Aclimating new fish

Question
Hi, I have another question, if you might have any insight, I'd really appreciate it.  I am about to purchase my first fish.  I was looking to get one true percula and one black and white percula.  I have heard it is not good to mix species, but are these two really two different species?  Hope to hear from you soon.  Thanks.-------------------------
Followup To
Question -
I have a newly cycled 72 gallon FOWLR tank.  My question is, I have a handful of hermit crabs, a couple of snails, and two shrimp.  I am about to add my first fish.  I know all abou the quarantine tank rules, but since this/these will be the first fish in the tank, do I still need to quarantine it/them?  Also, what is the basic rule of dipping with Meth blue?  Should I dip them before adding to the main tank, or should I dip them and put them in quarantine?  Or is dipping not entirely necessary?  Any info you have would be most appreciated.  I'm a little nervous about dipping, since one of my future charges will involve a long horned cowfish.  I am not sure how he will take to dipping ( the last thing I want is for him to get stressed and release his toxins. ) Hope to hear from you soon.  Thanks.
Answer -
Hello,

excellent question.  The problem here is your fish that you are going to get from your supplier may have a parasite problem. Inspect the fish from top to bottom see if it eats.
this will help. Look to see if they are brushing up vs. any corals and rough materials is they are do not buy! They might have Ich.
A trick that I do is lower the salinity to 1.010 to 1.012. this will kill ich, and many common parasites but your inverts will not acclimate well to this.  I would dip in meth blue.  It's hard to know because if you are getting good stock than you do not have to dip. My quarantine tank is set for a salinity from 1.010 to 1.012. I have never had a problem. I would Dip your new fishes this round in M blue Then--  Set up a 10-gallon quarantine tank with low salinity.
A box/cow fish is not the best choice because they are very finicky eaters.  They are very cool looking but in all my texts they are for advanced hobbist's. What other types of fish are you getting please let me know and I will give you the pro and con of each fish. Also find out what stores policy is because I would not want to introduce any parasites in my tank. Ask If they have been treated for parasites
Thanks Todd  

Answer


Hello,

The black and white clown fish is called A. ocellaris and is often mistaken for a percula clownfish.  They are two different species.  I would not mix (any clown species.)I only keep the same species.  Also i never keep more than two of the  same species. I have seen clowns fight and kill the less dominate one. Stick too a percula because they are cool and not too common in the pet trade.

Thanks Todd