when is it safe after fish deaths?

AudraM

AC Members
Jan 2, 2008
65
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Queen Creek, AZ
I recently had a bunch of fish deaths. I took some of the bodies into my local lfs, who determined they had internal parasites. Right after that diagnosis, they all developed ich. The ich is gone but I lost more than half my fish. I've tried several medications, but the fish won't eat the medicated food, so I've just been keeping the tank clean and waiting it out. I thought we were over it since I haven't had a fish death in about a week, then I had one today. I know you usually quarantine fish for 2-4 weeks, so I knew we weren't out of the woods altogether, but I really didn't expect to lose another fish. How long do I wait before I can be pretty sure the fish remaining are healthy?
 
After you know exactly what your problem was, and have made sure that the issue has been eradicated.... I would give it at least 6-8 weeks. Better safe than sorry.
 
I am another who will recommend a long waiting period of stability. QT for me on any thing new should be at least 4 weeks, longer if any signs of something develops in the first two.
 
after my silver aro died i waited a good couple of months just in case , i think also it was just incase it happend again but every thing is ok in that tank now
 
if you have a separate tank you can use as a quarantine tank, you could get more fish now and keep them in QT. if you have no more deaths or signs of illness in either tank after 4 weeks then you can put them together in the main tank. remember - you should QT for 3-4 weeks of health, not just 3-4 weeks no matter what. if a fish gets sick on the last day of QT, you treat the illness and once the fish is healthy again your 3-4 week countdown starts over.
 
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