Hello, just looking for some advice on a plant I have in quarantine at the moment from my goldy tank.

If you've read my 'Droncit' topic, you'll know that since Christmas I've been treating my fish for parasites. I now believe this to have been flukes. During treatment I added salt to the tank - the only plant in there that didn't like this was the Amazon Sword, so I moved it to my QT. It's been there since the start of December, with only some other plants, no fish. Obviously the pararsites would have been on the plant too when it was moved to QT, but I'm wondering if it would be safe to move it back to the main tank? I'm just not sure, so thought I'd get opinion on this!

It's been in QT for 2 months now and I've read that flukes must find a host within a few hours or they die. So, in theory, there shouldn't be any nasties in the QT or on the plant. But, should I risk this, or am I being paranoid? I'm not keen on adding anything chemically to the QT. Do you guys think I'm risking infecting my main tank again by moving the plant back or should I just chuck it in the bin?

Thoughts please! Thanks.

If in doubt, chuck it out! One of my mantras at work

Seriously though, I've had a bit of a google and I can't find much info on how long the little devils last without a host apart from one website which seemed to think the eggs could last weeks in cold temps http://www.goldfishconnection.com/art ... articleId=167&parentId=10

I'd rather ditch the plant than go through all the de-fluking again, treat yourself to a new one (or two, or three ...) to celebrate the ousting of the flukes

Miss P,
I, again, would think it would be fine. Or what is the use of quarantining any plants? If in doubt give it a wash in a mild solution of permanganate, but I don't think it is necessary.

Thanks for your replies - not sure what to do now!

It's a nice plant and it's grown well submerged which is the only reason I'm loathed to ditch it. I don't see how any parasite could survive that long without a host, but, I'm not an expert! Not sure if it's worth the risk. I could rinse it under the tap I suppose.

Frances - yeah, we do quarantine plants don't we? So nasties die off before the plant goes near the tank. Good point.

Anyone else any thoughts on this?

On the same subject, perhaps a silly question but here goes! Before adding new plants to my tank I quarantine for a few days, then rinse under the tap, then sit in some dechlorinated water before planting. But I have a moss ball which I bought online and I'm not sure if I should rinse it under the tap incase it soaks up all the chlorine water!! It's like a sponge! Funny thing! Any ideas on this one?! The plants I buy are from an online retailer and they only sell Tropica so I've always assumed they were probably parasite free anyway since they weren't grown with fish. Make sense?!

I've just bought some more mossballs online too - I've had a number over the years (Dilys has singlehandedly eaten at least 10 in her time) - I always sit them in a jug of tapwater for a day, then squeeze them out well and put them in the tank. Give them a bit of a squeeze in the tank to get them to sink and everything has been fine and dandy so far

Thanks Sue, good to know that's an option then. I will just rinse it under the tap with the other plants then. Thanks.