Save results, get reminders, and share reports with your vet or dealer.
A minimum of 14 days is recommended, with 21 days preferred. This allows time for latent parasites and bacterial infections to manifest. Some experienced keepers quarantine for 30 days, especially with imported fish.
Keep quarantine tanks between 72-78 degrees F (22-26 degrees C). Warmer water speeds up parasite life cycles, making them easier to detect and treat. Avoid temperatures below 65 degrees F during quarantine.
Yes, a cycled biological filter is critical. Ammonia and nitrite spikes during quarantine can stress or kill fish. If your filter is not cycled, plan for daily water changes and careful ammonia monitoring.
At minimum: a dechlorinator, non-iodized salt, a broad-spectrum anti-parasite treatment, and a water test kit for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and pH. Consult your vet or dealer for specific product recommendations.
Fish from the same source and shipment can generally be quarantined together. Never mix fish from different sources in the same quarantine tank, as they may carry different pathogens.