Mike’s Fish Tank – Cold Water
Posted by Dustin Horton // December 14, 2011 // Articles, Mike's Fish Tank
Winter is upon us again. Do not be scared off from buying fish. As long as you take your purchase of fish straight home, the fish wil be ok. In actuality, fish do a lot worse in the summer when it’s very hot out.
When fish are purchased during cold weather, the oxygen levels in the bag of fish are high. Cold water holds the oxygen a lot better than when the water is very warm. This being said, it is still important to go right home.
Also remember to only float the bag of fish 5 minutes. There is not that much water in the bag, it will only take a few minutes for the water temperature to equalize. Floating too long can be detrimental to your fishes health. One thing that sometimes happens when the water is too cold is Ick. It’s a parasitic disease that affects all fish. It looks like your fish has salt all over his fins and sometimes body. If you see this, come see us and we’ll give you a good anti-parasitic medication. If treated promptly, the Ick can be gone in just 24 hours.
I have known people to buy tropical fish and then go grocery shopping. That is not a good idea. Always make your fish purchase your last stop of the day. Goldfish like the water cold and may fair better if you cannot go right home. Another question I get asked is whether the fish will be ok if the ride home is several hours. It should be ok.
My fish come from several hours away and they do fine. If you have a styrofoam cooler that you can put the bags of fish in on the way home, that is helpful. It will control the temperature a bit. I have had customers that live 4 or 5 hours away and they tell me they have never lost a fish. Bottom line, try to buy your fish when you are on the way home. Don’t take chances on the fish getting too cold.
Pets A Plenty is located in the Blockbuster Video Plaza, Rte 281 Cortland, 753-9213. Open 7 days a week. We now have a website. www.petsaplety.biz. check it out. I post care sheets, coupons, new animal arrivals, contests and more. Any questions, email me at friskyy@hotmail.com
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