🐟 How to Acclimate New Fish

Bringing home new fish is exciting, but proper acclimation is critical to reduce stress and avoid shock. Follow these steps:

1. Prepare the Tank First

• Make sure your aquarium is cycled, dechlorinated, and at the correct temperature.
• Dim or turn off aquarium lights to reduce stress.

2. Float the Bag (Temperature Acclimation)

• Keep the fish in the sealed bag they came in.
• Float the bag in your tank for 15–20 minutes to equalize water temperature.

3. Open the Bag

• After temperature adjustment, open the bag carefully.
• Roll down the top edge so it floats upright, or place the bag in a clean container.

4. Drip or Cup Method (Water Parameter Acclimation)

• Every 5–10 minutes, add a small amount of tank water (½ cup) into the bag.
• Repeat for about 30–45 minutes until the bag has roughly doubled in volume.
• This helps the fish adjust slowly to your tank’s pH, hardness, and chemistry.
  (For sensitive species, use a drip acclimation kit with airline tubing to add water drop by drop.)
• 5. Transfer the Fish
• Use a net to gently move the fish into your aquarium.
• Do not pour bag water into your tank (it may contain waste or pathogens).

6. Observe and Adjust

• Leave the lights off for several hours to let the fish settle in.
• Watch closely for signs of stress or aggression from tank mates.

👍 Tips

• Acclimate all fish—even hardy species—to reduce risk of shock.
• Take extra care with sensitive species (shrimp, snails, discus, etc.).
• Avoid rushing—slow changes are safer than quick ones.