When adding fish to a new pond or after a cleanout or complete water change, Make sure to add a double dose of Aquascape Pond Detoxifier when first filling the pond to neutralize chlorine and chloramine, reduce fish stress, and detoxify heavy metals.

Start with a Few fish and build the Population Slowly.

Float the bag in the pond for approximately 20 minutes. During this time the temperature in the bag will adjust to your pond’s current water temperature.

Try to avoid floating pond fish in direct sunlight; cover the plastic bag with an old towel, cloth, or something that will shade the bag without sinking it if necessary.

After floating the bag, begin acclimating your fish by adding approximately 20% pond water by volume.  Do this a few times over the course of an hour.

We also recommend adding Aquascape Pond Detoxifier to the water contained in the bag as well as to the pond itself. Pond Detoxifier will neutralize any ammonia produced by the fish during transport, regenerate damage to the mucus membrane caused by netting, and reduce stress during acclimatization.

Be careful not to leave the fish in the open bag for too long as available oxygen will quickly be consumed. If you have an air pump you can also drop a small air stone into the open bag to ensure proper oxygenation.

After approximately 1 hour, your fish are ready to be introduced to their new home. Scoop the fish out of the bag using a soft mesh net and release them into your pond. Discard the remaining water.

The fish will probably head for the bottom of the pond and stay there until they become familiar with their new surroundings. Don’t be alarmed as this is quite normal.

Never just dump the fish from the bag into the water without properly acclimating your fish first. This will cause extreme stress and can even cause death if the difference in water temperature and chemistry is extreme.