How do you introduce the first inhabitants into an aquarium? Perhaps you have no idea. And if this is your case, not to worry- you’ve reached the right place. In today’s article, we bring you tips on how to put your small pets for the first time in their new habitat. Interested to learn more? Keep reading!
There are many species that you can introduce into your aquarium, but we will use the following species as examples:
- Guppy Endler (Wild Guppies)
- Yellow shrimp neocaridina
- Red neocaridina shrimp
Next, we will review two techniques for introducing fish and invertebrates, because doing it right is essential for the survival of these animals, just as important as having all the correct water parameters; These are the bag and drip method. Caution!
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The Bag Method
Just as this method was used to acclimate fish in the aquarium, you can use this technique for your aquarium and introduce wild guppies as the first inhabitants.
This is an ideal fish for small setups. They don’t grow much and reproduce very easily. The females of this species are usually colorless. However, the males tend to have very attractive colors that you will surely love.
After six weeks and with a mature aquarium, it is time to introduce them. But you must do it with love and care, the bag method will help acclimate the fish optimally.
Although earlier, around the fourth week, the cleaning squad can be introduced so that it performs its cleaning function and keeps the developing algae at bay. Some species that can help you with this job are onion snails and rainbow gobies.
Before doing this, you must have controlled all the water parameters through quality tests. Once everything is in order, use the bag method to continue to bring your aquarium to life.
The bag method is very easy, just follow these steps!
- Put the closed fish bag in the aquarium.
- Leave the bags inside for 15 to 20 minutes. Then open the lid.
- Cut off this part and leave it open on the outside of the aquarium.
- You can hold the bags with tweezers on the glass.
- Every two minutes, add a little bit of water from the aquarium (not more than 50 ml) until you reach twice the initial water.
- Very carefully remove the fish from the bag with a landing net and release them into the aquarium.
- Take out the bags filled with water. Do not put this water in the aquarium, as it may contain harmful elements.
- Do not feed the new inhabitants for the next four hours.
Let’s now learn more about the second method!
2 The Drip Method for Acclimating Invertebrates
The second technique is the drip method, it is also very easy to use and is generally used for the introduction of invertebrates. The only thing you will need is:
- An air hose for the aquarium
- A suction cup
- A valve to cut
In a bucket, you need to have:
- The shrimp released with the water in the bag.
- Little by little, by dripping, the water is transferred from the aquarium to the bucket, until it reaches more or less double the amount of water.
- This process will take about 45 minutes but it is ideal so that they do not suffer any stress.
- Once acclimated, they can be introduced into the aquarium using a net.
Controls Water Values Very Well
As we mentioned in this post, before introducing an animal, you need to make sure that the aquarium has adequate and stable parameters to receive its first inhabitants. That you do not lack anything for the maintenance of the water! There you are! With those tips, introducing your first inhabitants to your aquarium should be a true success.
What’s your favorite fish species? Let us know in the comments below.
