Transferring fish into different water
Question:
hi, i keep my pond fish in a tank in my basement during the winter and i was wondering if you could tell me if i need to wait until the outside water gets over a certain temp
Answer:
The temperature of the water to move them outside isn’t really an issue. Making sure to acclimate the water temperature is very important.
Just like when you purchase a fish from a pet store. You let the fish float in the bag while in the tank for awhile to allow the water temperature in the bag to slowly become the same temperature as the water in the fish tank.
You are going to do this same process with your fish when bringing them to your pond outside. If it is hot and sunny on the day you decide to transfer your fish keep an eye on them and because of the heat do not exceed 10 minutes. If you transfer them early in the day or in the evening when it’s cooler 10-15 minutes should be fine. The important part is letting the water in the bag become the same temperature as the water in the pond. This way your fish will have an easier time moving into their new home.