Koi Quarantine Timeline Generator: Day-by-Day Protocol

By KoiQuanta Editorial Team|Updated Mar 2026

A quarantine protocol written out day-after-pond-treatment)-by-day before-implementation) fish arrive is worth more than any protocol you're reconstructing from memory on day 11 when something's going wrong.

The timeline tells you what to do when - so you're not making decisions under pressure about whether today is the day you do the second praziquantel treatment or whether you should wait one more day. The protocol was decided before the fish arrived. You're executing, not improvising.

KoiQuanta generates a complete timeline in under 2 minutes when you set up a new quarantine. Below is the logic behind the different protocol types so you understand what the generator produces and why.

TL;DR

KoiQuanta generates a complete timeline in under 2 minutes when you set up a new quarantine.
The 42-day version extends the standard protocol with a longer observation window, typically KHV testing, and stricter discharge criteria.
If a fish develops ulcers on day 12 of a 21-day quarantine, a 14-day antibiotic course plus 14-day post-treatment hold means the earliest possible discharge is day 12 + 14 + 14 = day 40.
Day 1: temperature acclimation, observation, first parameter test, no feeding.
Days 2–3: begin salt ramp to 0.3%, first feeding attempt, observation.
Days 3–5: first praziquantel dose, daily observation and parameters.
Days 7–21 (standard): daily observation, water changes with salt compensation, second praziquantel dose at day 10–12.

Standard Domestic Quarantine (21 Days)

For: domestic fish from a reputable dealer with known health history.

Week 1 (Days 1–7): Arrival and Establishment

Day 1: Arrival day

Acclimate temperature (float bags 15–20 minutes)
Net from bags directly - discard bag water
Full observation: count fish, note arrival condition, photograph for record
Cover tank, minimize disturbance
First parameter test: ammonia, nitrite, pH, temperature, DO
No feeding

Day 2–3: Initial settling

Observe feeding response (offer small amount day 2)
Morning and evening parameter tests
Begin salt ramp: add salt to reach 0.1% today

Day 3–4: First praziquantel dose

Dose praziquantel at 2 mg/L
Confirm tank volume → calculate dose
Log treatment with timestamp in journal
Continue building salt to 0.3% (add 0.1% today)

Day 5–7: Observation

Daily observation with feeding, behavior, respiration, visible signs
Daily parameter tests (morning)
Salt at 0.3% maintained
Water change day 6 or 7: 20–25%, re-dose salt lost in change

Week 2 (Days 8–14): Treatment and Monitoring

Day 10–12: Second praziquantel dose

Second prazi dose at day 10 (7 days after first dose)
Treats larvae hatched from eggs since first treatment
Continue observation and parameter logging

Day 12–14: Assessment point

Is fish eating normally and consistently? Yes → continue
Any disease signs present? No → on track

Week 3 (Days 15–21): Final Observation and Discharge

Day 15–20: Final observation window

Daily observation continues
Any sign of disease or behavior change resets the clock
Begin salt taper day 17: reduce to 0.2%, then day 19 to 0.1%
Day 21: Final discharge criteria check

Discharge criteria check (Day 21 or later):

Zero disease signs for 14 consecutive days
Normal feeding for 7+ days
Ammonia 0 mg/L
Nitrite 0 mg/L
pH stable
Temperature matched to display pond within 1°C
All treatment courses completed and post-treatment holds complete

Japanese Import Quarantine (42 Days)

For: Japanese imports, any KHV-risk fish, fish from unknown health history.

The 42-day version extends the standard protocol with a longer observation window, typically KHV testing, and stricter discharge criteria.

Days 1–7: Same as standard arrival protocol above, targeting 65–68°F throughout

Days 5–7: First praziquantel dose (pushed back one more day from standard - allow more recovery time from transit)

Days 12–14: Second praziquantel dose

Day 14–16: Water change (25–30%) to refresh water after treatment period

Days 15–30: Continued observation in the KHV expression window

Daily observation specifically watching for KHV signs: gill necrosis, excessive mucus, skin necrosis, rapid deterioration
Parameter testing every other day

Day 21 (optional): KHV PCR test point - if testing, samples can be taken at day 21 for analysis during the remaining hold period

Days 28–42: Final observation and pre-discharge window

Begin salt taper day 35: gradual reduction to 0%
Temperature adjustment to match display pond day 38–40
Final parameter set day 41

Discharge criteria check (Day 42 or later): All standard criteria plus: fish has been within KHV expression temperature for full quarantine period with no KHV signs, or PCR test result documented.

Post-Show Quarantine (30 Days)

For: fish returning from shows, auctions, or any mixed-facility event.

Days 1–5: Recovery

Normal arrival protocol (fish are stressed from show)
0.3% salt immediately
No feeding day 1, small amounts day 2–3
Cover tank, minimize disturbance

Days 5–7: First prophylactic praziquantel

Even if no fluke signs - prophylactic treatment is standard for show returns

Days 12–14: Second praziquantel dose

Throughout: Specific KHV observation (post-show fish have higher KHV exposure risk than non-show fish)

Day 30: Discharge criteria check - same as standard, plus 14 days of KHV-specific clean observation

Post-Emergency / Treatment Recovery Quarantine

For: fish treated for an active disease event.

This protocol type is event-driven rather than calendar-driven. The timeline adjusts based on:

What disease was treated
What treatment was used
Post-treatment hold requirements for that treatment type

The generator builds this timeline from your entered treatment event - if you log "oxytetracycline bath, day 5 of 14-day course," the generator schedules the remaining course days, the post-treatment hold (14 days), and the discharge criteria check, all automatically.

What Happens When Something Changes Mid-Protocol

Protocols rarely run as planned. The generator in KoiQuanta handles the most common mid-protocol events:

Disease event discovered mid-quarantine: The discharge date extends. If a fish develops ulcers on day 12 of a 21-day quarantine, a 14-day antibiotic course plus 14-day post-treatment hold means the earliest possible discharge is day 12 + 14 + 14 = day 40. The generator recalculates automatically.

Water change with salt loss: The generator flags the salt concentration impact of the logged water change and prompts the salt re-dose calculation.

Missed treatment day: If praziquantel day 2 is logged 9 days after day 1 instead of 7, the generator notes the interval and adjusts the assessment of treatment adequacy.

FAQ

How do I create a koi quarantine schedule?

The fastest approach: enter your new fish arrival in KoiQuanta - source, quantity, any known health issues - and select the protocol type (standard domestic, Japanese import, post-show). The generator produces a complete day-by-day timeline including salt ramp, praziquantel schedule, water change days, observation prompts, and discharge criteria. You can also build a protocol manually using the templates on this page as a guide.

What should happen on each day of koi quarantine?

Day 1: temperature acclimation, observation, first parameter test, no feeding. Days 2–3: begin salt ramp to 0.3%, first feeding attempt, observation. Days 3–5: first praziquantel dose, daily observation and parameters. Days 7–21 (standard): daily observation, water changes with salt compensation, second praziquantel dose at day 10–12. Days 14+: discharge criteria assessment after 14 clean observation days.

Can I customize the quarantine timeline for my situation?

Yes. KoiQuanta's timeline generator accepts inputs for fish source, known health risks, current health status, and facility constraints, and adjusts the protocol defaults accordingly. You can manually adjust treatment days, extend the observation window, add events, and modify the discharge criteria checklist items. The generator produces a starting point aligned with best-practice protocol; you control the execution.

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Sources

Associated Koi Clubs of America (AKCA)
Koi Organisation International (KOI)
University of Florida IFAS Extension Aquaculture Program
Fish Vet Group
Water Quality Association