Quarantine Timescale

[Benihana]

Hi all.

I've been trying to use the search facility to see if this has already been answered but I can't seem to find anything. Our main tank has been set up now for about 4 months (on top of a 5 week cycle) and we are about to add our first new batch of fish. We have 6 Zebra Danios in our quarantine tank at present who have been there since Sunday and are showing no ill signs and their colours have really come out. My question is....how long should they remain in the quarantine tank before being added to the main? Many thanks

 

[SJ2K]

General rule is around 1-2 weeks, fish such as dwarf gourami who are labelled more as high risk fish may want to remain there for a little longer

 

[Benihana]

Thanks for that. I imagine hardy fish such as Zebra Danios going into an over filtered mature tank with good water quality that is currently understocked, would be at the bottom end of the scale then?

 

[SJ2K]

Near enough yeh id give it a week.

 

[Benihana]

Thanks for your help SJ2K.

 

[QuotheRaven]

However you can never be to careful so two weeks would probably be the best option IMO at a minimum for quarentine unless the fish are looking 100% brilliant

 

[dthoffsett]

I usually QT all new arrivals 2-3 weeks, it hasn't let me down yet. I'm more of the "better safe than sorry" ilk as I have lost nearly an entire tank due to a disease brought by a new arrival, needless to say I started a QT tank after that.

 

[Tolak]

I quar fish from a known source kept in the same water as mine for two weeks. Fish from an unknown source or from water different from mine get a four week quar.

Quar tanks are not just for keeping your existing fish healthy while you observe your new fish for any signs of problems. It also keeps your new fish from contracting anything your existing fish cope with just fine. The quar period lets them get acclimated to new surroundings, new food, and quite possibly new water parameters. They get back to a normal stress free life during the quar period, increasing the strength of their immune system.