Regal angelfish copper Quarantine

[roryodireland]

Has anyone done a copper qt on one of the tank bred regal angelfish? I’ve one ordered but heard they come in super small and I’m worried copper (power) would have a larger toll on such a small fish’s system any advice ? Also going to formalin dip and prazi TIA

 

[Fish Fan]

Welcome new member!

This is a great question for the R2R #fishmedic guys.

Good luck!

 

[W31Olds]

If it is Tank Bred I wouldn't do anything with Medication if you're getting from the Breeder. However, if it was at a LFS or on-line Supplier, that's a whole different situation and may require standard QT Protocol. I don't know how much experience you have but if your new to the hobby, this is not the Fish for you, and I would cancel immediately as these tiny Regals need grow out in cycled mature tanks with and a large time commitment by the Aquarist. Regals don't grow fast, and I could see 6 months to a year in an appropriate holding Tank.

 

[roryodireland]

If it is Tank Bred I wouldn't do anything with Medication if you're getting from the Breeder. However, if it was at a LFS or on-line Supplier, that's a whole different situation and may require standard QT Protocol. I don't know how much experience you have but if your new to the hobby, this is not the Fish for you, and I would cancel immediately as these tiny Regals need grow out in cycled mature tanks with and a large time commitment by the Aquarist. Regals don't grow fast, and I could see 6 months to a year in an appropriate holding Tank.

Yeah the plan is to grow out either in refugium or isolation box it’s coming from a retailer so it’ll have gone to an intermediate wholesaler from breeder and then to my lfs so that’s more exposure than I’d be comfortable with not qting as my goal is ich eradication along with the others

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Has anyone done a copper qt on one of the tank bred regal angelfish? I’ve one ordered but heard they come in super small and I’m worried copper (power) would have a larger toll on such a small fish’s system any advice ? Also going to formalin dip and prazi TIA

Skip the formalin dip - way too harsh unless you use a low dose, then it's not effective. There is also a huge human health issue with it.

If the angel is coming straight from Biota (who gets them from Indonesia) and it did NOT go through any other system (LFS, wholesaler, etc.) you can pretty safely by-pass the copper and prazi, at least just go through an observational phase and be ready to treat. If it got mixed with any wild caught fish along the way, you'll need to run it through a full quarantine, copper at 2 to 2.25 will work, followed by prazi.

 

[skey44]

I’d do a long observation if it was me, not trying go against what is recommended here but I wouldn’t medicate unless I saw a symptomatic reason too. I would extend observation out over a month though. Everyone has different risk levels they’re willing to take. Risk of inadvertently harming a single fish with prophylactic potentially unnecessary meds vs risk whole tank with disease introduction possibility. Make your informed decision:) good luck. Regal angels are my favorite fish. I had a beautiful Red Sea specimen with a wonderful inquisitive unafraid personality a long while back. It heartbreakingly jumped out of the tank while I was at work after having it for a few years. Screen lids on my tank now!

 

[W31Olds]

I don't mean to harsh but a refugium or Isolation box is not going to be sufficient. You are already at a disadvantage getting it from a retailer and most of these Regals are < 1 inch with the Biota at .5 inches. There simply is not enough reserve in these Juveniles to consistently be successful and as you know small fish fade fast. Under optimal circumstances in a dedicated grow out tank, I would still image the success rate is only around 50 percent. Regals deserve their reputation as an "Expert Only" fish.

 

[roryodireland]

Skip the formalin dip - way too harsh unless you use a low dose, then it's not effective. There is also a huge human health issue with it.

If the angel is coming straight from Biota (who gets them from Indonesia) and it did NOT go through any other system (LFS, wholesaler, etc.) you can pretty safely by-pass the copper and prazi, at least just go through an observational phase and be ready to treat. If it got mixed with any wild caught fish along the way, you'll need to run it through a full quarantine, copper at 2 to 2.25 will work, followed by prazi.

It’s coming from dejong marine which is a wholesaler in Holland then to my lfs in Ireland so I’d imagine it’ll have been exposed to a few different tanks since coming from biota they come so small tho I’d be worried about the copper but I’ve had such bad luck with ich im really trying to keep a strict qt this time

 

[skey44]

I think that prazi and copper power are your friends if you’re risk averse. Again best of luck. Lovely fish.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

It’s coming from dejong marine which is a wholesaler in Holland then to my lfs in Ireland so I’d imagine it’ll have been exposed to a few different tanks since coming from biota they come so small tho I’d be worried about the copper but I’ve had such bad luck with ich im really trying to keep a strict qt this time

I know of DeJong, but I don’t know their specific holding systems.

You could hold it by itself in a well conditioned QT, and get done size on it, and just be prepared to treat if it comes down with ich.