QT for Freshwater

[SemperFish]

Was wondering if it matters or not to QT new fish for Freshwater tanks or not? And if so for how long?

 

[Cynic]

Depends what's currently in your tank.

 

[SemperFish]

Well right now nothing but if we where to get some after we have already established a community should we have a QT as a good measure?

 

[Cynic]

Well right now nothing but if we where to get some after we have already established a community should we have a QT as a good measure?

Short answer, if you can it's always a good idea.

Long answer, it's a personal call. Think of it like insurance, weigh up the potential cost of replacing your stock (Financial and other) with the cost of quaranting your new fish.

 

[MMantelli]

Personally I would say yes mainly to quarantine new fish from my lfs. And to treat wounded fish. I have an aggressive tank. It's your call but if your taking a poll here's my ballot--->yes and semper fi do or die brotha.

 

[wildroseofky]

I think it is a great idea and for at least 4 weeks. I only waited two with my new fish and lost the whole lot when I added them to my main tank. No idea what did it and now I worry that I moved them two quick. I am a newbie and hate to wait for new stock but I have learned my lesson the hard way. So far I have only lost one of my main tank inhabitants but I feel very guilty for shortening the QT. Better safe than sorry.

 

[shellieca]

It is a good idea to QT new fish before adding them to an established community tank. Many on here will say to QT 4-6 weeks because some diseases take that long to show.

 

[Coyne]

Is there something a fish could be carrying that could spread to other fish that wouldn't manifest symptoms within a week or two inside the QT?

Also, would I need to slowly acclimate fish from my QT to my main tank? Ph and hardness are the same and the temperatures have a 2 degree difference.

 

[Coyne]

It is a good idea to QT new fish before adding them to an established community tank. Many on here will say to QT 4-6 weeks because some diseases take that long to show.

That answers my first question.

 

[HUKIT]

Was wondering if it matters or not to QT new fish for Freshwater tanks or not? And if so for how long?

Fresh, salt, or brackish this is a must in my opinion as the type of fish I keep are hard to come by and to introduce new fish without quarantining them is like playing Russian roulette, at some point someone is going to die. I QT all new fish for a minimum of 4-6 weeks(some even longer if a illness is seen) along with feeding medicated anti-parasite foods along with medicating the water with Praziquental.

 

[Coyne]

Fresh, salt, or brackish this is a must in my opinion as the type of fish I keep are hard to come by and to introduce new fish without quarantining them is like playing Russian roulette, at some point someone is going to die. I QT all new fish for a minimum of 4-6 weeks(some even longer if a illness is seen) along with feeding medicated anti-parasite foods along with medicating the water with Praziquental.

Are there any downsides/risks to this medication if the fish turn out to be healthy?

 

[HUKIT]

Are there any downsides/risks to this medication if the fish turn out to be healthy?

No absolutely no downside or risk involved with either metrozoidale or praziquantel, I use this method to treat all incoming fish.

 

[Buu]

No absolutely no downside or risk involved with either metrozoidale or praziquantel, I use this method to treat all incoming fish.

I might start doing this!

OP I Am new to the hobby. I bought some neons who had ich and wish I knew beforehand to have a QT!!! I am now QT all new fish. It is ridiculous to even have to worry, you would think having fish would be simple. I don't get it. My inlaws get a huge tank, throw in hose water, few goldfish, never water change and forget to feed. Nothing bad happens for 3 years. Me, I cycled my tank, carefully added fish. And have the worse luck and get diseased fish first go around. Bleh