How to Acclimate Salt Water Fish: 6 Steps (with Pictures)

Questions and Answers

If you want to acclimate your marine fish in salt water, a few steps can help you get through the process and ensure their health and safety.

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Steps

1. 

   1
   Add marine fish or motile invertebrate in bag to the tank and allow to float on the surface.

2. 

   2
   Go ahead and turn the lights in the tank off.  This will help to alleviate some of the stress caused to your new fish by adding them to a new environment, and in the case of adding invertebrates, it can prevent them from being attacked by members of the aquarium before they can find a hiding place once you release them into the tank.

3. 

   3
   Allow the bag containing your new pets to float on the water for about an hour for fish and about an hour and a half for any motile invertebrates.

4. 

   4
   Cut a small slit in the bag, about an inch in length.  This process will slowly mix the water in the bag with your tank water, allowing the animal to slowly acclimate to the new tank parameters. (Salinity, Alkalinity, Nitrate levels, etc).

5. 

   5
   Allow approximately 30-45 minutes for this process to be completed.  After which, you can go ahead and cut the bag completely open and allow your new friend to join the community.

6. 

   6
   Turn your tank light back on and enjoy your expanded community!