How are you supposed to introduce fish into a tank that already has fish?

Answer 1

Ideally when you get a new fish (of course making sure it is a fish compatible with your others), you are "supposed" to keep it quarantined for a while to make sure it's free of disease. I'm sure there are MANY people who don't follow this rule at all, let alone for 3-4 or more weeks. Myself included (sometimes I will, but mostly I don't.......my bad!!) Whether you quarantine or not, when it comes time to put the fish in the tank, generally, you should "float" the bag of water that has your fish in it in your fish tank for about 15 minutes. During this time the temperature in the bag with the fish will adjust to the tank water, so when you let the fish go you will not shock it with a temperature change. Also during this time you will see that the other fish will swim up to the bag checking it out, etc. When you are ready to put the fish in, DO NOT DUMP THE WATER FROM THE BAG IN TO THE TANK. Gently scoop the fish out into a net and then place it in the tank. This way, you will be sure that you are not dumping contaminated water in to your tank. Then, just keep your eye on them for a bit to make sure no one is going to get picked on. Usually you will have no problem. Sometimes, if you have a goldfish, they can get territorial. A simple fix for this though is to rearrange the tank prior to putting a new fish in. This sometimes mixes up the fish that's been in there longer, and makes him think he's in a new place, therefore, he'll start claiming his territory all over again, hence no agression. (I said this USUALLY works, lol......not every time, but most times.)
Well, I hope this helps you out. Good luck!! ;o)

Answer 2

I believe in order to get them used to the new water temperature you can put them in the tank, but leave them in the bag you bought them in. The water in the bag will change to the temperature in the tank. The other fish will be able to see the fish as well and get used to his presence. If you are still unsure or if the fish in the tank seem hostile, Im sure you could get a clear piece of glass or something and place it in the tank so that there are two sections in the tank. You can see how the fish react to seeing each other through the glass and if everyone gets along then you can remove the glass. If not you may not have a fish that is compatible with the others. Pet stores usually have books letting you know what fish can live with other peacefully. Hell, maybe a worker might even know, but I'd go with the book.

Answer 3

before buying make sure that all fish of your fish are compatible with one another. also, make sure that your tank is large enough to support more fish. check the pH of your tank. let the bag that the new fish are in float in the established tank for 15-20 mins so the water temperature change doesn't shock them. slowly pour the bag water/fish into the new tank, and keep a eye on your fish for the first 24-48 hours to make sure they've adapted to the change/are not ill.

Answer 4

you do no longer could pass and purchase the "good" water from the shop - you have all of the water you pick for magnificent there interior the previous tanks. in case you're no longer likely to be applying the tanks, seize the fish (a sparkling field is the simplest way of catching them and motives the least stress. Use the internet to motivate them in in case you're able to). as quickly as all of the fish are of their boxes, pass the gravel in the time of to the recent tank, take something of the water from the previous tanks and pour into the recent one. upload the previous filters' media to the recent filter out, disposing of as lots new media as you're able to make area for the previous media. this form, the filter out would be extra or much less cycled right away away. commence the recent filter out. place the fish of their new tank, and proper something of the tank up with sparkling water (from the faucet - yet use dechloronator and warmth a number of the water with the kettle in case you're able to). save on moving embellishes and flora etc. pass away the lighting fixtures off for some hours to enable the fish de-stress.

Answer 5

Most pet stores sell their fish in plastic bags. I used to float the plastic bags in the tank so the other fish can see the new fish. I did this for a couple of hours. Then I would cut a hole in the bag and let the fish find their own way out. When they were out of the bag, I would remove it and sit back and admire the new addition.

Answer 6

you should put the new fish's bag in the tank ( take out some water so it doesn't overflow when you put the bag in) leave the bag in there for 15-30 mins so then the water in the bag will be the same temp as in the tank and alll the old and current fish will have gotten some time to get used yo the fish

Answer 7

What i just learned recently kinda shocked me and made me realize how many fish i have lost because the idea of acclimatization was completely wrong

it's not about the temperature you have to worry about but the pH, when you introduce new fish

let's say your pH is 7.8, but the water from your LFS is 7.3, that makes 0.5 difference and is a enough for a fish to go into so called pH shock and die

To properly aclimate your fish, open your bag and float it in your tank without it beeing able to dipp over
add about 1/4 cup of your tank water to it, and repeat that every 15 min, until you have reached the time you know that the pH is adjusted. and never dump the water from your bag into your tank


0.1 difference is 15 min, so if you have a 0.5 difference you will need to repeat the procedure for up to 75 min
http://www.fishlesscycling.com/articles/acclimating_you_new_fish.html




Hope that helps
Good luck


EB

Answer 8

I think that you are supposed to leave them in the bag you bought them in at let them float for awhile to let them get used to the new water temperature and the other fish can kinda smell them. Then let them into the tank slowly and watch for a bit to make sure they are getting along okay.

Answer 9

"Ed, this is Roger. Roger, this is Ed. Play nice."

The only time you need to take special precautions is when you have territorial fish, like cichlids. If your fish are aggresive, rearrange the tank a little bit right before you add the new fish. That way, your current population won't be as territorial.