Hospital Tank Question

[DebraAustin]

I don't have a hospital tank at present. I just read the pinned information and it said you needed a 10 gal tank. Does it really have to be that big? All my fish are 2.5" or under at full maturity and I think a whole 10 gal tank for one sick fish is a bit of over kill. Could I get away with a 1 or 2 gal tank that I could store in the closet until needed? If more than one or two of my fish get sick I am probably going to have to treat them all anyway and then they will already be in a 10 gal tank.

I had a fish go sick suddenly after my heater quit working correctly and over heated the tank. I couldn't remove him and had to leave for the weekend. When I got home he had died. I would much rather have put him in a tank by himself, even if I was gone and then if he did die he wouldn't have contaminated the rest of the tank.

I've done a water change and all the other fish look fine, except his buddy who looks really depressed. I will get another friend for him tomorrow. I would like a way to care for ill fish, but don't have room for another 10 gal tank.

Debra

 

[steelhealr]

Debra...you don't necessariy need to make it a ten gallon, however, one of the goals of a hospital tank besides isolation for treatment is to reduce stress. I think a 1 gallon tank is rather small, if you ask me. If it was the only size tank you had available and treatment was urgent...well....SH

 

[Tokis-Phoenix]

If you only have small fish, i would advise a 5gal minimum for hospital tank- i agree with SH, that any less would be too stressful for most fish in general even if it was only temporary, although in general, if you can afford one i would get a 10gal instead. You will also need heating and filtration for the tank, which can be hard to find for tanks under 5gals- you can instantly cycle the filter by leaving it in the main tank for 3-4days+ .

 

[DebraAustin]

If you only have small fish, i would advise a 5gal minimum for hospital tank- i agree with SH, that any less would be too stressful for most fish in general even if it was only temporary, although in general, if you can afford one i would get a 10gal instead. You will also need heating and filtration for the tank, which can be hard to find for tanks under 5gals- you can instantly cycle the filter by leaving it in the main tank for 3-4days+ .

Thanks to both of you for the input. My big problem is no and I mean NO space for another 10 gal tank (at the moment). I will look at smaller tanks and see what I think. I mean if your only 2" long and sick, how much swimming are you going to want to do? (and most of my fish have a while before they are going to reach the 2" mark) I don't think I'll go as small as a 1 gal. It will depend on what I think I can fit into my already overcrowded office. We've just moved and I haven't purchased new furniture, yet, so I have things stacked on top of more things, etc. I think you can get the picture. I just want something to tide me over. I am going to move up to a larger tank within the year and then my old 10 gal can become the hospital tank. Once I get the office set, then I'll know what size tank I can move up to. I am hoping at least a 30, so I can have more pals for my current fish.

Debra

 

[steelhealr]

Pardon the pun but size doesn't matter. As small as it is, fish sense stress and fear. The decision is one of conscientious aquarism. SH

 

[DebraAustin]

Pardon the pun but size doesn't matter. As small as it is, fish sense stress and fear. The decision is one of conscientious aquarism. SH

I'm not sure I catch your drift. I am neither stressed nor fearful, just wanting to do the best by my fish. I don't know that much about fish psychology, but I know that when I am sick I stay in bed. I don't move around much and I'm not much interested in food. I can only guess that fish have similar needs, as the animals I have observed do much the same when they are ill. If you can enlighten me I would appreciate it. I know that being too confined can cause stress, but, as I said, when you are only 2" long how much space do you need to feel safe. Also, being alone is stressful in and of itself when you are a schooling fish and I would think that being in a smaller space that has a few fake plants to hide in would make a fish feel more secure, like there isn't anything waiting around to eat them for lunch.

I am trying to be conscientious as I can as a newbie. I have made a few mistakes already, but as I learn I am correcting them (like someone telling me a cory can be alone, when I found out otherwise I bought him a buddy and he quit hiding and started to be a clown with his buddy, unfortunately my tank is too small for a whole school, but will move up to a larger tank when I feel I am able to handle it).

Debra

 

[Taridan]

If you want smaller than a 10, I'd say go with a 5.5 gallon or a 2.5 gallon.... the 5.5 would be better for me simply because I can lower the water level for my labrinth fish and they'd have more side to side swimming room.