Transporting fish from one place to another is not an
adventure to be taken lightly. Much goes
into a smooth introduction of fish into a new pond as well as the process of
getting them there.
If you are purchasing fish from a local pet store, the fish should
be put in a plastic bag filled with pure oxygen. Ask if the provider has a stress-treatment
that can be squirted in the bag. If the
transportation will be a lengthy endeavor, consider putting the fish in a
bucket with an air-pump or be prepared to splash the water every so often to
allow the water to stay aerated.
Keeping the fish in a cool and dark place while transporting
is important as this will lower stress for the fish. Keeping an ice-pack under the bag will slow
the metabolism and awareness of the fish while slowing their need for oxygen.
Once you’ve made it to your destination, you’re only half
way there. Letting the fish into their
new habitat immediately will cause immense stress and can possibly be
fatal. Start by placing the plastic bag
in the pond to be floated for 10-15 minutes. If it’s a sunny day, place a towel over the bag to protect the fish from
direct sunlight. Adding a teaspoon of
dissolved salt will also help to alleviate stress. After the first 10-15 minutes (longer if the
fish were transported with ice) add a little bit of the pond water into the bag
and continue to float the bag for another 10-15 minutes. A lengthy transition yes, but it will make
all the difference in assuring the health and happiness of your fish.
At this time you are ready to introduce your fish into the
pond. Gently untie the bag and allow the
fish to swim out. If you went the route
of introducing the pond water into a bucket instead of floating it, be sure to
wet your hands before picking up the fish and placing them in the water. For bigger fish, it’s a good idea to use
gloves or a net to avoid injury to yourself or the fish.
It is a good idea to keep an eye on the new fish after their
transition because fish, especially Koi, are known for jumping up and sometimes
out of the pond. If you have a pond cover,
place it over the pond for a couple of hours or a day to keep the fish from
jumping. New fish will usually stay at
the bottom of the pond while they recover and gets accustomed to their new surroundings.
Lastly, feed fish sparingly for the next few days to allow
time to recover and also because you will find they are not particularly hungry
at first.