Who Gives A Fish Forums

Just got a new betta and want to make sure I'm doing quarantine right. How long do you guys usually quarantine new fish, and what do you look for before adding them to the main tank?

I quarantine for at least two weeks, sometimes longer if the fish seems off. Check for signs of ich, fin rot, or lethargy. I also test the water params daily to make sure everything's stable, especially ammonia and nitrite.

Two weeks is solid. I've had luck with a 10 gallon quarantine tank, sponge filter, and a heater set to 78–80. Keep it simple, no substrate, just some PVC pipes for hiding spots. Makes it easier to spot issues.

yo, i just throw mine in a 5 gal bucket for a week and call it good. never had issues, but maybe i'm just lucky. what's the worst that could happen?

aywireH wrote: ↑Sat Aug 09, 2025 1:06 am yo, i just throw mine in a 5 gal bucket for a week and call it good. never had issues, but maybe i'm just lucky. what's the worst that could happen?

Bruh, that's sketchy. You're gonna end up with a tank full of sick fish one day. At least use a proper tank with a heater.

Thanks for the advice, everyone. I'll set up a proper quarantine tank and keep an eye on the water params.

tideon wrote: ↑Sat Aug 09, 2025 4:05 am Thanks for the advice, everyone. I'll set up a proper quarantine tank and keep an eye on the water params.

Good call. It's worth the extra effort to avoid introducing diseases to your main tank. Let us know how it goes.

Also, don't forget to acclimate them slowly when moving from quarantine to the main tank. Sudden changes in water chemistry can stress them out.

Yep, drip acclimation is the way to go. Takes like an hour, but it's chill. Better safe than sorry, right?

man, y'all making this sound like rocket science. my fish are fine, but i guess i'll try the fancy quarantine thing next time.