Transitioning Brackish Water Fish

[Africa aquatic]

Hi All

Just a question as has been mentioned earlier many brackish fish species are sold as freshwater fish. So my question is how do you go about increasing the salt level in the tank and how long should it take to avoid shocking the fish? Is it easier to have a brackish setup ready or would you start from freshwater and slowly add the salt ? I am thinking puffers as an example.

Thanks
Luke

 

[Mr. Limpet]

Generally a brackish setup is best. Most brackish fish are used to rapid swings in salinity. Being in freshwater is very stressful for some species. Freshwater Morays in particular are high end brackish/ marine fish that fare very poorly in freshwater. Green Spotted Puffers on the other hand are can at least live in hard freshwater for a month or so without pushing up daisies. I always practically just plunk my fish in my tank. Keeping fish in small containers while drip acclimating can be quite stressful.

 

[creeker]

Fresh to brackish I do pretty fast as well. Maybe an hour or so. Brackish to fresh I go much slower, usually a few days of gradually diminishing salt.

 

[divegirl]

Also, there are a lot of Puffers out there! Any kind you had in mind in particular?

Lisa x

 

[Africa aquatic]

Hi

Yes figure 8 pufffers. I posted this thread as I have heard of contradicting methods of getting brackish species from the shop water to tolerating salt. Thanks for your input.

Luke