Dither fish with quarantining pair?

[Ben Rhau]

Hi,

I'm planning to receive a pair of Apistogramma sp. Alto Tapiche next week, and am rearranging my tanks to accommodate. In what is currently my 10g quarantine tank, I have 8 Nannostomus marginatus. I can move them to another tank. Do you recommend keeping 1 or 2 of them in the quarantine tank to make the apistos more comfortable during quarantine?

Cheers,
Ben

 

[MacZ]

I think it's not necessary. Also somewhat compromises the purpose of aquarantine. That it's not species appropriate for the pencilfish to be in that low numbers is almost only a footnote.

 

[Mike Wise]

Pencilfish are not really a schooling fish. They will form loose groups, but they do not depend on others in their group for 'safety in numbers' like schooling fish need. I tend to agree with MacZ that dithers in a quarantine tank compromises it purpose. A dimly lit tank is a better option.