Wanted: Quarantine guidelines for hobbyists

[Marksor]

Just reading the other threads about Quarantine when acquiring new fish from a Breeder, Importer, or LFS. I would really appreciate some guidelines on how to do it right, specifically:

For how long? I have seen recommendations of 2 weeks, 4 weeks, longer?

Should you pro-actively treat the fish during the quarantine period for different diseases before introducing to community tanks, etc.? Examples:
- Hexamita/Spironucleus Vortens. Treat first with Metronidazole (250 mg per 10 gal)
- Capillaria - Fluke Tabs (half dose), start treatment after completion of "Metro" treatment
- worms - best treatment during quaratine?

I understand that also using different nets, tank cleaning tools, etc. is important.

Thanks for any advice on this topic.

[brewmaster15]

Hi,
Everyone has a different method, my advice is be as thorough as you can, and as patient...

heres my QT procedure....
Hi all,


1. No matter who the breeder, or seller is. I isolate the fish a minimum of 6 weeks. All equipment is dedicated to the QT setup.
2. When I first receive the fish They are dipped in methylene blue and placed in a tank that has salt at concentration of 1-2 tablespoons /10 gal. This helps them deal with stress.
3. If there are any signs of bacteria or fungus, they get an increase in the salt to 1 tablespoon/ 1 gal water + furan 2 until the probelm clears.
4. dewormed with a tape worm specific medicine-praziquantel

Once eating....
5 fed medicated gel food containing panacur for 1week, longer if I suspect worms.
6. fed a medicated food, with metronidazole to deal with internal protozoans

7. externals parasite are dealt with using formalin , fluke tabs, clout, or potassium Permanganate.

8. I ALWAYS Assume Flukes...the gift that keeps on giving... currently I have found 3 weeks of treatment with Flubendazole or prazi to be the most effective, and safest treatment .

at the end of 6 weeks I take a cull from my other tanks and add it to the QT tank This tells me if the new fish are safe to mix with mine, and tells me if mine are safe to mix with them.


take care,
al

also read this...
http://forum.simplydiscus.com//index...;threadid=1025

[Marksor]

Great advice - thanks for your guidance!

I am also wondering if you intentionally "over-buy" when acquiring new Discus, if this is a good practice. Example: you want 6 new Discus, but purchase 8 and place in quarantine, in anticipation that a couple may not meet the quality you are expecting, that few will end up being cull fish.

Thanks.

[brewmaster15]

HI,
The smaller the fish, the greater the chance not all will be top notch fish. I will always buy way more than I need if they are under 2inches. As juvs and sub adults you can get a good idea as to what they will look like.
hth,
al

keep the best, sell and cull the rest!!!!!!!

[sonflowerjoela]

I was wondering if this link was intended to be to something specific. It just takes me to main page??? Is that what intention was??
http://forum.simplydiscus.com//index...;threadid=1025
Link was in Al's post above and also in another post.

[Ardan]

Hi,
Try these links
http://forum.simplydiscus.com//showthread.php?t=27016
http://forum.simplydiscus.com//showthread.php?t=21044
http://www.simplydiscus.com/library/...ocedures.shtml

hth
Ardan