Fish that are shipped

So I've got some fish being shipped to me.

When they arrive they will have been in the bag for about 24 hours.
The seller said that they put pure oxygen in the bag with them.

I've been reading up on how best to acclimatise fish that have been in transit for that long and most seem to recommend to float the bag to get them used to temperature, then just put them straight in the tank (without bag water) as its better than leaving them in the bag with ammonia etc.

What are peoples experiences with this and what have you found best??

Thanks

 

Hi Jo7984
24 hours in a bag is my change time . Before that they get small amounts of water added over an hour or more. After 24 hours they get the float bag until the water in the bag has risen to tank temperature ( 20 minutes ish) then empty the bag into a bucket and net the fish straight into the tank. Both ways seem to work. Depending on the size of bag and the amount of water in it you may need to a wait longer than 25 minutes for the temperature of the bag water to match the tank.

 

Hi Jo7984
24 hours in a bag is my change time . Before that they get small amounts of water added over an hour or more. After 24 hours they get the float bag until the water in the bag has risen to tank temperature ( 20 minutes ish) then empty the bag into a bucket and net the fish straight into the tank. Both ways seem to work. Depending on the size of bag and the amount of water in it you may need to a wait longer than 25 minutes for the temperature of the bag water to match the tank.

I do the same, except for one small difference. Instead of dumping the bag into a bucket and netting the fish out I empty the bag into a bucket through the net so the water goes through and the fish are caught. Then I put them in the tank.

 

Thanks for the input guys.

It's my first time ordering online and I'm a bit worried about how it will go.

They are Chili Rasbora that I'm getting and I'm worried they are going to be so small and not make the transition.

Suppose time will tell

 

All of my fish have been shipped overnight with an average travel time (from put in bag to aquarium) of 24 to 28 hours

On only one occasion did I have any issues with deceased/dying fish on arrival/shortly after arrival. As a result I have avoided that specific supplier.

My current suppliers have shipped without loss at least a dozen times now. Once they arrive I get a 1 litre jug, put water from the aquarium into it, pour bagged fish through net and plop the fish into the jug of aquarium water, then walk to specific aquarium and pour them in. Never had any issues whatsoever.

Its the method that works for me, the fish are happy and healthy and so far no losses.

 

I have brought fish on line a few times, in fact my wife got a betta less than 24 hours ago. Never had a problem even when buying from two days delivery away. Melbourne Australia.

On more than one occasion the box has turned up before 7 am in Australia. I don’t know about the UK but am just saying have the tank ready and keep checking the front door.

 

I just ordered a betta today from Thailand via California -this is the same exact info I need!

 

The shock of just adding the fish to the tank will kill fish even if they arrive alive and temp regulated. It’s probably the most common cause of the ‘2-3 days later dead but at first looked fine’. If you’re worried about ammonia just add something like Prime, but the addition/subtraction method I do below will cut ammonia down as well.

Always when possible let them adjust to your water. Especially sensitive species but even hardy as well. I float the bag and then add 1/8 cup of tank water. Then take out 1/8 water 15 mins later and replace with 1/8 cup. Then continue to do so for the next hour to hour and a half. You can roll the edges of the bag to keep the bag floating or put them in your own bag. I have drip acclimated and found no difference, but some species (the majority don’t keep) would probably benefit from drip. Otos do better with drip.

It’s important to match the temps but IME it is much much more important to get them acclimated to your other water parameters, especially if you’re running co2.

I try and acclimate with co2 injected water, if you need to acclimate before co2 comes on, I’d turn it down for that day. One day should not hurt plants or cause algae.

Then dump in net over a bowl and add fish.

 

The email I got from them once they are being shipped said this....

"ADDING TROPICAL FISH

FLOAT ACCLIMATION

TURN YOUR LIGHTS OFF ON YOUR AQUARIUM.
FLOAT YOUR FISH BAGS IN YOUR AQUARIUM AND LEAVE FOR 20 MINUTES TO EQUALIZE TEMPERATURE.
ONCE 15 MINUTES HAS PASSED, OPEN THE BAGS AND ADD A CUP FULL OF WATER AND SECURE THE BAG SO THAT ITS FLOATING AT THE SURFACE OF THE WATER.
CONTINUE TO ADD A CUP FULL OF WATER EVERY 5 MINUTES FOR HALF AN HOUR OR WHEN THE BAG IS FULL.
EMPTY THE FISH BAGS THROUGH A NET AND ADD YOUR NEW FISH TO THEIR NEW HOME.
TOP UP YOUR AQUARIUM AND TURN THE LIGHTS BACK ON IN AN HOUR’S TIME.
OBESERVE YOUR NEW ADDITIONS"

 

I bought chili rasboras online and they did fine. One thing about them is that they easily pass out when you handle them or put them in a new tank. If that happens don't panic, they revive in a few minutes, but make sure there is nothing around that will harass them during that time.

 

I bought chili rasboras online and they did fine. One thing about them is that they easily pass out when you handle them or put them in a new tank. If that happens don't panic, they revive in a few minutes, but make sure there is nothing around that will harass them during that time.

Thanks for that information

They will be the only fish in the aquarium.
It will be a species only aquarium providing all goes well.

Well, there are some teeny detritus worms and little creatures that I've seen flitting about.

 

Rasboras are generally a hardy fish. I have found over the years, slow acclimation is best. I follow the instructions you have with a few differences. I add Tank water every 10min or so until bag is well above half full. I then pour out down to a third of the bag and start over until we’ll over half full. I use a bag in which I can fit a net. I don’t like dumping the bag into a net to catch the fish. Years ago I actually hurt one of my little guys fins by dumping in a net. I did not dump fast so I am guessing his fin was out during the dump and bent the wrong way.
I read above where someone mentioned fish being fine until a few days later. This happens due to shock from significantly different water parameter. PH shock can actually kill a pet fish a few weeks after being added to your tank.
Best of luck to you and enjoy your new little friends!

 

Yea those are typical directions, the problem with just adding water is eventually the bag will be full especially a cup at a time. And it will eventually be difficult to float. Actually replacing a very small amount at a time instead allows you to acclimate as long as needed and in increments you want.

I have tried just about every method and it this works for me best, but I do have co2 which is trickier - everyone is different.

 

I've had fish shipped up to 4 days (my 2nd to last shipped Wed and arrived Sat). I float them for 15, dip them in meth blue for 10 seconds, and add them to the tank. Never had a DOA and losses afterwards. I've had quite a few shipped the last few years. I got 12 new guys shipped in, in the last couple of months and used the same process. Obviously, if it was some unique circumstances, I might do something extra, but that's not been necessary with the fish that I buy. Wait, I think one time I added tank water to the bag, to mix twice (added some, waited a few mins, added some more), then put them in, with a new shipper. They're pretty active right away and start looking for food.

 

Considering that the water in a shipped fish bag can be quite bad ........
Would it not make more sense to put the fish in your tank that has good water as soon as the temperatures are equal?
Otherwise, you are just prolonging the fish being in bad water.