Quarantine is boring until it saves your whole tank. For guppies, a simple 14-day quarantine catches the problems that usually appear after shipping and settling: stress-related infections, parasites that show up days later, and “silent” issues that only appear once fish begin feeding normally.
Minimal quarantine setup
- Tank: 20–40L is enough for a small group.
- Filter: sponge filter is ideal (gentle, easy to clean). If you can seed it with mature media, even better.
- Heater + thermometer: keep 24–26°C stable.
- Simple cover: a small plant clump or inert decor so fish feel secure.
The 14-day routine
- Days 1–2: settle in — keep lights low, feed lightly, and watch breathing and posture.
- Days 3–7: observe patterns — appetite should improve, fins should open, and fish should cruise calmly.
- Days 8–14: confirm stability — maintain your normal feed rhythm and do routine water changes like you would in the main tank.
What to watch for (without paranoia)
- Flashing/scratching: can be irritation or parasites, but test ammonia/nitrite first.
- Clamped fins: often stress from water or temperature swings.
- White spots: consider ich, but confirm water stability so fish can handle treatment.
- Rapid breathing: check oxygen and temperature, then water parameters.
Water changes are your best “treatment”
Quarantine tanks are usually smaller, so they swing faster. Consistent 20–30% changes and steady temperature solve most early issues. If you need to medicate, treating in quarantine is safer because you avoid stressing plants, shrimp, snails, and biofilters in your display tank.
When to move fish to the main tank
Move only when appetite is strong, fins are open, and behaviour looks normal for several days. Acclimate gently, and avoid stacking stress (don’t do a huge rescape or add more new fish the same week).
If you want a quarantine routine that matches your exact stock and tank size, reach out with your litres and current water readings and we’ll suggest a low-effort plan that works.
