Question about formalin bath

[jasontk]

I have a question about the method of formalin baths posted in the FAQ, it says to do a bath every other day for 3-5 treatments, but is it OK to put the fish back in the display? Seems like it would not be, but I'm not sure what to do. I only have two fish in my tank and both seem to be infected so both will be treated. (I believe it to be Brooklynella)

 

[robvia]

If you are dipping both fish and they are the only fish in the tank, you could put both back in the display. The problem will be if your tank is infected. If it is, it will come back later. In order to "clean the tank", you must remove the hosts and give the parasite time to die off. That could only be done with a QT tank. It may take up to a month for the parasite to die. You may find that a bath and a large water change (about 20%) may cure the fish and it may not come back. If you don't QT you should be prepaired for it to came back later.
Rob

 

[jasontk]

Ah... ok. This is what I suspected, I will be taking them both out and leave them in a QT soon but for now I wanted to treat them and put them back in. I plan on leaving the tank fish free for at least a month. Thanks for the help!