How to Add Fish to a Fish Tank

By eHow Pets Editor

Instructions

Things You’ll Need:

Fish in water in a sealed bag
small net

Step 1:
Purchase fish that are from a fish farm. Stay away from fish that are captured from the wild. Make sure the temperaments of your fish are compatible.
Step 2:
Keep the chlorine level is at zero. Maintain the correct pH balance and temperature level for the specific type of fish.
Step 3:
Place a sealed bag with the fish into the aquarium, and let it float for about ten minutes to acclimate the fish to the new water temperature.
Step 4:
Add small amounts of the tank water to the bag containing the fish, and allow the tank water to mix with the bagged water for ten more minutes. Repeat the process at least one more time.
Step 5:
Use a net to transfer the fish one at a time into the tank.
Step 6:
Dispose of the water from the bag into a sink not the aquarium.

Tips & Warnings

Goldfish are generally good in a variety of temperatures, but tropical fish will require heated water.
Start your tank with community fish such as guppies or mollies.
Let the filter run for at least a week if you are adding fish to a new tank.
Let the fish swim in darkness for a few hours to decrease shock.

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