Quarantine or Not?

HI everyone, 1. When getting new fish and there is NO fish in the tank that they will be housed in, do you still need to quarantine or could you just put them in their new home right away? 2. Can 2 mollies be enough to cycle a 30 gal with established media? 3.If female mollies are seperated from the males so they won't breed,will the females/males/ be okay like this or would they start getting aggressive with their own sex? Thank you all very much!

 

The tank is essentially a quarantine tank when you put the first fish in. Yes 2 mollies will maintain the cycle with established media. I'm not sure about separating them.

 

I have had 2 female mollies without any problems. They came from a 29G tank. The only problems I ever had was with the male.

 

Good afternoon,

Any time that I set up a new aquarium for new fish, the new aquarium is the quarantine tank at least for the first group of fish. I recommend Quarantine for 1 month.

Remember that it's best to only add two or three fish, really depending on the species, when starting a new aquarium and using the Seeding method with established filter media.

After the first group of fish is out of quarantine, from this point on I would recommend a separate quarantine tank.

https://www.fishlore.com/aquariumfishforum/threads/how-to-set-up-a-quarantine-tank.69685/
https://www.fishlore.com/aquariumfishforum/threads/quick-and-dirty-quarantine-setup.34328/

Since you are Seeding the aquarium, the purpose is for an instant cycle. Adding two or three fish. I think Molly's would do well. However, you do not always get an instant cycle, (see link below), and if this happens then daily water changes with Prime or Amquel + will be necessary until it does cycle.

The established filter media will surely cut down the amount of time that it takes to cycle, if the cycle isn't instant:
https://www.fishlore.com/aquariumfi...-cycling-with-established-filter-media.66727/

Most live bearers can store sperm for up to 6 months or so and can produce fry without a male in the tank.

Good luck with your cycle. Keep us posted.

Ken

 

If they have been with the males and are old enough, they are probably pregnant.

 

I have had 2 female mollies without any problems. They came from a 29G tank. The only problems I ever had was with the male.

The males fighting each other or messing with the females?

Thanks everyone! You have helped me out alot!

 

I have 12 KuhlI loaches waiting on my doorstep currently from Liveaquaria for when I get home in about 20 minutes and I'm on the fence. My cycled 10 gallon quarantine has 3 cardinal tetras in it that were moved from my 36 gallon because of bullying from my ram. I was planning on scooping the very small layer of gravel I have (the cardinals seemed stressed by the mirror effect and I had half a bag laying around) and quarantining them with the cardinals to observe them, but would a 10 gallon be too small for 12 loaches for 1-2 weeks, or would it be better to add them straight to my 36g with my 2 other kuhlis and watch them closely?

 

I would say go ahead and quarantine. 10 gallons isn't too small as a temporary holding cell I shouldn't think. Just give them something to hide under so they feel more secure

 

Quarantine, even if they come from a reputable place/breeder.

 

Always quarantine, though many quarantines are 10 gallons.

 

I read an article that argued against quarantine. He said that fish typically get diseases when under stress or in poor water quality.

Putting a fish into quarantine, followed by another move into the main tank, creates stress, which could actually cause disease that would not have happened if just put directly into the tank.

Thoughts?

I know quarantine is SAFEST, but is there anyone on the forum that just put them right in the main display?

 

I placed my cories into my tank without quarantine. There was no quarantine because they all came from the same tank and if they did get sick then it would be contained in their tank. I think you should quarantine every fish if you already have fish in your main tank, if they’re coming from different tanks and if you’re adding a large quantity of fish.

 

Stress and poor water quality during qt would only be an issue if you don't have a proper qt set up. As far as to qt or not qt that comes down to how lucky you feel. I didn't for the longest time till I had 3 little fish take down my 55 and 75 gallon tank. Once you go threw that qt isn't even a question its a given.