Who Gives A Fish Forums

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?

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.

flamberg wrote: ↑Fri Aug 15, 2025 6:09 pm 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.

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.

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

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.

flamberg wrote: ↑Fri Aug 15, 2025 10:19 pm 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.

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.