Introducing Fish Into Your Tank
Now that you’ve set up your goldfish bowls or tank, allowing at least two week for the environment to stabilize and beneficial bacteria to grow, you’re ready to introduce your goldfish to your tank. Don’t just dump them in there though! You can shock your fish if you don’t acclimate them to the new tanks environment. First, turn off the tank lights and dim the room lights. Without jostling the closed plastic bag, place it into your tank. Let the bag rest in your tank for 30 minutes, long enough for the water in the bag to reach the same temperature as the water in your tank. Then, open the bag, take some of your tank’s water – about half as much as is in the bag already – and dribble it into the bag. Close the bag again and let it sit in the tank for another 5 minutes. This will help the fish adjust to your tank’s water. Finally, using your (clean!) hands, gently ease your fish into the tank. Be careful to bring over as little of the water from the bag as possible. Imagine yourself after a long flight, when all you want is a nap in the quiet dark and you know what your new fish need right now.
