damsels

Do captive-bred damsels need to go in quarantine tank before the DT? The guy at the LFS assures me that there is no way they can be sick...is this accurate?

 

NO, if they've been in contact with other fish they can be sick. It sounds bogus to me.

 

To make the claim that "there is no way the fish can be sick" is to flat out lie. There is absolutely, positively no chance in hades that such a statement could be factual. I don't care if the fish comes with IV bag attached full of wonder drug. It can still be sick.

To address your question, though, "Does a captive bred damsel need to go in quarantine?" That's up to you. If quarantine is the procedure you've decided upon for introduction of your fish, then there's not reason no to because the fine man at the LFS told you so. If you feel better quarantining all new stock, then quarantine this one. Nobody will say you're wrong.

 

Answer me this...does your LFS have all of his fish tanks on a central system?

 

Good question - don't know. But your points are well-taken. So even though the fish are young and captive-bred, they may carry pathogens due to exposure to other fish in the store. So I guess I'd be wise to quarantine my new damsel for 3 weeks prior to introduction to the D/T. Thanks to all who replied.

 

Bingo

 

I agree LFS dude is just saying "give me your money".



QT or not to QT. IMO, this has nothing to do with captive-bred or not captive bred. Damsel or no. It just has to do with your practices.

I, personally, try to make sure the fish I buy appears healthy (so no mail order for me on fish) and I never QT anything... just not setup for it... Not interested in setting it up either. In my mind, the QT just adds another layer of stress. But there is no right or wrong answer here.

 

My LFS will quarantine fish for me if I ask. They will put them in a minimal QT with just a hob filter and no sand, one base rock, and some plastic plants to hide in. they will also pair off gobies/shrimp, clowns, etc if asked. At the worst I have to put a deposit to hold fish.

I think if I ran a LFS I'd offer that as well. Selling customers fish that end up DOA or close to it wouldn't be cool, and if I were to QT them before i send them home with someone I would feel some comfort at knowing they were good before they got to where they're going.


Check with the LFS, see if they have tank space to accommodate you.

-Doug