Out Of Curiosity?

[scolist]

Lets say that you bought compatible fish from many different vendors at the same time. Yet all fish have different health problems and you only have one quarantine tank.


What would you do? :coz:

[triscuit]

In the past, I've gone out and bought an extra 10g tank for separating non-compatible fish for treatment.

But, in this case, if your fish were housed together even for a few days, they've shared all the diseases, and should all be treated. Find some broad spectrum antibiotics and anti-parasite meds (Metronidazole is my go-to delouser of choice, and I know Sarah has recommended Praziquantel for new fish).

What I would do:
Treat the worst symptoms first.
Don't feed if there's anything suggesting internal parasites.
Keep the water sparkling clean (30% or more water change every day).
Monitor nitrogen species to make sure the biofilter is functioning.
Keep the lights off and temperature stable to minimize stress.

[scolist]

That is an awesome answer!

Thank You.

[fishfreak69]

Well I can only go on experience:

If I were you I would treat everything with 3 step treatment program. I cannot reiterate how important it is to "de-louse" fish EVEN if you think the seller is reputable. The reason is there are different strains of good and bad bacteria. The good bacteria can be detrimental for the fish even if the fish is healthy! Why might you ask is this the case? Well when the fish is shipped the chemicals used stress the fish out which causes an internal immune response to decrease thus increasing susceptibility of the "good" bacteria proliferating to an extent the fishes immune system cannot keep up in keeping the good bacteria in check! Once this starts, then it is a LONG LONG process in getting the fish healthy. I recommend, as well as currently perform, a 3 week de-lousing treatment of Metronidazole, Clout, and Praziquantril (Prazi-Pro). This takes care if internal and external parasites. Now if the fish come in with white patches, then fungal stuff is appropriate... The best fungal that I use is medications with furan properties in it. Furan was actually removed from the market at full strength but a lot of the anti-fungals still have this ingredient in it.

With wild caught fish I always start out with formalin. This is to take off their slimecoat and basically kill any bacteria. With the water chemistry their slimecoat will regenerate and will match the tank/pond/vats bacterial parameters in which there will not be any type of immunodeficiency with the fish.

Education is key to determining what kinds of treatment to use. You can use broad spectrum stuff as prophylactic but use the narrow spectrum for specific strains of bacteria.

ALWAYS ALWAYS treat fish upon arrival with something! Every 3-6 months I recommend a prophylactic treatment if you are constantly moving fish in and out.

[scolist]

More great info. Thanks!