02
Introduce your fish gently
Acclimation means adjusting to the new water.
Check the instructions with your shipment first. The right method depends on the species and transport conditions. Ask Tropicflow before opening the bag if you are unsure.
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1
Float the sealed bag
10–20 min
Rest the unopened bag on the aquarium surface to equalize temperature.
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2
Follow your shipment’s acclimation method
Only mix aquarium water into the bag if the supplied instructions call for it. Follow their quantities and timing.
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3
Gently transfer the fish
Once acclimation is complete, use a suitable net to move the fish into the prepared tank. Discard the bag water.
Never pour shipping water into your aquarium.
03
Give them time to settle
A simple care plan for the first 48 hours after introduction.
FIRST 24 HOURS
Let them rest. Keep conditions stable.
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Keep the surroundings calm Leave aquarium lights off for the first few hours and keep room lighting gentle. Provide hiding places; avoid tapping the glass or repeatedly handling your fish.
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Check water and equipment Keep filtration and aeration running. Check temperature, pH, ammonia and nitrite, using the appropriate ranges for your species. Avoid sudden temperature or pH changes.
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Wait before the first meal Allow 12–24 hours of rest before offering food, unless your shipment includes different species-specific instructions. Do not add food simply to lure a hiding fish out.
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Observe without disturbing Watch breathing, balance and tankmate behavior. Some hiding or reduced activity can occur after travel; check for chasing or fin nipping and address aggression promptly.
24–48 HOURS
Offer a small meal. Look for progress.
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Feed lightly once settled If your fish is upright and breathing normally, offer a small amount of species-appropriate food. Remove uneaten food promptly. If it refuses, avoid repeated feeding attempts or extra portions.
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Return to a steady routine Resume the usual species-appropriate light schedule as your fish settles. Keep shelter available and disturbance low; continue watching for bullying.
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Recheck the essentials Check temperature, ammonia and nitrite again, and confirm the filter and aeration are working. Investigate unsuitable readings promptly rather than assuming unusual behavior is only shipping stress.
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Compare with the first day Look for steady breathing, balanced swimming and a gradual return toward normal behavior. If appetite or behavior is not improving, email Tropicflow support with your order number, a short video and water-test results.
Every species settles at its own pace. Follow the instructions included with your shipment; 48 hours is a check-in point, not a guaranteed recovery time.
Do not wait for the next time window if your fish is struggling. Gasping, persistent labored breathing, inability to stay upright or severe weakness need prompt attention from a fish veterinarian. Check water and equipment immediately.
04
Recognize signs of shipping stress
What to look for and how to care for your fish.
Travel can leave fish unsettled. Changes in activity, color or appetite can also signal illness or unsuitable water. Observe breathing and balance, and look for improvement over time.
| What you may notice |
How to help |
| More hiding or less activity Spending extra time behind plants or resting.
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Keep lighting low, offer shelter and limit disturbance. Check for bullying and compare behavior with what is usual for the species. |
| Faded color or tightly held fins Colors look duller; fins stay close to the body.
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Check water quality and species-appropriate temperature. Seek advice if changes persist, worsen, or appear with spots, sores or unusual breathing. |
| Little interest in food Ignoring food when feeding resumes.
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After the initial 12–24-hour rest, offer a small, suitable meal. Remove leftovers. If refusal continues or other signs appear, ask for advice. |
Start with the water and equipment
Check temperature, pH, ammonia and nitrite. Confirm that filtration and aeration are working. Keep conditions suitable for your species; avoid sudden temperature or pH changes.
Get help promptly for these signs
Gasping, persistent labored breathing, inability to stay upright, or severe weakness need prompt attention from a fish veterinarian. Check water and equipment immediately; do not wait 24–48 hours for these signs to pass.
Fish health references: signs of illness and routine care · water quality and aquarium conditions.
Why check the shipping instructions?
Opening a shipping bag changes its water chemistry. Ammonia can become more harmful as pH rises. Avoid extending time in opened shipping water without species-specific guidance.
What if there is a problem on arrival?
Contact Tropicflow. For an arrival claim, check the current Live Arrival Guarantee for evidence and reporting requirements, then submit your claim through the DOA form.
