fish_products

Float the plastic bag (in which the fish were brought from the pet shop) on the water surface for about 20 minutes, while your fish get acclimatised to the water temperature. Make sure that there is plenty of air in the bag so that the fish do not suffocate. After 20 minutes add a cup full of your aquarium water to the water in the bag and float for another 5 minutes (to get use to your water quality). Now transfer the fish from the bag to the aquarium, using your fish net. Take care to handle the fish very gently as they will be very frightened. See selecting your tropical fish.

Cover the aquarium with the canopy and switch on the light. The canopy will prevent them from jumping out of the water. The aquarium light should be switched on for about half the day (12 hours). See heating and lighting aquariums. Check carefully to see that the fish have adapted themselves to the aquarium. Watch the fish closely. If they are "hiding in corners", "standing around", or moving very slowly, please check the following:

•• Water temperature correct around 24°C.

•• pH between 6.8 and 7.0.

•• Is the water cloudy, or has new water been added with a water conditioner.

•• Do the plants and rock allow hiding places for the fish?

•• Do any of the fish look sick? See list of common fish ailments.

Be careful not to overlook the following danger signs:

Fish swimming close to the surface and/or moving their gills very violently.

•• This usually means a lack of oxygen, most commonly caused by:

. . . . . o Inefficient or blocked filters

. . . . . o Water pollution caused by excess food

. . . . . o Poor aeration from air stone

. . . . . o Overcrowding of fish in the aquarium

NB!!! You must act immediately and replace at leased 25% of the water. This will allow oxygen to be restored to an acceptable level.

Further action should be taken where necessary, e.g. clean filter, siphon off excess food, increase aeration, reduce number of fish, etc. And don't forget to add a water conditioner to the new water.

•• Cloudy water due to excessive feeding.

Bacteria multiply rapidly making water look cloudy. Replace 25% of the aquarium water and try to siphon off excess food from the bottom of the tank.

In future, cut down the amount of food given to the fish.

Feed your fish once they have become acclimatised to the aquarium. . . . . . . . . . . . . . See feeding tropical fish. Most fish do not eat normally for 2 or 3 days after being brought to a new environment.

NB!!! Too much food is dangerous, as it sinks to the bottom and immediately pollutes the water. They should eat all the food in 2 or 3 minutes. Feed them frequently in small amounts.