can you qt multiple fish

bdr · 09/10/2012, 06:25 PM

title says it all if your qt tank is big enoug can you qt multiple fish or do they pass things back and forth?

Agu · 09/10/2012, 06:54 PM

Cross contamination can be an issue. If you have three healthy fish and one fish with parasites you'll end up with four fish with parasites.

Another issue is compatibility. If you QT aggressive fish with passive fish it typically won't work. However if you qt fish you want to pair or schooling fish having multiple fish in qt is a good idea.

chrisfont23 · 09/10/2012, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bdr

title says it all if your qt tank is big enoug can you qt multiple fish or do they pass things back and forth?

Kind of defeats the purpose. If you have one sick fish and one that is not sick, there's a greater chance you will wind up with a sick pair. I also think it's a good idea to run a QT fallow for a few weeks after QTing a fish.

sleepydoc · 09/10/2012, 09:32 PM

Assuming they are compatible and your tank is big enough, yes. If you are starting a tank and trying to stock it, you are almost forced to, since you couldn't add fish any faster than 1 every 6-8 weeks otherwise, depending on how long your quarantine for and how long you let your QT sit empty.

As mentioned above, the down side is if one develops any symptoms, you're obligated to treat both for the duration. Even though you expose the 'healthy' fish to the sick fish, you still prevent the exposure to your DT.

09/10/2012, 06:25 PM	#1
bdr Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: kingston ontario Posts: 375	can you qt multiple fish title says it all if your qt tank is big enoug can you qt multiple fish or do they pass things back and forth? __________________ 75g display, 40g breeder sump. 85 lbs lr 2 korillia 1050gph powerheads, vertex 100gpd rodi, brs media reactor water went in jan 3 12

09/10/2012, 06:54 PM	#2
Agu Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Sarasota, Florida Posts: 30,279	Cross contamination can be an issue. If you have three healthy fish and one fish with parasites you'll end up with four fish with parasites. Another issue is compatibility. If you QT aggressive fish with passive fish it typically won't work. However if you qt fish you want to pair or schooling fish having multiple fish in qt is a good idea. __________________ Less technology , more biology . Current Tank Info: 30 gallon half cube and 5.5, both reef tanks

09/10/2012, 09:32 PM	#4
sleepydoc Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 3,907	Assuming they are compatible and your tank is big enough, yes. If you are starting a tank and trying to stock it, you are almost forced to, since you couldn't add fish any faster than 1 every 6-8 weeks otherwise, depending on how long your quarantine for and how long you let your QT sit empty. As mentioned above, the down side is if one develops any symptoms, you're obligated to treat both for the duration. Even though you expose the 'healthy' fish to the sick fish, you still prevent the exposure to your DT. __________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 120 gallon, coast to coast overflow w/beananimal overflow. Waveline DC 10000 II return pump, 40 gal sump, Octopus XS200 skimmer, T5 lighting