Acclimation Procedure for AmeriCulture Fingerlings

Step 1 (Bag removal): Open the cardboard box and remove the lid from inner Styrofoam liner. Inside you will find two inflated bags of fish. Remove both bags from the box by holding the top of bag with one hand and supporting the bottom of the bag with the other hand.

Step 2 (Thermal acclimation): Without removing metal clips, float the bags in the tank to which the fish will be added. Leave the fish in the water for 15 minutes before proceeding to step 3. Meanwhile, measure the pH of the water in the receiving tank if you do not already know what it is. It is important to know the pH for Step 3.

Step 3 (Chemical acclimation): Remove the clips with pliers, or simply cut the tops off of both of the bags. Roll down the edges of the bags - this creates a float around the edge of the bag. At this point, the fish no longer have a source of oxygen. We therefore recommend that you place an airstone in the bag during the chemical acclimation period. Each bag initially contains 1.5 gallons of water. The objective is to double the volume of water in the bag by using only water from the receiving tank. Do this by adding 1.5 gallons of water in small amounts over the course of 10-15 minutes (if the pH of the water in the receiving tank is in excess of 7.8, add water over 15 minutes time).

Step 4 (Fish addition): Following Step 3, add fish to tank(s) by inverting each bag. The fish will typically migrate to the bottom of the tank until they are accustomed to their new surroundings. They will generally accept food within a few hours.