I just threw two new fish from my LFS into my display tank. What are the chances that all my fish actually get sick with something?

[honeydewcrew]

I have a 32.5g fluval flex with 2 clown fish. I just added an aiptasia eating filefish and a starry blenny from my LFS (the Fish Room in Cary, NC). The fish looked fine but I know that doesn't mean they're not carying something and you're supposed to quarantine them for a couple weeks. I was not able to do qt and am just curious what the odds are that my display tank is actually cooked?

What should I look for that would suggest my fish are sick? If they get sick what should I do?

 

[dakoop]

It's always a gamble. Clowns are more bulletproof but watch the newbies

 

[brandon429]

A prediction, to be assessed over time

This is most reefs being currently ran, your post represents most reefs in fact. Great post

Crypto: 60-70% risk outbreak by June my take.

The species listed sets this % just my take. Subscribed. Hope it does not, that your system is naturally suppressive and some sure are: Paul B/50 years/ doesn't hyperfocus on fallow additions

 

[andrewey]

It depends on a lot of variables including the health of your current clowns, the fact that you're starting with clowns (which are less susceptible to certain diseases), the stability of the tank (maturity of biological filter), and the two fish you selected (blenny/file fish). I say this, because introducing a hippo tang into a newish undersized tank isn't the same as introducing a clown into a large mature reef, so the odds can swing wildly.

Anyway, that's a preamble to say that I'm not sure anyone knows. My dumb guess would put the odds in your case in the single digits (let's say around 5%) if you're tank is stable and mature, 10% if it's a newer tank. These values are likely wildly wrong

For somewhere to start, the the stickied post above:

Fish Disease Index - Pictorial Guide

Pictorial Guide to Marine Fish Diseases Use this guide to find a picture that most closely matches your fish's symptoms. Click the link, if available for more detailed information on the disease and how to treat it. Ich (Cryptocaryon Irritans) One of the most well-known parasites in the...

www.reef2reef.com

Lot of great resources on some of the other stickied.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I have a 32.5g fluval flex with 2 clown fish. I just added an aiptasia eating filefish and a starry blenny from my LFS (the Fish Room in Cary, NC). The fish looked fine but I know that doesn't mean they're not carying something and you're supposed to quarantine them for a couple weeks. I was not able to do qt and am just curious what the odds are that my display tank is actually cooked?

What should I look for that would suggest my fish are sick? If they get sick what should I do?

The word is = RISK
Hope for the best but expect possibilities. You can safely add Ruby Rally Pro but it will address most issues other than Ich. Have a quarantine tank up and running in case you discover an outbreak.

 

[Fish Fan]

At the least, I'd suggest placing some extra plastic biomedia in your system to be used to quickly setup a QT tank if you need it.

 

[jabberwock]

50/50

 

[braaap]

99%

 

[Idech]

Unless you know for a fact that this LFS is well known for selling disease free fish, the risk is very high. And even if the LFS has a stellar reputation, there is still a risk.

 

[TastesLikeChicken]

Many fish stores run copper in their systems so the fish don’t get sick while under their care. Once the fish gets home and there is no more copper the fish get sick. I agree the risk is high.

 

[Ocean_Queenie]

Once moved a fish that was in Quarantine to early, they all ended up with ick

 

[brandon429]

This thread is the exact reason why all reef tank cycling must be changed to match today's data. Disease kills fish, never the cycle. Step one in establishing a reef tank isn't ammonia control its disease plan implementation which directly sets the stocking rate and order for the tank. Ammonia control is inherent, guaranteed, due to today's bottle bac and live rock options. The thing we used to toil over is now a gimme, and that which is 60-99% likely to kill your fish is simply never disclosed to new reefers, during the cycle.

We can adapt, or throw out bucket loads of fish dead like we're doing by the minute.

Skipping disease plans when venturing out beyond two clowns and a goby? It won't work/cyclers need this up front.

 

[KQuillan]

Why didn't you quarantine first?