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When sick fish are present in a 10 gal. tank with other fish who are not sick what is the best course of action? (For example, should the sick fish be quarantined? What kind of diseases are contagous?)

Most all diseases are contageous, but some have stronger immune systems than others and can fight off different diseases. Also, stress lowers the immune system of fish, and thus the once strong immune systems of some fish, can now catch the disease easier. There are way too many diseases to list and go into.

As for a QT (Quarantine Tank) this is a good thing for a couple of reasons. This separates the sick fish from the other non-sick fish that may or may not catch the disease. This has you treating a separate tank instead of your main tank. As some meds will color the water and stain the decor as well as even stain the silicone in the corners of the tank. Some meds will also kill off the beneficial bacteria of the main tank, so a QT will prevent this from happening. Treating with meds can sometimes cause stress in the fish themselves. And thus, if the wrong med is used, then the otherwise healthy fish, are now stressed and can actually catch the disease. In the end, a QT is a good way to go.

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There is always a bigger fish...

definitly get a QT that way u know that your other fish wont get it(what ever the sickness may be) well good luck with your sick fish

good luck

again that ten gallon is proabably overstocked, and that is a problem, b/c the more fishes, the chances increase of a bad fish, new fish should be QT, and u need to get another 10 for a hospitol tank.