Aquatic organisms are often affected with mild chronic diseases or are asymptomatic carriers. Although it is preferable to obtain stocks from production sites that have been certified as free from specified diseases and parasites for a period of at least one year, often it is necessary to obtain certain species from wild sources. Organisms obtained from wild conditions or from uncertified producers should be maintained in quarantine or isolation until free of any overt signs or symptoms of disease and parasites and they are determined to be healthy.

1. Select (if possible) location for wild collection with known history regarding parasites, disease, contaminants, etc.
2. Fishes obtained from nature should be suspected of being carriers of various parasites, bacteria or viruses.
3. One option to deal with potentially infected fish as soon as possible is to conduct a field prophylactic treatment, such as a formalin bath. You will need clean water to transport organisms. In some cases chemical treatment of wild organisms is not acceptable, because of the nature of the research to be conducted or the sensitivity to the specific organism.
4. Try to minimize stress during the transport back to the laboratory. Cover the transport tank, avoid temperature fluctuations, keep sufficient oxygen levels, and handle the organisms as little as possible.
5. As a regular practice, regardless of the similarity of water characteristics, organisms should be conditioned to the rearing water in the laboratory by slow dilution of the transport water.
6. The temperature of the water used in transporting fish should be as close as possible to that of the water in the laboratory; otherwise it should be adjusted at a rate of 1° C (2° F) per hour.
7. If a field treatment is not possible or desired, a bath treatment or series of bath treatments should be done in the laboratory. The fish will probably be exhibiting some degree of stress from the transport and new environment, and stress can increase the probability of a disease or parasitic outbreak. If an infestation is detected, select an appropriate treatment and follow the recommended procedures. A bacterial infestation would be treated differently than a parasitic infestation. For example, when external parasitic organisms are present on fish, daily one hour baths at 167-250 mg/L of formalin (Paracide-F) are often effective. Again, chemical treatments may not be an option for some organisms depending on the nature of the research.
8. Monitor organisms during the treatment and do a follow up examination to determine the effectiveness of any treatment used.
9. Groups of incoming organisms should be kept separate depending on intended use and environmental rearing requirements.
10. Use an isolated area. This will minimize the chance of contaminated water from the quarantined tank(s) being inadvertently splashed into "clean" tanks.
11. Dedicate supplies and equipment for the quarantine practice. Do not use the same equipment (nets, buckets, feeders, siphons, thermometers, cleaning supplies, etc.) on quarantined tanks and clean tanks. Anything that touches a quarantined tank, including employees' hands must be completely cleaned with an effective and approved disinfectant before it can be used in a clean tank. An example of a disinfectant would be Betadine.
12. Monitor quarantine organisms frequently. Be aware of the normal behavior of the organisms. A slight deviation of that behavior could indicate a potential infestation.
13. During quarantine, no transfer of organism, water, or any equipment between tanks is permissible.
14. After the recommended treatment(s), any organisms showing signs of illness that are unsuitable for experimental purposes should be euthanized and properly disposed of.
15. Physiological stress induced in wild fish during netting, trapping, electric shocking, and transporting may make them susceptible to disease and generally renders them unfit for research until they are conditioned to the laboratory environment. Depending on the nature of the research, fishes should be conditioned to temperature, water, diet and the general laboratory environment.
16. The length of the conditioning period should depend on the nature of the experiment and be of sufficient time to determine that all organisms are healthy and are feeding. Whenever practical, a conditioning period of at least six weeks is recommended.
17. Practice Prevention / Practice Laboratory Hygiene

    This is the most effective and least costly technique. Keep all laboratory equipment sanitized and organized. All equipment used for quarantined areas should be stored in a separate location from non-quarantined use equipment. The floor will harbor many organisms from contaminated spilled water. A simple but important rule is: Any equipment that is dropped or touches the floor should be completely disinfected before being used in a tank. Also wash hands before placing them in any tank.

18. Instruct all laboratory staff on the quarantine procedure. Anybody that will be in the quarantined area must know the procedures to prevent cross-contamination.