Quarantine Methods

[Mr_Banana_Pants]

I am finally setting up a separate tank to quarantine my new friends. Figured I would do it before I regret not doing it. My question is do you guys and gals find it better to prophylactic treat fish in qt or just observe? And if pretreatment is the way, copper based meds with antibiotics?

 

[Joey waid]

I say no meds unless needed.

 

[Humblefish]

I advocate always using Prazipro in order to deworm; all other meds are optional IMO unless you see symptoms.

More info here: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/how-to-quarantine.189815/

 

[Empress]

I am finally setting up a separate tank to quarantine my new friends. Figured I would do it before I regret not doing it. My question is do you guys and gals find it better to prophylactic treat fish in qt or just observe? And if pretreatment is the way, copper based meds with antibiotics?

Thanks for asking that question, Mr. Banana (WHAT??). [emoji23]

I keep asking myself if I should treat or just observe. All my new friends are doing fine in QT and I'd hate to screw that up with medications if I don't have to. But tomorrow I will do the Prazipro treatment (I'm scared to even do that).

Take a deep breath. And just follow Humblefish's advice and you'll be fine. Good luck [emoji256].

 

[Humblefish]

Whether to prophylactically treat or passively observe in QT has more to do with you than the fish.

People who should always prophylactically treat for ich & flukes are:

1. Not the overly observant types.
2. Don't have 10-15 minutes every day to sit in front of the QT to observe for symptoms.

Folks who can get by with just passive observation in QT include:

1. Attention to detail types, who will notice not just obvious physical symptoms of disease but behavioral ones such as scratching/rubbing, flashing, head twitching, heavy breathing, swimming into the flow of a powerhead, purposely staying out of the light, etc.
2. Have the time & patience to sit in front of the QT every single day to observe for the above.

 

[Brew12]

I am finally setting up a separate tank to quarantine my new friends. Figured I would do it before I regret not doing it. My question is do you guys and gals find it better to prophylactic treat fish in qt or just observe? And if pretreatment is the way, copper based meds with antibiotics?

I flip flop over this question all the time. I hate to put fish through the stress of copper treatment if it isn't necessary. I don't think there is any visual indication of a healthy fish that came out of an ich managed tank or one that was completely ich free.
With this in mind, it see it as a balancing act. Would I rather increase the risk of a fish dying in my QT because of exposure to meds or increase the risk of wiping my tank because I missed a fish that didn't have visible ich symptoms. I don't find this to be an easy answer. Especially for more delicate fish.
I always fall back on the fact that doing any form of QT is better than none. You need to be lucky to not have a tank wiped out if you don't use proper QT. If you use any reasonable method of QT you shift the odds of a healthy tank in your favor.

 

[Empress]

Arrrrrrrggg! I'm pulling my hair out!!! To treat or not to treat??? That is the only answer we need, yet the only answer we will never know the answer to!

Being female, I will go with my "maternal" instinct and let my "gut" guide me. After all, these are my "babies".

 

[Mr_Banana_Pants]

Arrrrrrrggg! I'm pulling my hair out!!! To treat or not to treat??? That is the only answer we need, yet the only answer we will never know the answer to!

Being female, I will go with my "maternal" instinct and let my "gut" guide me. After all, these are my "babies".

Unfortunately I don't have maternal instincts [emoji22] [emoji14] but I'm starting to think maybe the parzipro might be worth it, and the copper if something doesn't feel right. Guess it's just gonna take some experience and unfortunately, failure to learn what works best for me

 

[Empress]

Unfortunately I don't have maternal instincts [emoji22] [emoji14] but I'm starting to think maybe the parzipro might be worth it, and the copper if something doesn't feel right. Guess it's just gonna take some experience and unfortunately, failure to learn what works best for me

Prazipro and a good eye for detail. Oh, and let's not forget common sense. Good luck and keep us posted whichever route you decide to take. [emoji102] [emoji225]

 

[jimbau]

Whether to prophylactically treat or passively observe in QT has more to do with you than the fish.

People who should always prophylactically treat for ich & flukes are:

1. Not the overly observant types.
2. Don't have 10-15 minutes every day to sit in front of the QT to observe for symptoms.

Folks who can get by with just passive observation in QT include:

1. Attention to detail types, who will notice not just obvious physical symptoms of disease but behavioral ones such as scratching/rubbing, flashing, head twitching, heavy breathing, swimming into the flow of a powerhead, purposely staying out of the light, etc.
2. Have the time & patience to sit in front of the QT every single day to observe for the above.

For the second set of folks I would add that the person needs to be prepared to decisively act quickly if abnormal behavior is observed.