After you visit our inventory pages, I'm sure you will soon be receiving a new addition to your discus fish family. Our fish are guaranteed to be healthy upon arrival however, to avoid shock and possible loss, proper acclimation and quarantine procedures should be followed. This month's tip provides the methodology.

Acclimation...
Proper acclimation is done by the drip method. Empty the new arrivals into a clean, fish-safe, nonmetallic container. Over a period of at least one hour, add small amounts of water that will eventually equal the volume used in the shipping bag. This slow transfusion reduces possible stress from transferal. Remove the discus from the combined water and transfer to a quarantine tank. Discard combined water.

Quarantine...
All newly acquired fish should be quarantined for at least six weeks. Wild-caught fish should remain in quarantine for at least eight weeks. Locate the quarantine tank away from other tanks, preferably in another room. All nets, siphons and other equipment used in the quarantine tank should be kept separate. To ensure proper hygiene, wash hands before and after handling quarantine chores.

After the quarantine period is over and all new acquisitions are healthy, it is time to introduce your discus to their new tank-mates. Watch for this topic in a future tip of the month.

Click here to be notified about new tips and articles.