What to do when you receive your order

• Always open the box in a warm room, with subdued lighting.
• Float the bag in the previously prepared environment and leave for 10 minutes, so that the temperature can equalize.
• Open the bag and roll down the top, so as to form a floatation collar, then mix a little of the aquarium water to the bag. Leave for another 10 minutes.
• Repeat the mixing and waiting 2 more times.
• Gently release the fish into the aquarium.
• Ensure that the aquarium lid is closed and then leave overnight, until the following day.
• After inspection, carry out any partial water changes as necessary.
• Report any DOAs
• Strictly quarantine the new stock until you are totally satisfied with their condition.

• The above guidelines assume that you are checking on the condition of the fish during settling in and removing any obvious dead bodies.
• Never open the box in a brightly lit room and always ensure that the aquarium lights are off.
• Make sure that you have prepared the aquarium to the correct parameters for the fish that you are settling in.
• Use a mild preventative bactericide or similar treatment.

Emergency tips.

Always make sure that you observe the fishes behaviour, during the unpacking and settling in procedure. Certain criteria may make it necessary to override some of the above guidelines. Be aware of foul looking water and if need be, discard the water in the bag if it is heavily contaminated. Apart from any obvious deaths (partial bodies etc) release ALL of the fish into the aquarium. I have known of cases where the whole contents of a cloudy bag have been settled in and no losses occurred, even when all the fish were lying on the bottom of the tank, apparently dead initially.