Do we really need to acclimate new fish?

Tycoon

Tycoon

AC Members
May 29, 2007
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I never acclimate my new fish, I just put them straight in the tank right away and they all seem to do fine. They never showed any sign of stress or weakness the next day or the next few days. I only lost two fish so far: a rasbora who just completely disappeared and a ram after 2 weeks of purchasing it - we all know how delicate and weak rams are.


I also bought a pearl gourami (very beautiful fish) yesterday to replace my ram and I didn't acclimate him either. He is already eating like a pig today and cruising all around the tank nonstop!
 
I think its more important for the very delecate fish...
Ive never really acclimated fish either, maybe for a few minutes just to get the temp the same but never worried about the ph and all that good stuff and ive never lost a fish within the first few weeks.
 
Well my lfs is only 5 minutes away from my house so we might have pretty similar water.
 
Well, glad things work for you. But I think I'll stay with my tried and true acclimation.....
 
Even given the best-case scenarios with matching water, living 2 houses down from the LFS, etc.; it's less of a shock to the fish so in the end its less stressful thus why wouldn't you?

Acclimation is critical IMO. Slowly introducing a fish into a new environment is always better then simply throwing them in.

Ever go on vacation to a warm climate? Ever notice that the 'natives' all wear jackets in January in Florida and us from the north are sweating our ***s off? That's from acclimating to their environment.

Ever run out to get the mail in the dead of winter in your boxers? Hope the driveway isn't 300' long and you don't slip on the ice and slid into the snow bank (not fun FYI).

The point I'm trying to make is that it can't hurt, and certainly can help, so any level of acclimation done is better than nothing - Even just floating the bag to temp match is better than nothing.

P.S.
I also assume you don't QT fish either as well? Remember, most fish can combat illnesses on their own (oftentimes without us knowing they are ill), and a stressed fish is less able to fight of any illnesses they may be carrying.

Most illnesses can be carried in dormacy for up to 2-4 weeks...
 
I agree. If nothing else a qt tank should be set up. I keep a spare 5 gallon setup tucked away (my fish are all small) and keep them in that tank for at least 2 weeks upon arrival to my house. No diseases in my tanks.
 
:iagree:

I used to just put them right into my main tank after a few minutes of acclimating.

I soon got burned by ick and other problems by not using a QT tank. Now I always use a QT tank and always acclimate 8) Michelle
 
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