Acclimating a new fish

[Neptune 555]

Just a question here... I keep reading that a freshwater dip is safe and a good idea to determine if a fish has flukes. But I also read that when acclimating a new fish it is super important to match salinity EXACTLY. That a difference between 1.020 and 1.025 could cause a fish to become ill possibly die. I am confused... how can a freshwater dip be good and yet not matching salinity exactly deadly?

 

[GoldeneyeRet]

A freshwater dip is only for a short time so it kills some of the tinyflukes before it harms the fish.

Leave the fish in too long and it would also die.

 

[spiraling]

I understand it also has to do with the direction of the salinity change. Its easier for them to go to a lower salinity rather than higher. But the time in the change matters.
The FW dip can be stressful, so unless necessary you may want to match the salinity and temp, then wait hours or days before the freshwater dip.

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

Here's a good video by one of our Fish Disease/Treatment experts that may be helpful for you: https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/video-how-to-do-a-freshwater-dip.286639/

 

[Salty1962]

Freshwater dips should only be used in the event of suspected diseases. Even when using it you only keep your fish in it for a VERY few minutes. It places a severe amount of stress on fish. When introducing a new fish you have to take into account the amount of stress from capture, shipping, etc. Any sudden changes in salinity and ph just further stress your fish and it becomes susceptible to diseases it otherwise wouldn't be effected by when it's healthy. I'm a little old school and take 1-2 hours of acclimating new livestock to my tank to assure a better chance of survival. JME