5 Tips for Acclimating New Residents to Your Fish Tank

When introducing fish to an existing or new aquarium, the safety and health of both the new fish and any already established fish should be of the utmost concern. In addition to ensuring the habitat is properly set up for a new addition, care must be taken so the new fish won’t harm any other fish. To safely acclimate one or more new fish to your aquarium, there are a few key steps to follow. The staff at Aquatic Warehouse, a trusted aquarium supplier, recommend following these five tips.

1. Test Your Aquarium’s Current Conditions

Any new additions to an existing aquarium shouldn’t result in overcrowding and should have needs compatible with the fish already in the tank. If your tank hasn’t had fish in it before, start with a few very hardy fish. Don’t overfeed them, and add beneficial bacteria for three weeks until your tank cycles. If there’s no ammonia or nitrite after three weeks’ time, do a small water change, then add new fish.

2. Evaluate Fish Before You Buy Them

Once you’ve determined the types of fish that are compatible with your new or established aquarium, evaluate the health of any fish before purchasing. Avoid purchasing fish that seem disoriented or have any visible damage on the body or fins. Fish that are already injured may have more difficulty integrating and surviving within an established tank. Any fish that displays visible disease should also be avoided, as certain species of fish disease can spread easily within a population.

3. Consider Quarantining the New Fish for a Short Time

After purchasing new fish, it’s important to watch them closely for the first two weeks to ensure they’re continuing on a healthy course. Some aquarists quarantine their new arrivals in a separate tank for a short period, even if they appear healthy. By quarantining the fish, you can more closely observe them while slowly acclimating them to the tank’s water and temperature. This method works well if the tank has a good, established filter and heater, but it can add stress to an already healthy fish if you must cycle the acclimation tank with your new houseguest!

4. Slowly Acclimate New Fish to the Water

Even water that’s chemically treated and dechlorinated can differ from other pure water. Temperature and pH differences between the tank water and transportation container’s water can also shock and potentially kill a new fish. The simplest way to acclimate fish is by slowly adding tank water into whatever container the new fish is in over a time span of 30 to 45 minutes. Though you may have heard that you need to float the bag in the aquarium to allow the store’s water to slowly warm to the tank’s temperature, this isn’t necessary unless the room you’re drip acclimating in is unusually cold. While acclimating, avoid allowing any of the water from the container to enter the existing tank. A net can be used to quickly and easily transfer the fish to the new aquarium, but a better way is to pour all of the water out of the bag over the container and just slip the fish from the empty bag into your aquarium. The less you have to use nets, the better.

5. Observe the New Fish

After the new fish have been added, continue observing them as they explore the new environment. By monitoring the situation, you can prevent disputes or aggressive behavior that may arise between the new fish and the established fish. Although the new fish may initially appear skittish, observation allows you to notice and remedy any additional issues that might occur.

Once the fish have been acclimated to your aquarium, make sure to feed them the highest quality food, add some beneficial bacteria to the tank, and take additional steps to keep them thriving. If you’ve just started a new tank, there are a variety of supplies you might need to keep it running smoothly. Whether you need a filter, heater, or aquarium dosing pump, you can find what you’re looking for at Aquatic Warehouse. Come visit us in person at our store in Kearny Mesa, or give us a call at 858-467-9297.