On Sat, 15 May 2004 21:23:21 -0400, "NetMax"
wrote:


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
--
www.NetMax.tk


Your analysis makes sense and I have little experience, but the fish I
keep in my Q tank have not picked up anything from the few fish that
died in that same tank. However, I usually keep a fish in the Q tank
once moved there. Yesterday, I moved my runt Clown Loach back to the
tank he made caves in. It is loaded with small snails. I hope he
doesn't over eat. He sure remembers the tank. He went around and
around the rocks under which he had made his cave. It is totally
gone. I did take sympathy on him and move a castle like ornament from
the Q tank. It is his favorite haunt. He took to that very quickly.