Stress to the fish can make them weak and vulnerable to contracting disease more easily. Although measures are taken to reduce and eradicate disease there is always a possibility of it lying dormant in the water waiting to attack vulnerable fish from ANY supplier. A medicine or quarantine tank is strongly advised as not to damage or infect your prized aquarium stock.

Open the box in a dim room and leave it for at least 15 minutes. If opening in a lighted area, partially remove the polystyrene box lid so that the fish are still partially covered. This is to get the fish more used to light after been in darkness for so many hours.

After 15 minutes remove the polystyrene box lid.

Remove the plastic bag of fish from the box slowly. Any sudden or fast movements may shock the fish.

If the fish do appear to be in shock, for instance, they start swimming wildly in the bags or are sitting motionless on the bottom of the bag, do not worry, continue with this procedure which might help recover the fish and you will be surprised in most circumstances.

Leave the bags floating in the aquarium for at least 15 minutes.

Choose either option 1 or option 2

Option 1

Open the bag and add the same amount of water from the tank as originally in the bag.

Option 2

If you wish at this stage you can add medication.

When adding medication to the bag make the mixture in a separate container using your aquarium water and following the correct dose on the medication packaging or leaflet. When the medication is mixed open the bag and add the same amount of medicated water as was originally in the bag.

Re-tie the bags or trap the end making sure there is enough oxygen for the fish to breathe and leave to float for 15 minutes to fully acclimatize to the aquariums water conditions. If at any point in the 15 minutes the fish seem to be gasping for air at the surface release all the air out of the bag and re-tie or trap the end making sure the bag is inflated to the maximum you can and proceed.

After 15 minutes release the fish into a net resting on a container or bucket to catch the water. Lift the fish from the container or bucket using the net and release slowly into the aquarium. DO NOT release the water from the bag, container or bucket into your aquarium water.