Creating ideal conditions for new aquarium arrivals
As a fish or aquarium owner, it's important to create a good environment for your fish to thrive in. One crucial step in achieving this is fish acclimation, which is the process of slowly introducing fish to their new environment to avoid shock and stress. Acclimation helps fish adjust to new water conditions, such as temperature and pH, while minimizing the risk of disease or injury. When specimens from our online fish store are suddenly introduced to a new environment, they may experience stress, which can weaken their immune system and make them more susceptible to disease. Proper acclimation can help prevent this and increase the chances of your fish thriving in their new home.
If you want your fish to live long, healthy lives, it's important to take the time to properly acclimate them to their new environment. Read through the advice from our iFISH Store staff down below and check out our other important freshwater compatibility charts!
Why should you acclimate
your new arrivals?
You've invested valuable time and money researching the habitat requirements of the fish you wish to house. Naturally, you want to protect this investment by executing a proper acclimation process once your fish arrive at your door. The water your iFISH Store fish arrive in may have different water parameters than your fish tank including different temperature, pH, ammonia, nitrite, or nitrate. Fish are very sensitive to even minor changes in these parameters, so proper acclimation is the key to ensuring their successful relocation.
Follow these simple steps to
acclimate your new arrivals:
- Never open the shipping box in a brightly lit area. Sudden bright light, after being in a dark box, can be stressful to your new fish. Turn the light off in your fish tank and float the bag in the tank for 15 minutes. This is to start adjusting the temperature.
- After 15 minutes, open the bag and place the fish, with the water it arrived in, into a clean bucket or container (Note: this means the bucket or container has never contained any soap or chemicals which may be harmful to your fish.)
- Add half a cup of water from the tank your new arrivals will be placed in into the bucket or container. Repeat this step every five minutes for 15 minutes.
- Next, discard half of the water from the bucket or container, and continue adding half a cup every five minutes for another 15 minutes.
- Carefully net the fish from the container and release them into their new home. Discard all of the acclimation water. DO NOT add it to your tank.
- After your new fish are introduced to your tank, leave the lights off for a few hours. Do not be alarmed if your new fish don’t start eating right away. Most fish will take a day or so to feel comfortable to eat.
Why follow our iFISH Store advice
In addition to browsing our Freshwater Fish Compatibility Charts prior to adding a new fish into the mix, it’s important to follow the steps outlined above every single time. Always follow this acclimation procedure, even if your new fish appears dead. They will normally be revived when the above procedure is correctly followed.
Compability Charts
Common acclimation mistakes to avoid
Follow our helpful tips and tricks for healthy fish!
1
NOT ALLOWING ENOUGH TIME FOR ACCLIMATION
Rushing this process can lead to
Shock or stress.
2
NOT TESTING THE WATER PARAMETERS
A sudden change in water chemistry can be harmful to fish.
3
NOT GRADUALLY ADJUSTING WATER TEMPERATURE
Water temperature is critical for the health of fish.
4
ADDING FISH DIRECTLY TO THE TANK
This can cause stress, shock, or even death.
Care for your fish with our freshwater compatibility charts and other resources!
Got questions? Contact us!
View our fish store’s other care instructions
Make sure all your other iFISH Store aquarium additions live long and happy lives! Check out the other Guides/Charts we have to help you create the healthiest environment possible in your aquarium. Contact us as well if you have any questions!