The Protocol
Quarantined. Conditioned. Allocated.
Extreme Marine Labs is a low-volume marine livestock retailer built around controlled, documented preparation. We run biosecure systems, structured observation, and criteria-led progression—so fish are released only when they meet standard.
We keep volume intentionally low so every specimen can be monitored, conditioned, and verified through the full protocol—not rushed to meet a sales timetable.
What “Quarantine” means here
Quarantine at Extreme Marine Labs is a 14-day controlled period in separate, biosecure systems. It is designed to:
- reduce parasite and pathogen risk (where appropriate)
- stabilise condition and behaviour
- establish routine and resilience
- verify feeding response before any release is offered
Important: Species sensitivity varies. Some fish follow an alternative track (see “Exceptions” below).
Prophylactic program
Most fish entering the lab follow our standard prophylactic track targeting the five most common, high-impact marine disease risks:
- Ich (Cryptocaryon irritans)
- Velvet (Amyloodinium ocellatum)
- Brook (Brooklynella)
- Uronema
- Flukes (monogeneans)
Treatments and chemical handling are performed under strict control with dedicated equipment, monitoring, and documentation.
We do not publish dosing instructions. Treatments are conducted under controlled conditions with dedicated systems and monitoring.
Step-by-step: 14-day quarantine timeline
Step 1 — Intake and acclimation (Day 0)
Goal: reduce transport stress and stabilise the fish before quarantine progression.
- Temperature and salinity alignment in a calm, low-light environment
- No cross-contamination: intake water is never introduced into established systems
- Visual and behavioural baseline recorded before treatment steps begin
Step 2 — Formalin bath (Day 0)
Goal: immediate external parasite risk reduction at intake.
- A controlled formalin bath is performed as the first active step of the 14-day protocol
- Fish are observed continuously during the bath and throughout recovery
- Progression is criteria-based (if the fish isn’t stable, the timeline pauses and the plan adapts)
Step 3 — Copper phase and Nitrofurazone support (Days 1–14)
Goal: sustained risk management and stability through the quarantine window.
- Fish enter a controlled copper-managed environment
- Copper is actively monitored and kept within our validated range (tested and logged)
- Where indicated, we run a course of Nitrofurazone as part of the 14-day track
- Observation is structured and logged daily (behaviour, respiration, body condition, and feeding attempts)
Step 4 — System water change schedule (every 3–4 days)
Goal: maintain water quality, reduce metabolite load, and keep the fish in a stable, predictable environment.
- The quarantine system receives a full system water change every 3–4 days
- A formalin bath is performed the day before:
the first water change
the second water change - This is paired with close post-change observation and condition tracking
Step 5 — Day 14 assessment (end of quarantine window)
Goal: decide whether the fish is ready for conditioning and release or requires extension.
At Day 14, we assess:
- stability and presentation over time
- respiration and behaviour consistency
- body condition trend
- feeding reliability (see below)
If any release criteria are not met, quarantine is extended until the fish meets standard.
Feeding Verified
A fish is not offered for allocation until it demonstrates a repeatable feeding response consistent with its species.
“Feeding Verified” means:
- not a one-off peck
- not only feeding under extreme target-feeding conditions
- not feeding that collapses when routine changes
We verify:
- consistency across multiple feeds
- appropriate prepared foods for the species
- stable condition while feeding is established
Conditioning and allocation
Once quarantine criteria are met, we move into conditioning (routine, confidence, and resilience).
Only then do we offer the fish as:
- Available Fish (regular release stock)
- Collector Grade (By Request) (specialist sourcing and allocation-led species)
We do not use “stocking review” language. We match fish to systems through practical suitability and husbandry realism—so the fish has the best chance of long-term success.
Exceptions and species-led adjustments
Not every species tolerates the same approach. A minority of fish follow an alternative protocol based on sensitivity, intake condition, or behavioural stress response.
Where an exception track is used:
- it is documented
- timelines can be longer
- the release standard does not change: stable, feeding reliably, and condition maintained
Documentation
Every specimen is tracked through:
- intake notes and baseline condition
- daily observation logs
- treatment stage logs
- feeding progression notes
- release criteria sign-off
This is what “lab over shop” means: every fish has a recorded preparation history.