| There are two areas of introducing new fish into an | | | | I am quite sure, some fish farmers reading this |
| aquarium that you must be aware of: | | | | column would be more concerned about the |
| 1. Fish Quarantine | | | | application of this procedure to solve their farm |
| Fish quarantine is one big, singular factor that must | | | | problems especially those with hatcheries or those |
| be observed strictly before you can be sure that | | | | who stock with post fry and fingerlings. |
| your new fish is of good health and not an apostle of | | | | 2. Feeding New Fish |
| doom for the other inmates. Most new fishkeepers | | | | When you just introduce a new fish to aquarium tank |
| don't take consider this very important factor. | | | | it's necessary to feed the fish. Though this will not be |
| For the benefit of intending aquarists, quarantine in | | | | instant because no matter how carefully you add the |
| the fish world refers to the physical and chemical | | | | fish to your aquarium tank they will look very |
| treatment of new fishes (either imported or caught | | | | unhappy for a while. |
| from the wild) to rid them of disease and | | | | Thus it's necessary that you turn the flights out, and |
| restlessness before introduction into a new | | | | leave them overnight to get used to their new home |
| environment, | | | | first before thinking of feeding them. Then feed fish |
| A small quarantine tank (30x20x25cm) is advisable for | | | | with aquarium fish food with fish flakes the next day, |
| any serious aquarist. The alternative is to be sure | | | | this will make the fish feel at home. |
| that your pet shop has a functional quarantine | | | | If you already have an established tank, it is |
| section to cater for bacterial, fungal and viral | | | | advisable to quarantine new fish before adding them |
| diseases. | | | | to an existing populated, and the cheapest way to |
| This is a sure guarantee against fish deaths. The | | | | do this is to purchase a plastic tank which will need |
| unfortunate thing with most shops in the country is | | | | no gravel or plants. |
| the lack of space and inadequate expertise to build | | | | This can be used solely for quarantine and as a |
| and administer the prophylaxis procedure on new | | | | hospital tank. |
| fish, as the procedure is sure to last at least nigh | | | | Leave the fish in this tank for about three days |
| days! To the average aqua-investor, this is an | | | | during which any disease harbored by the fish would |
| unnecessary tie down of capital and you know what | | | | be evident for which it can be treated using available |
| that means. | | | | chemicals from your dealer. The fish can then be |
| Admittedly, the expense incurred on quarantine by | | | | introduced into the tank in the same way as before. |
| way of chemical purchase e.g. copper sulphate, | | | | When you add new fish to an established |
| wescodyne, malachite green, teremycin etc) is high. | | | | community, there will probably be a certain amount |
| This is more or less reflected on the final sales price | | | | of harassment of the new arrivals by the original fish. |
| of the fish, which is slightly higher in our shop. But, | | | | Try to divert their attention by giving them a good |
| this would pay you off in the long run, as it is unlikely | | | | feed when the fish are introduced. |
| that you will complain of fish deaths any longer. | | | | |