Conditioning the Fish
Conditioning a newly acquired fish is as most importance as any other
things. Otherwise, the fish might be subjected to "new tank syndrome" and
fall sick. This task will require both knowledge and experience to do the
job well. Have some patience too, do not put the fish right into the tank
once you reaches home as the fish might be subjected to pH shock or
temperature shock, both detrimental to the general well being of the fish.
A) Locally Acquired Fish This will be a simpler case as
compared to newly imported fishes. The temperature in your local pet shop
is more or less similar to the tank in your house. The fish also probably
did not have to travel for 12-36 hours in a plane before reaching your
home. In such cases, simply equalize the temperature. Next, equalize the
water conditions by placing the bag of fish in the tank for 30 minutes.
Open the bag, let in some tank water and close it up again. Finally,
release the fish after about 15 minutes.
Add in some salt; say
100g for 100 liters of water, and black water extract to calm down the
fish. The newly acquired fish should not be dashing about in the tank or
constantly gasping it's gill cover. If this happen for the next 15-30
minutes or so, it goes to show that something is very wrong with the water
you have prepared for the fish. Immediately, change about 30% of the tank
water with aged water and observe. Everything should be fine if the pH is
not too high or too low for the fish.
For the next 2 days, try not
to feed the fish, as it will take some time for the fish to be accustomed
to it's new environment and new owner. Like humans some fish are very shy
and inactive, do not worry too much. Give it time and take good care of
the new pet and it should the joy of your home for the years to come.
If the newly acquired fish is just an addition to an existing
aquarium, it is always wiser to keep it in a separate tank to quarantine
the fish for 1-2 weeks. An experienced hobbyist will know the consequence
of not doing that, thereby infecting the whole tank with parasites from
the new fish. Add salt and anti-parasitic agents to get rid of any
bacteria or parasite found on the fish. If all goes well then put the new
fish into the present aquarium after 1-2 weeks.
B) Newly Imported
Fish The owner will have to take extra precautions when conditioning
an imported Arowana, especially when the fish lives in a temperate
country. Exported fishes often spent 12-44 hours in a plastic bag before
reaching the importer. Fishes must be packed 1-2 hours at the farm before
traveling to the airport. At the airport, the fishes must be checked into
the aircraft at least 4 hours before departure time. The closest importing
country from Singapore is Hong Kong, around 3.5 hours away. Upon arrival,
it would take another 3-4 hours to clear customs. Hence, the shortest
duration is 12 hours for importing countries in Asia and 30-44 hours for
countries in Europe and North America.
Due to the limited water
volume in a plastic bag and minimal oxygen, it is more crucial to equalize
temperature first, for 30-45 minutes and then, water conditions, for
another 15-30 minutes or so. Bearing in mind that Arowanas are tropical
fishes, surviving in temperature of 25-30 degree C. The intended water
usage must be of equivalent temperature. Add warm water if you must but
take the temperature reading first.
Exported fishes are often
starved for 2-3 days prior to export to avoid any possible vomiting and
excretion in the form of feces and urine, thereby increasing the ammonia
and nitrite levels in the bag. The pH is also often kept low, at around
6-6.5, so that the fish will have a better tolerance of any trace of
ammonia. Prepare well in advance, with the pH in the region of 6.5 to 7.0
would be best. Finally, let off the fish and it should swim normally after
some time.
You may want to add some salt and black water extract
to calm the fish down. Extra air stones may be used for the first few
hours to revitalize the stressed fish. Thereafter, remove the extra air
stone and stick to 1 or 2 per tank, depending on the number of fishes
kept. Avoid feeding for the next 2 days and feed a little at the
beginning. It would be wise to pre-check with the breeder as to what kind
of food the fish normally eats. Acriflavine (green solution) may also be
added to speed up the conditioning process. Quarantine the fishes for 1-2
weeks if it was to be added to a present
tank. |