what time of day is best time to introduce new fish?

pogiboy67 · 10/22/2007, 05:28 PM

so whats the general consensus as to when to add a new fish to a tank? day night? i hear night time.. but then wont that mean a fish might come in contact with an anemone as i have 2 in my tanks

MalHavoc · 10/22/2007, 05:44 PM

It's generally a good idea to do it with the lights off. Fish are pretty stressed when going into a new environment. Having the lights off gives them a chance to hide. Maybe compromise and do it with just your actinics on or something?

JustinReef · 10/22/2007, 05:56 PM

Maybe ask the fish if he is scared of the dark though first. He may need a nightlight...

demonsp · 10/22/2007, 06:47 PM

I dont think it really matters. You should turn lights off after he is added to lesson the stress. But later in the day would be better.

Playa-1 · 10/22/2007, 08:49 PM

I wouldn't add him at feeding time if you have larger fish in there

ledford1 · 10/22/2007, 08:57 PM

As long as you have the money and the room for another, it's always a good time to add a fish.

Really, I think any time of day is fine. I make sure the tank is well fed before adding a new tank. I think the established fish can be a bit grouchy if they're hungry and see a new fish that could compete for food. And I always turn off the lights before adding a new fish (and about 2 hours afterward), so that everyone goes back to their little homes, giving the new guy a little time to himself as he explores and gets comfortable.

10/22/2007, 05:28 PM	#1
pogiboy67 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: pleasant hill/ san ramon Posts: 676	what time of day is best time to introduce new fish? so whats the general consensus as to when to add a new fish to a tank? day night? i hear night time.. but then wont that mean a fish might come in contact with an anemone as i have 2 in my tanks

10/22/2007, 05:44 PM	#2
MalHavoc Infinitely Prolonged Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 10,850	It's generally a good idea to do it with the lights off. Fish are pretty stressed when going into a new environment. Having the lights off gives them a chance to hide. Maybe compromise and do it with just your actinics on or something? __________________ Jason "Empathy, he once had decided, must be limited to herbivores or anyhow omnivores who could depart from a meat diet. Because, ultimately, the empathic gift blurred the boundaries between hunter and victim, between the successful and the defeated." -- Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, Philip K Dick

10/22/2007, 05:56 PM	#3
JustinReef Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 3,715	Maybe ask the fish if he is scared of the dark though first. He may need a nightlight...

10/22/2007, 06:47 PM	#4
demonsp Moved On Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: el paso tx Posts: 7,634	I dont think it really matters. You should turn lights off after he is added to lesson the stress. But later in the day would be better.

10/22/2007, 08:49 PM	#5
Playa-1 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Laguna Niguel, CA Posts: 7,497	I wouldn't add him at feeding time if you have larger fish in there

10/22/2007, 08:57 PM	#6
ledford1 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: NW Arkansas Posts: 2,241	As long as you have the money and the room for another, it's always a good time to add a fish. Really, I think any time of day is fine. I make sure the tank is well fed before adding a new tank. I think the established fish can be a bit grouchy if they're hungry and see a new fish that could compete for food. And I always turn off the lights before adding a new fish (and about 2 hours afterward), so that everyone goes back to their little homes, giving the new guy a little time to himself as he explores and gets comfortable.