How to Add New Tropical Fish to Your Tank

Introducing your new tropical fish to your fish tank isn't as straightforward as just dropping them into the environment. A little preparation is required to move your fish safely into their new home.

Steps

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    Choose some healthy fish from your local pet shop or aquarium center. Make sure the breeds of fish that you have are compatible and get along: e.g. Do not put bettas and guppies together as the betta's tail may be nipped at.
    • Most pet stores will have attendants who can advise you about what fish will be able to share a tank without causing one another harm.
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    Bring your tropical fish home. When transporting the fish home, cover the bag with something. This helps to reduce the stress experienced by the fish during transportation back to your chosen location.
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    Once home, let the bag float in the water of the tropical tank for 15-30 minutes. This is so your new fish will get use to the temperature of the water in your tank. The water they have just been brought from may have been a different temperature from the water in your tank, so this process of acclimation is important.
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    Open the bag. Being very careful not to spill any of the water into the tank, get a clean cup and put some tank water into the bag (so the amount of water in the bag is now doubled).
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    Allow the bag to float for 15 more minutes.
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    Take the bag out of the tank. Open it.
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    Put your net inside the bag with your tropical fish in and scoop up the fish gently.
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    Pull out the net from the bag gently and hold the net inside the water in the tank, until the fish swims out of the net and into the tank. Do this for all the fish you bought, until they're all safely in the tank.
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    Pour the water out of the bag down the drain or into the sink and dispose of the plastic bag. It is important that you do not pour the water from the bag into your tank, as this water may contain germs or diseases from the pet store. This may result in a deaths or illness to your fish.

Tips

  • Sit and watch your tropical fish after putting them in your tank, to make sure that they aren't being bullied or killed by the others.
  • Always be careful when transporting your fish.

Warnings

  • Always cycle your tank before adding any fish! In case of being a new tank make sure you make PH and Ammonia tests to check if water parameters are all right.

Article Info

Categories: Fish