INTRODUCING THE FISH
Before stocking the aquarium with fish it is advisable to allow a settling period. This permits the water to age a little, gives time for particles in suspension to settle, and allows new plants to anchor their roots. It is always advisable to allow four to seven days for the tank to stabilize before introducing the inhabitants.
The amateur aquarist will find it better to keep a few of the cheaper fishes until he has gained some experience. Since many enthusiasts through expensive initial looses, have become disheartened and given up. If only they had gained a little knowledge first, they could have realised that aquarium-keeping is the most exciting hobby.
The first thing to do once you have bought your fish is to introduce them carefully into the tank. Float their plastic bag in tank for at least an hour, to allow the temperature to equalize with that of the tank. It is most unlikely that the water chemistry of the dealer’s tank is the same as that in your newly set-up tank so it is necessary to change the water in the bag very slowly, adding small amounts of water from the tank, over a period of at least half-an-hour or preferably much longer.
In this way, the fishes will easily adjust to the differences in water quality due to dissolved solids without damaging the delicate gills and kidneys of the fish.
