Quarantine protocol for aquacultured livestock?

[MrWellington]

I've decided to not purchase livestock from LFS (as the health is questionable), and would like to stick with aquacultured livestock as much as possible. Both Biota and ORA do not recommend any prophylactic treatments nor drip acclimation. Running contrary to most quarantine protocols I've read.

So, aside from a 30-day observation, i'd like a little more assurance that the livestock is not a carrier on any unwelcome guests.
What's the best practice for aquacultured fish?

 

[vetteguy53081]

I've decided to not purchase livestock from LFS (as the health is questionable), and would like to stick with aquacultured livestock as much as possible. Both Biota and ORA do not recommend any prophylactic treatments nor drip acclimation. Running contrary to most quarantine protocols I've read.

So, aside from a 30-day observation, i'd like a little more assurance that the livestock is not a carrier on any unwelcome guests.
What's the best practice for aquacultured fish?

Aquacultured are often quarantined or held in observation. Assume all fish especially shipped have something although they may not and give them at least a 14-21 day quarantine using coppersafe or copper power treatment followed by a praziPro treatment then you have addressed chances of both parasitical and fluke/worm type infestations.

 

[Tcook]

Also, no dripping fish shipped in oxygen. Adjust for temperature and salinity and then drop in QT or observation.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I've decided to not purchase livestock from LFS (as the health is questionable), and would like to stick with aquacultured livestock as much as possible. Both Biota and ORA do not recommend any prophylactic treatments nor drip acclimation. Running contrary to most quarantine protocols I've read.

So, aside from a 30-day observation, i'd like a little more assurance that the livestock is not a carrier on any unwelcome guests.
What's the best practice for aquacultured fish?

I applaud you taking this step - captive raised animals are always healthier and more ecologically sound! That makes them a more sustainable option in every case.

One thing that I'm sure you are aware of is that if the aquacultured fish are mixed with wild caught fish along the supply chain, all bets are off and the fish should be proactively quarantined as would any wild caught fish be.

If I understand them correctly, Biota suggests that their fish be held in a isolation tank for up to a month before adding fish to the DT. This allows the fish to grow a bit and to acclimate to the husbandry/food that you have for it. I don't know ORA's specific recommendations.

Regarding drip acclimation, I never do that. What I AWLAYS do though, is to match the destination tank's specific gravity/salinity to that of the bag water the fish are shipped in (knowing that value in advance from the shipper really helps).

Jay