🐠 Freshwater Fish Acclimation Guide
Proper acclimation is essential to ensure a smooth transition for your new fish into their new environment. Sudden changes in temperature, pH, or water chemistry can cause stress or shock. Follow this simple guide to help your fish settle in safely.
- Fish are about 80% water - Water has an enormous effect (good or bad) on all fish.
- Fish are quite resilient - can tolerate gradual changes, and can adapt to a variety of living conditions - good or bad.
- Not all the water is created equal
-
Shock can kill
- “PH Shock” and “Temperature Shock” are the primary killers of most new arrivals. If new fish are not acclimated properly the ultimate effects of shock will cause disease and unexplained deaths.
-
Shock is preventable.
- There are simple steps that should be taken to acclimate (adjust) new fish to their environment. Remember an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
🧊 Step 1: Float the Bag (15–20 Minutes)
Place the sealed bag containing the fish into your aquarium. This allows the water temperature inside the bag to slowly match your tank’s temperature. Do not open the bag yet.
💧 Step 2: Gradual Water Mixing (15–30 Minutes)
After floating, open the bag and roll down the edges to create an air pocket so it floats. Every 5 minutes, add a small amount (about 1/4 cup) of tank water into the bag. Repeat this process for 15–30 minutes to slowly adjust the fish to your water chemistry.
🐟 Step 3: Transfer the Fish
Once the acclimation period is complete, gently net the fish out of the bag and place it into the tank. Do not pour the bag water into your aquarium to avoid introducing any potential contaminants.
🛑 Important Tips
-
Keep aquarium lights off during acclimation to reduce stress.
-
Monitor your fish for signs of stress or illness over the next 48 hours.
-
Avoid feeding your fish immediately—wait a few hours to let them adjust.
Giving your fish a careful introduction is the first step to a healthy and happy aquarium!
