What are the quarantine recommendations for zebrafish?

Bringing new fish into a facility can also bring in new pathogens. The use of strict quarantine practices (i.e., introducing only surface sanitized embryos) can eliminate a large number of potential pathogens from entering a facility and is strongly recommended for all laboratory zebrafish colonies. When adult fish are acquired they are held in quarantine until they can successfully breed and only bleached embryos are introduced into the main facility or system. The ideal quarantine area is a room completely separated from the main fish facility on a flow-through water system. Small facilities often utilize individual aquariums or small recirculating systems in a designated quarantine area. Fish are observed and acclimated in quarantine for a minimum of two weeks prior to breeding. If fish show clinical disease within this period they should be treated or euthanized, depending on the value of the particular fish. Quarantined fish are bred and only bleached embryos leave the ...  more