A 5 gallon tank should be fine as just a temporary quarantine tank. Just clean the water daily on larger fish. I have kept goldfish in 5G QT temporarily. Good luck and have a safe trip!
I just got back yesterday. Two of the Julii cories died. Everyone else looks ok. The one with a bent spine, kinda has a hump or bump in her spine and seems to have a little trouble swimming at times. I am thinking of putting her down so she doesn't breed any more and to potentially put her out of her misery (I don't know for sure if she is in pain but she does seemed stressed at times simply with trying to swim, almost tips on her side at times but she quickly corrects this). What is the best way to put a fish down? Freeze it or clove oil or....?
Everyone has their preference. I use clove oil. If I have vodka, I use it too. IMO, it’s the mist humane way. Slowly freezing them is painful and I just can’t whack one. Good luck, whatever you decide.