Setting up a Quarantine System

Quarantine System General Advice

• Make sure the Quarantine system is a suitable size and not too small.

• Quarantine tanks should be heated if possible have adequate filtration and aeration

• Ideally make sure the water conditions exactly match those from which the fish originated – create a replica environment.

• Observe fish in the quarantine tank as frequently as possible and react quickly if needed. Should additional health problems arise contact your local Koi retailer.

Quarantining New Fish Bought from a Koi Dealer

Once you have selected a Koi to purchase after looking at vital pre-purchase signs, such as the fish being well cared for, in a clean and well kept shop environment. Look at the rest of the fish stock with which the Koi is currently being kept. Make sure you are satisfied all fish look healthy and are swimming around as you would expect them to be. If you see visible signs of sick fish, fish hanging near the water surface or even fish floating on the surface, walk away, even if you really like the look of the fish.
If you are satisfied the fish are swimming around, in good condition and will feed on food when you feed them. At this point if you are happy, then you are in a position to transport the Koi to your home quarantine system.

• When transporting Koi, ensure you use Pond Stress Go - New Fish Stress Reducer into the transportation bag, this will calm and protect the fish during transport, also ensure you carry spare oxygen in case the transport bag needs topping up.

• Apply Pond Stress Go - New Fish Stress Reducer in to the quarantine system a couple of days before introducing the purchased fish.

• The quarantine system should be a close replica to the environment to which it is being introduced. Ensure you have adequate filtration in place and make sure the filters are matured using Pond Mature - Live Filter Bacteria. This will establish the filter, prior to introducing new fish - make sure in quarantine you do not expose fish to extensive stress of ammonia or Nitrite.

• Do not over feed during the quarantine period.

• After a couple of days, check the fish and look to introduce to the main pond.

• Feed a high quality food such as Medikoi Health to help improve the fish's immune system and prevent unwanted infections after introduction to the main pond.

Quarantining Sick Fish from Existing Pond

When treating a sick Koi, remove from existing environment and into your dedicated quarantine system.

• The quarantine system should be a close replica to the environment to which it being introduced. Ensure you have adequate filtration in place and make sure the filters are matured using Pond Mature - Live Filter Bacteria to establish the filter, prior to quarantine.

• Bath the sick Koi in a solution of Koi Care Permanganate Dip for 30 minutes to clean the fish prior to any treatment and seek the correct diagnosis?

• Avoid feeding large quantities of food as this will put unnecessary loading on filtration and the fish digestive system. Feed a small amount infrequently to see if the Koi reacts to it. Interest in feeding should be used as a positive guide to recovery.

• Observation of the quarantine tank is vital, react quickly if further problem arise. Call NT Labs Technical Support on 08446 920 043 and our technicians will advise on the best course of treatment.

• Quarantine the Koi for as long a necessary until the health problem is resolved, you don't want to risk it spreading to the rest of the fish stock by introducing prematurely.

• When satisfied the health problem has been resolved treat the main pond with Pond Stress Go - New Fish Stress Reducer and reintroduce the fish to the pond.

• Feed a high quality food such as Medikoi Health or Probiotic to aid recovery.