Quarantining process for import fish

[Ben Rhau]

Hi all,

I'm interested in working with fish that I can only obtain from an importer or transshipper. For those who have done this, do you treat the quarantine process any differently than you would buying from a local breeder or LFS? For example, I've never medicated my fish in quarantine, but I know that a lot of importers do. Is this particularly more important or relevant to do for these fish? The hunter and transhippers have great reputations, but you never know what can happen, since their volume is high.

Cheers

 

[Mike Wise]

I treat both imported and domestic fish the same; never medicate unless I know there is a specific problem.

 

[MacZ]

I treat both imported and domestic fish the same; never medicate unless I know there is a specific problem.

Dito.

When we still imported wild caughts from the Rift Lakes we used to deworm, though. But that was 20-30 years ago.

 

[Bowluvr]

Hi all,

I'm interested in working with fish that I can only obtain from an importer or transshipper. For those who have done this, do you treat the quarantine process any differently than you would buying from a local breeder or LFS? For example, I've never medicated my fish in quarantine, but I know that a lot of importers do. Is this particularly more important or relevant to do for these fish? The hunter and transhippers have great reputations, but you never know what can happen, since their volume is high.

Cheers

If your importer holds the fish they bring in and treats (some do so this is important to know), then you won't necessarily need to do so. Otherwise deworming is generally the only thing that should probably be done to them, unless and until you see symptoms of something else going on. Have antibiotics on hand to treat any infections arising from injuries/stress sustained in travel to you. I would also be sure to use botanicals straight away, as they contain antibacterial and antifungal properties that may be enough to keep early-stage infections from becoming strong enough to require medicating. I'm excited to see what you bring in!

 

[Ben Rhau]

Otherwise deworming is generally the only thing that should probably be done to them, unless and until you see symptoms of something else going on.

@Bowluvr Thanks! And what do you use here, levamisole? If it does go through the importer, I'll ask what he does.
@Mike Wise I assume you do not preemptively deworm, given your response above?

I would also be sure to use botanicals straight away, as they contain antibacterial and antifungal properties that may be enough to keep early-stage infections from becoming strong enough to require medicating.

Yes, they'll be going straight into blackwater tanks, so they're already heavy on botanicals and with a pH of 5 or below.

I'm excited to see what you bring in!

They're not cichlids! So I probably can't post them here or the Band. I'm not sure if you're on any forums/groups that cover labyrinth fish, but I can message you some glam shots . I'm preparing the tanks for Parosphromenus spp, and one of the tanks will have some sympatric species.

Cheers

 

[Mike Wise]

@Mike Wise I assume you do not preemptively deworm, given your response above?

No I do not, unless I see the fish have camelanus or if the fish eat well but remain thin.