Ya, this time QT only for observation, I have fresh rock with things to pick at. If he's good for a week, he's going into the DT.
Lots of flow, enough to pick at in DT to keep him fed until he eats (although the last one ate well within 24 hours).

I'm thinking of building a rubble pile anyway for pods, so that may start tomorrow. Probably use the large reactor media I have kicking around.

Did you pick up another one already? You should skip the qt and place it straight in. I really think if you can put the fish into a tank with little or no aggression it will be inclined to feed and once it starts eating that's half the battle already. Just a thought...

Have to wait a month for delivery, but will get one. I have a large yellow tang, so will put in observation first. Last one did fine until I poisoned it :)

I've been through the MI saga many times, for better and worse. Lost one a few months ago that I'd had for years. I would agree that putting straight into DT is the best bet.Sometimes they drop dead seemingly just to spite you though.. The long term successes I've gotten have thrived from day one. Ich is not a good sign in a MI and I've rarely had one recover from this, same goes for the parasites they seem to attract. Very sensitive to any kind of treatment unfortunately.

What about a nice bannerfish? Decent substitute for a MI imo

No :) MIs can be kept, lots of examples of it online. I had one that was almost 2yrs in tank. I'll try again, think I got this :)

I will nto just add him to my DT though, that's a bit reckless to the rest of the tank. I have a observation tank waiting with rock and a nice view of the ocean.

A nice view of the ocean...thats worse than killing him outright, now you're adding torture to the list haha

There is no replacement for MI. I have looked at them many times trying to convince myself to think of it as an alternative but no chance.

Just a temp setup, once he goes in the DT, he has view of the TV. Which might be worse !