Is quarantine and prophylactic medication necessary in new discus

SlyFox · Post by **SlyFox** » Fri Feb 03, 2023 11:34 pm

I'm picking up 2.5 inch discus from a local store today, they've had them for 30 days. My tank is 5x2x2 feet, I want to stock as many as I can. How many discus of this size can I safely keep in this tank? Also, should I quarantine them first, give them a pp bath, and deworm with metrogyl before adding them to the main tank? Some folks say only medicate if they look sick, while others say it's always necessary - what's the best approach?

jellybelly · Post by **jellybelly** » Sat Feb 04, 2023 4:51 am

Re: Is quarantine and prophylactic medication necessary in new discus

You need to rethink your approach.

The key question to ask yourself is, "how many seven-inch discus will my tank support, considering the one-gallon-per-inch rule?"

While quarantine is a personal choice, it's crucial to remember that skipping it can lead to introducing diseases to your tank.

If possible, I would recommend quarantining and treating with Ken's Metrozole flake for a few days to eliminate internal parasites and worms.

That being said, I don't have a quarantine setup, but I'm extremely cautious when buying fish, and I never add vendor water to my tank.
A PP bath can be too harsh on some fish, like Sprig.

I'm sure others will offer more valuable insights for your specific situation.

lunar · Post by **lunar** » Sat Feb 04, 2023 8:42 am

Re: Is quarantine and prophylactic medication necessary in new discus

You're working with a 150g tank, so we're talking 15-16 discus. But let's be real, you'll need to change a lot of water daily, and I mean a lot. To be honest, I wouldn't start in a 150. If I were you, I'd start in a 50-60 gal and change 50% or more daily. That's just how small fish grow. If you're not up for the water changes, then maybe get bigger discus.

As for meds, it's your call. I personally wouldn't use PP. Take a look at Al's thread on QTing discus for some advice on what meds to use.

SlyFox · Post by **SlyFox** » Sat Feb 04, 2023 10:48 am

Re: Is quarantine and prophylactic medication necessary in new discus

Thanks

Jumper · Post by **Jumper** » Sat Feb 04, 2023 4:44 pm

Re: Is quarantine and prophylactic medication necessary in new discus

I'd still consider them imported, even if they're from a local fish store. Most LFS rely on central filtration systems, which can expose the entire system to potential cross-contamination.

Quarantining all discus is a must, regardless of the source - even if you're getting them from the same place multiple times. It's always better to err on the side of caution.

Prophylactic treatment during quarantine can be a lifesaver down the line, helping to prevent any potential issues from arising.

Craftsman · Post by **Craftsman** » Sat Feb 04, 2023 5:41 pm

Re: Is quarantine and prophylactic medication necessary in new discus

I'm a firm believer in quarantining all new fish for a minimum of six weeks. During this time, I also prophylactically deworm them. My reasoning for this is that a fish can harbor worms for months without showing any symptoms. By the time it becomes apparent, the fish may have already started to lose weight or experience stunted growth and development.

I monitor them closely during quarantine to determine if any other issues arise. However, I do not advocate for prophylactic antibiotic treatment. In my opinion, this can lead to the development of resistant bacteria, which is a serious concern.