Buying fish from a Retailer

  Unless you live within 30 minutes of the retailers location, have your vendor pack each fish in a separate plastic bag (size depends on size of fish), insulate with newspaper around the bag (if the fish were kept indoors under heat or air conditioning), and place the bag into a shopping bag to keep the fish quiet until they arrive at home.

Buying fish over the Internet

  Mailed purchases should be packed in at least 200Lb. test corrugated boxes, with insulation and ice packs and should be shipped 2nd day Air.

Acclimation- Make them feel at home

  When you get your fish home, transfer the water the fish came in, to a suitable container such as a 5 to 50 gal. bucket (depending on fish size) , open the bag and pour the fish and the water in the bucket, then s-l-o-w-l-y add your pond water over a 30 minute period. When the acclimation period is over, net the fish and place it in your pond. This method allows the fish to adjust to temperature and water parameters.

  DO NOT-pour the water from the bucket or bag into the pond, it will be laden with Ammonia.

Some other Tips

 Fish have different personalities, some will hide and/or not eat when first introduced to a pond, this is normal and is no cause for concern. If your fish exhibit any signs of gasping at the surface, or  swimming with erratic motions, your first call should be to your retailer or supplier. They should be able to advise you how to proceed.

Quarantine

  We do not recommend adding newly purchased fish to your pond for at least 6 Weeks. The fish should be for that period of time, to check for parasites and diseases which may affect or even kill, the other fish in your pond.