Quarantine Tank Setup
Use a bare 75L tank with sponge filter, heater, and thermometer. No substrate, no decor — easier to observe and clean.
Pre-cycle the sponge filter in your main tank for 2 weeks before QT starts. This gives instant biological filtration.
Week 1: Observation
Let fish settle. Feed small amounts. Watch for ich, flukes, rapid breathing, scratching, clamped fins. Test water daily.
Don't treat anything unless symptoms appear. Many shop-stressed fish recover with clean water alone.
Week 2: Preventive Treatment
Dose API General Cure (praziquantel + metronidazole) for 5 days. This kills flukes, internal parasites, and early bacterial infections.
Maintain 0.3% salinity (1 tbsp per 10L) throughout quarantine.
Week 3-4: Stability Check
Return to normal feeding. Observe behavior, fin condition, appetite, and stool. No treatments needed if fish looks clean.
Before moving to main tank: take a sample of main-tank water and add to QT over 2 days to acclimate to different parameters.