New Goldfish Acclimation Guide by Goldfish Fanatics

Successful Acclimation of Your New Goldfish from Goldfish Fanatics
A Guide by Goldfish Fanatics – for Goldfish Fanatics' Nuggets

Hello keepers of our youthful goldfish,

Thank you for your recent purchase from Goldfish Fanatics! We’re thrilled to know you’ve welcomed new aquatic friends to your home. Let’s walk through the acclimation process, which is essential for your goldfish’s transition to its new environment. Please note, this is our recommended way to acclimate goldfish, specifically for our customers and goldfish.

Understanding the Importance of Acclimation
Your new goldfish needs to adjust to its new home gradually. Differences in temperature, pH, and salinity between the shipping water and your tank can stress your fish. By properly acclimating your goldfish, you increase their chances of a healthy, smooth transition.

Preparing for Your Goldfish’s Arrival
Ensure your tank or quarantine tank is ready at least 48 hours before the goldfish arrives, using aged water or water from your main tank (mixing 50% main tank water with new water). A separate quarantine tank is highly recommended for this. Here are the ideal water parameters for your tank:

  • Water temperature: 86 to 88 degrees Fahrenheit (for Thailand Goldfish). Read more
  • pH: 7.0-7.5
  • Ammonia: 0 ppm
  • Nitrites: 0 ppm
  • Nitrates: Less than 20 ppm (as low as possible)

You can verify these parameters using an API freshwater test kit.

Setting Up a Quarantine Tank
A quarantine tank helps gradually acclimate your goldfish and screen for infectious diseases. Ensure it’s empty and filled with aged water at least 48 hours before the fish’s arrival. A 10-20 gallon tank is ideal, although the size may depend on your fish’s size.

Upon Your Goldfish’s Arrival
Follow these steps to safely introduce your goldfish to its new home:

  1. Turn off or dim your aquarium lights. Avoid opening the shipping box in bright light.
  2. Float the sealed bag in the aquarium for 15-25 minutes without opening it. This allows the water inside the bag to gradually match the tank’s temperature.
  3. Open the bag, gently inflate it with some air, and compare the water temperature with that of your tank. The difference should not exceed 3 degrees Fahrenheit.
  4. Slowly add tank water to the shipping bag. Using a small cup, pour tank water into the shipping bag every 5 minutes until the bag is nearly full.
  5. Carefully remove the goldfish from the bag and place it into the aquarium. DO NOT add the bag water to your aquarium.
  6. Keep the aquarium lights off for 12-24 hours.
  7. IMPORTANT: Refrain from feeding your new goldfish for the next 48 hours.

After Quarantine is Completed
Congrats! Your fish is now ready to be introduced to the community tank. The quarantine period can vary but is recommended to be at least one full week (7 days). The decision to end the quarantine depends on your observation of the fish's activity and overall strength.

Important Warnings for Transitioning
When transitioning the fish from the quarantine tank to another tank, follow these key steps to prevent shock:

  1. Temperature: Slowly decrease the quarantine tank temperature if you plan to acclimate the fish to a lower living temperature. For example, if the quarantine temperature is 86°F and your main tank runs at 75°F, lower the temperature of the quarantine tank by 2°F each week until it matches 75°F. This gradual decrease helps prevent stress and shock.
  2. pH: Ensure the pH in the quarantine tank and the main community tank is similar, with minimal difference (less than 0.5). You can mix water from the main tank into the quarantine tank during water changes (about 25%) to help the fish adapt. Make sure the main tank water is free of ammonia, nitrites (NO2), and nitrates (NO3).

By following these steps, you’ll have a great chance of successfully acclimating your new fish while maintaining their health.

By following this guide, you’ll help your new goldfish successfully adapt to their new environment. If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to reach out.