Fish treated with formalyn

Just like my coral dip thread I am also wondering how safe it is to purchase fish without a QT. I know this can spark a huge debate and many say never trust a lfs but I have 1 around me that I trust. Family owned business with very knowledgeable staff who don't try and push everything from their tank into yours. In years of going there I have never seen an illness outbreak in their FW systems and when their pumps died on the discus setup they QTd and wouldnt sell the discus for a month. Even in their SW I have never seen ich and only a couple times have I spotted any sign of infection in a fish. They use UV sterilizers which they highly suggest for all tanks (have not fully bought this yet but their results are hard to argue with) and on all their fish only systems they treat regularly with half dose formalin as a preventative.

This is the only store I buy SW fish from because they are the only ones I trust to put in my tank. Being the dose everything ( accept their coral and invert tanks) with the formalin how safe is it to buy a fish from their tanks that has been there a few weeks undergoing this treatment. I know with the addition of new fish into their tanks it can reintroduce disease but I would think with the UV and formalin any disease or parasites would only be on the fish and not in the water column which would be pretty effective in eliminating transmission from fish to fish.

 

I personally never QT fish, some people say thats "bad". But the success rate i've had speaks for itself. That being said, I have read before that prolonged treatment of formalin is bad for the fish's liver...? I believe in UV Steralizers. It does clear the water a bit I know that.

When buying a fish, watch the fish for a while...like 30min or more..look for any weird behavior, request they feed the fish...make sure it eats..and eats good. I'm not saying that this is 100% effective (because u cant see whats going on on the gills or internally) But in my experience its been very effective doing it that way and not QTing

 

I believe QTing a fish is by each individuals choice. As Kevin states he doesn't QT his fish, but what works for Kevin may not work for your or anyone else tank. I QT certain fish like tangs or fish that are hard to keep or have known to be hard to keep. I QT mine to get them healthy and fat and if I do buy a fish(rarely) that has some sort of disease, in the hospital tank he goes. But I am only speaking for myself.

 

I do spend a lot of time looking at the fish, my wife thinks its crazy that it takes me over an hour to buy 1 fish lol but I study the fish and the tank he is in for awhile to make sure everything looks ok. As for the formalin long term treatment, I am not sure on their exact dosing schedule but would think its not a daily thing probably a once or twice a week with new shipment treatment.
You said you only QT certain fish like tangs and other difficult to keep fish. How about dwarf angels I am thinking a potters and/or Coral beauty is next on my list. I know that keeping multiple dwarfs is usually not recommended I would make them keep them together in the same tank at the store for a few weeks before purchase and introduce them at the same time. Also hoping since they have totally different color patterns and arent known as being the most aggressive of angels hey would leave each other alone. Even with that said might just buy one

 

Does this store have each tank on seperate systems?

I've yet to see a lfs, that has all their stock tanks for sale on seperate systems. Maybe 1 or 2 on their on system.
They're all plumbed together usually, so one tank can have an infected fish, (see spots or not,), and now they're all contaminated to some extent.

my 2 cents

PS, I currently have 3 dwarf Angels, all different types, and they get along great. One Coral Beauty, One Flame, and one Rust

 

What size tank do you have? They have multiple systems that are connected which is why I inspect all tanks lol

 

That's Copper that is bad for their livers. I don't know of any long-term impact on a fishes health from PROPER dosages of Formalin.

 

I believe he has a 125g.
I don't think two Dwarf Angels in a 46g tank will end well. One Rust, Flame, Cherub or Coral Beauty will do fine. My personal favorite is the Flame Angel from Xmas Island. Most beautiful fish I've ever had.

 

I am actually hoping tog et a Potters I absolutely love the little guys, the lfs gets them from a roup of divers who dives and catches them with nets so im hoping this would mean increased chance of survival in the aquarium I know they can be difficult