Introducing new fish into your aquarium
There are a number of things to take into account when adding fish to the new water. Firstly, fish don’t like surprises, this means they don’t react well to rapid changes in temperature or changes in water. This blog will cover the bases of how to introduce your fish correctly.
To start the transition, it is recommended that you add a dose of water conditioner just to ensure that the water is safe for your fish to swim in. Depending on what type of conditioner you are using will depend on how much you should use, read the instructions on the container.
This is due to the fact that our tap water is treated with chemicals to make it safe for us to use. These compounds are not typically safe for fish. For example, Chlorine is used to disinfect our water and make it safe to drink but to a fish, chlorine is toxic depending on the levels in the water.
Even at low levels fish’s gills and scales may become irritated causing breathing issues. More often than not this results in death.
1. Turn off the aquarium lights during this process and float the bag containing the fish in the water for about 20 minutes. This allows them to get used to the temperature.
2. Next, you will want to open the bag and pour a cup full of your aquarium water into the bag.
3. Wait ten minutes and then repeat this process again. This allows the fish to get used to the PH scale of your water, increasing their chances of tolerating it.
4. After you have done this carefully remove the fish with your net. We recommend you release them with the net to avoid mixing the water from the bag with your aquarium water.
Your fish should now be adjusted to the temperature and the water in your aquarium. As you have given them a period of adjustment. They have been in the water for a while and gotten used to it rather than being dropped straight in.
If the fish are the first in your aquarium, do not feed for 48 hours! This gives the fish chance to settle into the aquarium and get used to its new surroundings. You don’t want to cause the fish to become bloated, or even over feed the fish.
