"Ross Vandegrift" wrote in message
m...
On 2004-05-14, Dick wrote:
I would not suggest not putting your fish in the general population,
competition can be a killer.

Competition in the tank she's out of isn't too hardcore - there's a few
large tetras left and a pair of giant danios, but they aren't so bad.
In addition the tank has a fair amount of rocks and driftwood for
hiding
places. The serpaes tend to hide anyway - they've always liked the
spots behind the rockwork.

At any rate more time in quarantine probably won't hurt at all, so I'm
better off safe than sorry. I'm really more concerned about infecting
the rest of the tank. It's good to hear someone else say they've seen
a
serpae that seems to have terminal, but non-infectious swim bladder
issues.


--
Ross Vandegrift



Hi Ross. There are diseases which are not extremely contagious while the
fish is alive and well. Some diseases spread by ingestion, or by
bursting into the water column when the dead fish's skin is broken open.
As the disease grows inside them, the amount of contagion which is
finally released is much greater, or it might start seeping from them
before they die. This is why I think it's so important to isolate sick
fish and keep them isolated. It's easier to think of all fish diseases
as contagious. Just think about how all the fish in your aquarium are
interconnected by a fluid (water) which is approximately the same pH and
temperature as their blood. That makes it pretty easy for diseases to
spread around.

External parasitic conditions are not as worrisome if they are a type
which can be identified and easily treated. Genetic defects (like swim
bladder problems in Goldfish) are not contagious. I also don't worry too
much about war wounds and mechanical damage. If there is a secondary
infection from that, it's usually fungus which is everywhere, though if I
want to concentrate the treatment, then they go into isolation. However,
internal problems are often bacterial, and even if parasitic, I don't
want them getting out. ymmv, jmo
--
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