Angelfish Acclimation Guide

Help Your New Fish Thrive With a Stress-Free Transition

Bringing new fish home is exciting, and proper care during the acclimation process is essential to ensure your new aquatic friends thrive in their new environment. At Angie’s Fish Room, we want your fish to stay healthy and happy long after they arrive.

Angelfish are beautiful, sensitive freshwater fish that do best when acclimated slowly and gently. Whether you’ve purchased Gold Marble, Bulgarian Green Paraiba, or another variety from Angie’s Fish Room, proper acclimation helps reduce stress and sets them up for success in your aquarium.

Why Acclimation Matters

Angelfish are especially sensitive to sudden changes in:

• Temperature – they prefer a stable 78–82°F
• pH – ideally between 6.5–7.5
• Water hardness – soft to moderately hard water is best
• Stress – clamped fins, fading color, or erratic swimming can be signs of poor acclimation

Slow acclimation gives them time to adjust and prevents shock.

Step-by-Step Acclimation Instructions

1. Float the Bag – 30 Minutes

Place the sealed bag in your aquarium to allow the temperature to match. Float it for 30 full minutes. Do not open the bag during this time.

2. Open the Bag and Create a Collar

After floating, carefully open the bag and roll down the top edge to create a sturdy collar. Let the bag float upright in your aquarium. This will keep it stable as you begin adding water.

3. Add Tank Water Slowly

Every 5–10 minutes, add a small amount (about 1/4 cup) of your tank water into the bag. Repeat this process over 30–45 minutes to gradually match the water chemistry.

4. Remove Water and Continue

Gently pour out some of the bag water (not into the tank) and continue adding small amounts of tank water. The goal is to end with mostly aquarium water inside the bag.

5. Net the Fish Into Your Tank

Use a clean net to gently transfer your angelfish into your tank. Do not dump the bag water into your aquarium—discard it safely.

6. Let Them Settle

Keep tank lights off for a few hours. Do not feed immediately—wait at least 24 hours to let your fish relax and adjust.

Additional Tips

• Test your tank water before your fish arrive. Ammonia and nitrites should be zero.
• If possible, quarantine new arrivals in a separate tank for 2–4 weeks.
• Avoid large water changes, medications, or rearranging décor right after adding new fish.
• Skip feeding the first day—this reduces stress and avoids uneaten food.
• Keep the environment stable with gentle flow and consistent parameters.