pH shock

[pnyklr3]

*I tried serching this, but "pH" is too short of a word to search with.*

How long does it take for pH shock to set in? I received some fish in the mail today, and began floating the bags so that I could bring them up to temp and drip my tank water in. Well, after floating for about 10 minutes, on of the bags tipped, and let the fish out. I cam down to find an empty bag and a fish swimming happily. How long does it take for pH shock to set if (if it is going to happen)?

The shipper's pH is 7.2 and mine is about 8.8. What is the opinion of the board? lol

As a side note: Does the pH of the water in the bag change during shipping?

 

[yvez9]

the pH will most likely change as the fish's urine and the lower oxygen level in the bag over time will alter it.

As for how long it can take to kill a fish, depends on the fish itself, the difference in pH and the difference in the water contents... I'd say if the fish goes by a week, you can be pretty sure it will be fine.

 

[pnyklr3]

A week? Wow. They are dwarf cockatoo cichlids....she had better last through the week! lol Thanks for the quick reply.

 

[yvez9]

Wish you luck buddy!

I had that happen to me with a betta and it was fine although it wasn't a big difference in water paramters. Plus, I didn't even get a chance to adapt temperature as the fish jumped right out of the bag

 

[WILDER]

Days to a week.