Do You Quarantine?
- Thread starter KindredSpirit
- Start date
I don't quarantine. However, I bought a WC Delhezi and a couple weeks later I noticed worms on some of the other fish and had to treat the whole tank.
So...it would always be a good idea to quarantine.
So...it would always be a good idea to quarantine.
Used to be most of the time I QT my newcomers. The few times I've didn't do it, about half of those times, I've regretted not doing it. Sucks losing members of an established tank to newly introduced pathogens (of one type or another). Last time was final straw when I dumped 2 new goldfishes into my goldfish tank, turns out one was infected with ick, fungus and some kind of bacterial infection that causes severe bloating. Lost half of my prized goldfishes (some of which I've picked up years ago), many are very hard to find (mostly extremely longfinned versions of the various types - ranchus, lionheads, ryukins and one celestial with veiltail caudal and lower fins). Luckily my pure black lionhead, pure black superlongfin moor and my pure black veiltail ryukin was out of the tank (club show) at the time.
Now I try to QT ALL newcomers. I normally have 2 QT tanks, a 5g and a 10g, depending on the size of the new fish(s). I also have available a 30L on standby for those monster newcomers (I just picked up 2 11" arowanas that just went into this tank). All three are bare tanks with power filters and airstones. The 2 smaller tanks usually have water in them at all time, so that the water's fully aged and cycled when a new fish comes in.
I do minimum 2 weeks QT, and I only medicate with pimafix and melafix automatically. I treat for other specific pathogens ONLY if they are observed or suspected, in which case I'd then increase the QT period as appropriate. It's better safe than sorry to lose your prized established tank. It also helps if you observe your potential aquisition and pass if it shows signs of ANY problems. A problem avoided is a problem you dont have to deal with.
-Lanaka
2 x 11" arowanas, 12" oscar (just passed away of old age), 13" pleco (the oscar's tankmate), billions of guppies and tetras.
Now I try to QT ALL newcomers. I normally have 2 QT tanks, a 5g and a 10g, depending on the size of the new fish(s). I also have available a 30L on standby for those monster newcomers (I just picked up 2 11" arowanas that just went into this tank). All three are bare tanks with power filters and airstones. The 2 smaller tanks usually have water in them at all time, so that the water's fully aged and cycled when a new fish comes in.
I do minimum 2 weeks QT, and I only medicate with pimafix and melafix automatically. I treat for other specific pathogens ONLY if they are observed or suspected, in which case I'd then increase the QT period as appropriate. It's better safe than sorry to lose your prized established tank. It also helps if you observe your potential aquisition and pass if it shows signs of ANY problems. A problem avoided is a problem you dont have to deal with.
-Lanaka
2 x 11" arowanas, 12" oscar (just passed away of old age), 13" pleco (the oscar's tankmate), billions of guppies and tetras.
I use either a 30 or a 10 for QT depending on the needs of the fish.
The only time I didn't QT a fish has had very lasting effects. My 30 gallon QT was occupied with some giant danios and I had bought a fan tail gold fish. My gold fish (3 of them) were in a 70 gallon tank. It was and still is very understocked. 50% weekly water changes, planted.... ehh just put it in.
2 weeks later, the new guy is still fine but 2 of my older fish had a fungal infection. One lost one lobe of its tail and one lost its bottom lip. Neither have grown back. I now have this stupid looking lipless goldfish!
QT Always.
My rule is that they will remain in QT for 4 weeks past the last sign of troubles. Nearly all of my fish are only in QT for 4 weeks. If I have to treat for ICH or something, they stay in there 4 weeks past the last treatment of meds. It is genuinely quite rare that I have to treat for anything.
The only time I didn't QT a fish has had very lasting effects. My 30 gallon QT was occupied with some giant danios and I had bought a fan tail gold fish. My gold fish (3 of them) were in a 70 gallon tank. It was and still is very understocked. 50% weekly water changes, planted.... ehh just put it in.
2 weeks later, the new guy is still fine but 2 of my older fish had a fungal infection. One lost one lobe of its tail and one lost its bottom lip. Neither have grown back. I now have this stupid looking lipless goldfish!
QT Always.
My rule is that they will remain in QT for 4 weeks past the last sign of troubles. Nearly all of my fish are only in QT for 4 weeks. If I have to treat for ICH or something, they stay in there 4 weeks past the last treatment of meds. It is genuinely quite rare that I have to treat for anything.
I had a friend that failed to Qt, 50 cardinals. She put them in her tank of Discus and it had bad written all over it.
Wiped out her entire tank.
It was a sad day ~
This is what stops me from bringing home something new ~ I DON'T have a QT set up and If I bought something I ~ I know ME. I have NO patience and I would just add it.
Big Mistake. Huge.
Wiped out her entire tank.
It was a sad day ~
This is what stops me from bringing home something new ~ I DON'T have a QT set up and If I bought something I ~ I know ME. I have NO patience and I would just add it.
Big Mistake. Huge.
I quarantine all store-bought fish, especially making sure I feed food that is medicated against worms and other internal parasites.
Yes, I quarantine all my newly bought fish. Since I keep mostly goldfish myself, the likeliest issues I can encounter are gill flukes, ich, fish lice, anchorworms and internal parasites, all of which are common ailments that can happen with goldfish. For this, I make sure I stock sufficient table salt, praziquantel and trichlorfon to battle all these common issues in case they happen. Quarantine period takes place in various tanks ranging 10-15g for 3-4 weeks. I make sure all my new fish are given stringent quarantine procedures being monitored regularly and I do make it my point to check every new fish thoroughly despite my hectic schedule so I can minimize the issues as much as possible.
