How Long Should I Quarantine My Fish?

masterchris16 · Jul 23, 2007

I am new to the aquarium hobby and just set up a quarantine tank yesteday and just wanted to know how long I should quarantine my Fish

Aphotic Phoenix · Jul 23, 2007

2 to 4 weeks.

It really depends on what you are checking for and how stocked the main tank is already.

community begginer · Jul 24, 2007

i agree. 2 - 4 weeks will givew you plenty of time to see whther the fish is healthy and whether it produces an illness within the given time. 3 would be ideal. i ussually cant wait to add a new fishy to the tank.
good luck

masterchris16 · Jul 24, 2007

cheers for the quick respone I guess I would have to wait for 4 week then

Benihana · Jul 24, 2007

Just following on from masterchris' question, when our tank finishes cycling am I right in thinking the first 'batch' of fish we put in the tank don't need to be quarantined? Will it be apparent if there is a problem with any of them, which fish are the culprits? Many thanks

Rooster · Jul 24, 2007

Benihana said:
am I right in thinking the first 'batch' of fish we put in the tank don't need to be quarantined?

Thats right... you dont need to :good:

But do remember to take it slooow, just add a small amount of capacity. (it takes time for your filter to come upto "speed") Add your first few fish, then wait a few weeks before adding more.

I know this is going to be tin hat time, but I have NEVER quaranteened ! :crazy:

dthoffsett · Jul 24, 2007

Benihana said:
Just following on from masterchris' question, when our tank finishes cycling am I right in thinking the first 'batch' of fish we put in the tank don't need to be quarantined? Will it be apparent if there is a problem with any of them, which fish are the culprits? Many thanks

Actually it's up to you, if you do QT your first fish and they end up having some parasite or disease, it's easier and less expensive to treat a small tank, than a larger tank.