New Fish Instoduction

[bayoupr]

Ok we let the water temp equalize in the bag with the fish for 20 min or so. Then we add aquarium water a little bit at a time. Here's where I differ from alot of people. Most people will net their fish out of the bag and add it to the tank. WHY? First off everytime you net a fish you risk damaging its fins , gills or worse. Next I here its so you won't introduce any dieases into your tank. Well this fish has been living in this water and if there's any ick, parasites, protozoans ect: well guess what, this fish will carry them into your tank without the water. Besides if you are dealing with a reputable LFS I don't see any problems. And if you are not then don't buy from there.

[NJ Devils Fan]

I don't get what the point of this thread is. If you are careful with your fish while netting them, then they will be fine. I have never once had a problem.

Also, no matter where you buy your fish from, you should always quarantine them before adding them to their permanent tank so aviod spreading diseases to other fish.

[djdk]

Chances are, you have more fish than the number that you are adding. The fish that you are adding may be used to the water, but the fish that are happily living in their home are not and could pick up something from that water that maybe the new fish have become immune to. Also, the new fish could bring something to the tank, but there is much less chance of other fish getting it if a bunch of water with the disease is not added.

[PumaWard]

While it is true that the fish being added to the tank may carry disease, it is best not to get any of the LFS water into your tank.

My LFS is very reputable, but I do my best not to get any of their water in my tank. They have no more control over disease in their tanks than you do in your's. A lot of my LFS's fish arrive at their store already sick, which, again they have little control over.

NJ is right, you should quarentine; however, some people don't have space or money to set up a quarentine tank so we do the next best thing, avoid getting lfs water in the tank. Avoid getting already sick fish while your at the lfs, and reduce stress to as little as possible.


As far as the net, no severe fin damage, if any should happen during the netting process. If you are worried you will damage their fins, you can use your hand instead. I use my hand because it's much more dexterious and more sensitve.

[SayersWeb]

Why leave them suffering in the bag for 20 minutes for temperature adjustment? When I get home I empty the bag of fish and their water into an empty bucket. Then add a few ounces of water from the tank every few minutes. Once I've added about twice as much water from the tank as came in the bag, the fish are netted (or hand lifted) out of the bucket and placed in the tank.

[Rometiklan]

Originally posted by bayoupr
Ok we let the water temp equalize in the bag with the fish for 20 min or so. Then we add aquarium water a little bit at a time. Here's where I differ from alot of people. Most people will net their fish out of the bag and add it to the tank. WHY? First off everytime you net a fish you risk damaging its fins , gills or worse. Next I here its so you won't introduce any dieases into your tank. Well this fish has been living in this water and if there's any ick, parasites, protozoans ect: well guess what, this fish will carry them into your tank without the water. Besides if you are dealing with a reputable LFS I don't see any problems. And if you are not then don't buy from there.

Hey whatever works for you. If you've been fortunate enough to avoid bringing home a disease which could potentially wipe out your entire community, then all the more power to you.

If your tank is populated with a couple of 10 cent carnival goldfish, then using a quarantine tank or taking more care with the introduction may not matter all that much to you. However, if your tank is filled of prized discus, or other rare or expensive specimens, do you really want to take any chances with introducing a disease?

[~*LuvMyKribs*~]

I've always netted my fish by pouring the bag into a bucket through a net, and all fish get caught in the net easily.

I don't mind when lfs water gets into the tank from bags i have floating in the tank when i add my own tank water to the bags. I've never had a problem with mixing water, but it might not be good especially if its a small tank with lots of floating bags = lots of new strange water being added to a relativley small space.

I've never heard of fin damage from netting and quite often i will pick my fish up by hand out of the net and put them into thier new water.

Whatever way works best, but its best to be cautious.

[Lauren]

I do the drip system. I dump the bag into a container then I take one of my siphon hoses and tie some knots in them. I get the siphon going and get a few drops a minutes into their water. I give it a half hour or so, then net the fishies and move them over.

[bayoupr]

As for where this thread is going I was trying to see what other people do when adding new fish. And I do agree if you have space for a quarentine tank it is best to put them ther first in order to monitor them. Second someone mentioned about the LFS treating the water. If their of treating the water is that bad then their fish should floating in the store in which case I wouldn't buy. Third, someone mentioned 10 cent carnival gold fish. Yes I do buy 10 cent carnival goldfish, about a 100 every 4 days but they seem to die all the time. Maybe if I don't put the water in they may survive. But then again probably the 14" male Jag and my 12" Pike might have something to do with their survival rate. Will have to research this. ( Just kidding People) But my point is if there is something in the water that can wipe out a whole community of fish, them its on the fish also. On the lighter side I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and their fish also. PS; sometimes I can get a little arogant but I get over it.

[Wazzucycler]

Is there really any "Perfect" way of adding a new fish??? You are always going to have to net it or introduce water from a foreign tank. There is always risk. And by the way...they net the fish at the LFS to put in the bag...;)