How long do you QT new fish?

[pdbrady]

Even though I don't always do it....2 weeks.

 

[headbanger_jib]

give them a salt bath and then they are ready to go to the tank
at least thats what i do

 

[japes]

I dont quarentine fish. I more or less buy fish that I've observed for quite some time in the LFS and ask whats the history of the tank etc. If I see a fish I want, but it is in a tank with a history of ich in the last 2 months, I'll wait some more time or keep searching.

Same thing I currently do because I don't have a Quarantine or Hospital tank at this stage (coming in a few weeks ), though instead of asking about history of the tank, I'll observe all tanks in the store for any problems whatsoever. 1 problem on centralized filtering turns into a lot of problems.

 

[Headrush]

I always quarantine fish minimal of two weeks. I also treat with a parasitic med, this gives enough time to kill parasites that will fall off and rehost. I will never add a fish to an established system. ( unless it comes from someone trusted) I have quarantined wild caught for as long as 4-5 weeks.

If a fish has an internal health issue, especially if just delivered to the lfs, I may take a week or two for that condition to show itself. By then it is to late, you have already exposed a possible health risk to your system.

Better to treat one small quarantine than to treat one monster setup!

This is why I am asking. I bought a fish that LOOKED healthy but a week later my big male FM had "dropsy" and developed bumps and sores etc... These symptoms showed up on the "new" fish (bushy nose pleco) as well, until he puffed up, stopped eating and bought the farm. I ended up battling this bacterial infection for the better part of 2 solid months. My fish are all looking much better now but I don't wana do that again...EVER. Medicating a 90 gallon is expensive IMO, so I'd prefer to treat them in the small QT tank first.

SO I'm going to QT new fish from now on. That question is now answered. BUT...is it OK to treat them with meds (Say Myacin Plus) even without obvious symptoms? I wouldn't want to stress them or kill them by trying to prevent a spread of disease.

maybe I should put them in and observe them for a week then add meds as needed?