Different Acclimation Process

[ralphie16]

William,

I read your acclimation procedure and you write that the fish should be acclimated in the plastic bag and then dipped.

In the past I have emptied the bag's contents (water and fish) into a dark 3 gallon bucket and drip the tank water in there directly.

Is this acceptable instead of keeping him in the plastic bag?

[ralphie16]

I also read that exposed fish to air is a great cause of stress so I try to move my fish underwater if possible. When I do the dip, can I put the fish in a small bowl (covered with a net) and empty the whole cup (with the fish) into the dip so that he never gets exposed to air? This way the fish is in a controlled space and cant toss around and hurt himself. When the dip is done I simply lift the cup and pour it into the QT. (the amount of water being transferred is insignificantly minimal).

Is this acceptable?

[leebca]

Hi ralphie,

As I mentioned in the post, the drip system for marine fishes is a procedure to not use because of the time it takes. Remember the goal is to acclimate as quickly as possible, reduce stress as fast as possible, yet not induce stress from an acclimation that takes too long.

However, the use of bucket instead of the bag is okay so long as the temperature of the bucket water remains the same as the temperature of the QT water the fish is going into. The bag method was to automatically control the temperature by floating the bag in the 'destination' water. Using a bucket or any separate container the aquarist now has an extra water parameter to control -- the temperature.

The concept of the transfer of the fish in water into the dip, distorts the dip water parameters. If I understand the proposed method, the bowl water and dip water have to mix before the fish is technically in the water matching near the original dip water. This time to mix distorts the effect of the dip. Plus, the water is changed. It is, for instance, no longer a freshwater dip when salt water is mixed with it. Once the fish is in the FW dip with the Methylene Blue the fish will be calm and not thrash about when removed, rinsed, and released into the QT. So the only 'thrashing' or movement is when netted or as suggested caught in the properly prepared colander.

I think the concern for this minimal movement is not as important as keeping the dips water and procedure controlled (and not contaminated with other water, even the small amount you seem to think is the case). Thus, I'd favor not doing as you suggested.

Your concern for their exposure to air has never been studied to the best of my knowledge. Any handling of fish could be construed as imposing stress on the fish, but I don't know that exposure to air for marine fish is that great of a concern. Keep in mind that before the fish was acquired it had gone through no less than two such exposures. Exceptions to this possible non-issue include certain marine fishes and lifeforms that, if taken out of the water, may take on air and be harmed.

What is the most significant factor is what comes into contact with the fish's skin. The net is least desirable, the plastic calendar follows, and the most desirable would be the wet plastic bag. The compromise between the best contact and the best process is the calendar, IMHO since you want fast drainage without having anything tangle up the fish. The net gives total drainage, but harmful to the fish. The bag or bowl least harmful, but doesn't drain effectively. The colander is mid-stream.

These are, as usual, just my opinions.