Adding a new fish

[Johnnyti]

I have three tanks with a variety of fish. All is well. Last Friday my wife came home from the fair with a goldfish. I know there is a transition period for adding a new fish but I didn't have an extra tank. I compromised with a cake pan lid upside dowm (2.5 gal) and used enough gravel and water from an existing tank and added an air line. Then I did 30% water changes with conditioners and Melafix each day just to be safe.
What is the recomended time before adding the new fish with the others? I have read so many horror stories of sick fish contaminating a healthy tank.
It's sad that they give away fish at these fairs knowing that most of the time the person bringing them home doesn't have a clue!

 

[taylorodw]

To be honest I would try to re-home it rather than attempt to keep it in a tropical tank (if your three tanks are tropical). Goldfish need quite large cold water tanks.

Regardless, quarantines are typically 3-4 weeks. I'd worry about keeping a goldfish in that for 3-4 weeks.

 

[Johnnyti]

I plan to put him in a 46 gal a tank with mostly gold fish. I thought he might have had fin rot (the fin edges looked dark) but if he did I'm not seeing it now. He active and eats great. I want to buy a seperate hospital tank but funds are tight. I wasn't looking for a new fish either but what do you do? Anyways, I'm going to do the best with what I have. So I should wait atleast three weeks?
Since I am doing the 30% water change I haven't worried about a filter system but I could hook something up. I did put in a heater and keeping it at 76c. Also some rocks to hide in.

 

[thesixis]

First goldfish need about 10 gal/fish for them to thrive, they will survive in less but do you want to live in a hut?
Second gold fish are a cool water fish, 76 is to hot for them. Remember the higher the temp., the lower amount of O2 disolved in the water.
Goldfish have a digestive system that is designed to feed all the time. They should be feed very small amounts of food several times a day. they should also have access to greens as wanted, I use Duckweed, it grows like crazy in my tanks.

 

[EscVelocity]

Nice job for a QT on the fly. I would do bigger water changes each day though. About 50%, and make sure you vac the gravel. Clean water is the best treatment and prevention of illness.

Good luck on your carni-fish!