betta fish and disease quarantine

[Sweetie]

Just got a new betta and wanna make sure I'm doing quarantine right. Got a 5-gallon tank, sponge filter, and heater set to 78. How long should I keep him isolated before adding to my main tank? Also, any signs I should watch for?

[flamberg]

Quarantine is sketchy if you don't do it right. I'd say at least two weeks, but some folks go a month. Watch for weird vibes like clamped fins or sluggishness. My last one had ich, so I'm paranoid now.

[RiverGuide]

Quarantine is sketchy if you don't do it right. I'd say at least two weeks, but some folks go a month. Watch for weird vibes like clamped fins or sluggishness. My last one had ich, so I'm paranoid now.

Yep, two weeks is solid. I use a bare-bottom tank for quarantine, easier to clean. Also, check for white spots or frayed fins daily.

[lummox]

I agree with the two-week minimum. My guy had fin rot once, so now I always add a bit of aquarium salt during quarantine. Seems to help keep things chill.

[Sweetie]

Thanks for the tips, everyone. Gonna set up the quarantine tank tonight and keep an eye out for those signs. Appreciate it!

[flamberg]

No prob. Just don't skip the water changes, even in quarantine. Dirty water messes with their immune system. I do 25% every three days.

[RiverGuide]

No prob. Just don't skip the water changes, even in quarantine. Dirty water messes with their immune system. I do 25% every three days.

That's a good point. I also test the water params daily, just to be safe. Ammonia spikes can happen fast in small tanks.

[lummox]

Yeah, small tanks are tricky. I use a sponge filter and keep the flow low so the betta doesn't get stressed. Stress makes 'em more likely to get sick.