Copper for 8 days. Reading about lifecycle of Ich, it seemed that the highest risk period had passed and any trophants were likely to have detached. I took the risk of introducing into the main tank. The next day, the Copperband was busying themselves around the tank, poking its beak into holes and nibbling on what ever they found in there. Seems quite happy now.
The thing that was said in the discussion above that most impacted me is the idea of building the fish up to QT. I had always thought of QT as a harsh stage to go through asap, but that comment about really taking your time and seeing fish introduction as a whole process, not just some time with chemicals has changed my way of looking at it. Thanks all.

I'm glad that he tolerated the copper. However, note, I think you're misunderstanding the lifecycle of ich. It requires a longer copper period (30 days) - but I realize the reason you cut it shorter. Make sure to watch for any disease that may arise. Good luck with your fish