"Squirt and Dump"- Acclimation

[Mikiblu30]

I just came across a thread that spoke about this method of acclimating large fish, and/or fish that undergo a lengthy shipping time.

Can this method be used for fish that are transported for shorter lengths of time say 30min- 1 hour.

I ask because I purchased a 12" Tigrinus Catfish from a LFS about 30mins from my home. Would it be safe for me to use this method for such a sensitive fish?

In all what would be the best way for me to acclimate this fish and introduce him into his new tank. I have had issues in the past with netting big fish, so what would be the safest way for me to actually get him out of the bag and into the tank?

Really need help with this, after putting down so much money for a fish I really want to make sure he stays healthy and happy.

Thanks in advance for your input and suggestions.

 

[jcardona1]

I wouldn't do it. If ph from the container and your tank are very different, you could send him into shock and there goes your expensive fish. Happened to me once, fish were dead within ten minutes. When I checked the ph of my tank and the container, they were totally different colors. I won't do that ever again.

 

[gangster]

better to acclimate slowly w/ an airstone in his tub. As far as transferring fish....get a bigger net.

 

[12 Volt Man]

it should be fine for that situation - a fish shipped for 30 mins. is fine.

its different when the LFS receives the fish, for example. it usually takes 2 days transit for most south american fish to get up here, so by then the pH in the bag is down quite a bit. LFS's pH down the tanks such that the bag water and tank water are close in pH.

then they squirt and dump.

but for local shipping for short distances that method should be fine, assuming your temp. is not a lot colder than the bag water.

what I have done with large fish in the past shipped locally (not via airline) (from the LFS to my house) is just to open up the container, siphon some tank water down into the container, let it sit for 10 mins or so, and net the fish up.

 

[12 Volt Man]

PS I am always in the habit of doing a water change to my tank prior to the addition of new fish. that way I know my tank water quality will not be an issue for the new arrivals.

 

[Mikiblu30]

I wouldn't do it. If ph from the container and your tank are very different, you could send him into shock and there goes your expensive fish. Happened to me once, fish were dead within ten minutes. When I checked the ph of my tank and the container, they were totally different colors. I won't do that ever again.

Thanks...wouldn't want to loose this guy.

As far as transferring fish....get a bigger net.

lol. I have a pretty big net..it just seems like more times than not some part of the fish is always getting stuck in it

it should be fine for that situation - a fish shipped for 30 mins. is fine.

its different when the LFS receives the fish, for example. it usually takes 2 days transit for most south american fish to get up here, so by then the pH in the bag is down quite a bit. LFS's pH down the tanks such that the bag water and tank water are close in pH.

then they squirt and dump.

but for local shipping for short distances that method should be fine, assuming your temp. is not a lot colder than the bag water.

what I have done with large fish in the past shipped locally (not via airline) (from the LFS to my house) is just to open up the container, siphon some tank water down into the container, let it sit for 10 mins or so, and net the fish up.

Would it be okay to treat the water in the bag and the tank, and then drip acclimate? I've usually only drip acclimated, never treated the water in the bag. I'd usually add stress coat to the tank before adding new fish.

 

[Mikiblu30]

PS I am always in the habit of doing a water change to my tank prior to the addition of new fish. that way I know my tank water quality will not be an issue for the new arrivals.

Good tip...thanks

 

[12 Volt Man]

I don't usually like drip acclimation for large fish.

the reason is that quite often large fish are often quite stressed in the confines of a bag/box and drip acclimating takes forever.

I have always felt that large fish are often a lot better off swimming around in your tank than they are sitting for a long time in the bag/box.

so I don't use drip acclimation for big guys.

some do, but I don't.

 

[Mikiblu30]

I don't usually like drip acclimation for large fish.

the reason is that quite often large fish are often quite stressed in the confines of a bag/box and drip acclimating takes forever.

I have always felt that large fish are often a lot better off swimming around in your tank than they are sitting for a long time in the bag/box.

so I don't use drip acclimation for big guys.

some do, but I don't.

Oh ok, I got it. Thinking back to when I got my Fire Eel, he seemed really stressed by the Drip Acclimation. That's why I was leaning towards this method with the Tig, but as other's have suggested not doing so because of ph and such I got a little worried.

Most of the reading I've done suggests that temperature(going from warmer to colder water) is more important than the ph(not really sure how) and that FW fish go through changes in ph regularly in the wild, but the fish I purchased was grown out by the LFS owner. So I think in this instance I am really concerned about the sudden change in ph, as I know my tank water will most likely be warmer than the bag water.

 

[aclockworkorange]

For short transport times, I usually get a large rubbermaid container, put the fish in with the shipping water, add a tiny bit of ammonia neutralizer, and some methylene blue, then drip with a pretty quick drip time. I like the methylene blue bath because it's a decent disease preventative (of course, a bath in methylene blue won't cure much of anything, but I figure it doesn't hurt) and mostly it helps the fish breath easier. IME fish do well with this method.
Anyone have any input that this is harmful in some way?