How long to QT fish

[lowman31]

How long do you QT new fish? Is it a time limit or just till they look good?

 

[EddieJ]

I go a minimum of 4 weeks with an average of 6 weeks. It doesn't cost much to setup a good QT system and it pays big dividends in the long run. You get to know the fish better during this time and establish a baseline for it's behavior. It also lets the fish adjust to the meals you provide without the added stress of competition. I always cringe when you see someone complete their big tank build then purchase all those fish they always wanted at once, throw them in, then you read the post a couple weeks later of ICH and sickness running all over their tank. It also gives you time to establish a stocking list order for introduction into the tank. I always try to put the largest and most aggressive fish in last.

 

[Nanook]

[moved]

 

[lowman31]

Thanks EddieJ. 4 weeks is usually what I do but I was curious to see what others do. Its hard to fight the urge to just put a specimen that looks healthy right into the display.

 

[dixiedog]

Thanks EddieJ. 4 weeks is usually what I do but I was curious to see what others do. Its hard to fight the urge to just put a specimen that looks healthy right into the display.

Yep. I've been guilty of that many times ... and paid the price for it. My tank is fishless even as we speak, because ich recently wiped it out AGAIN.

From now on, I am a quarantining FOOL. I may even copper treat, although then I'll need a third tank.