Fish Care

	Caring for your fish Your new fish were healthy to the best of our knowledge when sold to you. If your pond provides a healthy environment, they should continue to grow and flourish. Prior to adding fish to your pond, please ensure that: Your water looks and smells reasonably clean – not putrid. Some algae growth is normal and even healthy for the fish. Be certain there is no chlorine, rotting plant/animal matter, or heavy sludge on the bottom. Test your water if in any doubt. pH should be around 7, nitrates under 80 ppm, nitrites 0, ammonia 0, carbonates (KH) 120-180. Most healthy ponds naturally fall within these parameters. Temperature should not regularly exceed 80 degrees. When you bring your fish home: *Float bag ½ hour to acclimate before release.* *Thereafter:* *Provide cover and protection from predators in the form of plants and/or caves.* Feed fish once or twice a day, only as much as they can eat up in 3-5 minutes. Remove any leftovers. New fish are insecure and appreciate sinking food (soak the pellets ahead of time so they’ll sink.) *Notice any unusual behavior – if fish aren’t acting normal, test your water. Chasing is breeding behavior, (and is normal).* *If the pond is new or heavily stocked (>1” fish per 10 gallons water), test water frequently. Also test any time there is a change in water quality/clarity.*
	*Fall/Winter Care* Switch to a wheat-germ based fish food when nighttime temps drop below 55^o. Fish will eat less. Do not feed at all if water is below 50^o. *Fish can winter in the pond. Clean out any dead leaves. Use a heater to keep a hole open and a small pump in the bottom to keep water circulating.* If you bring your fish indoors, provide the largest tank you can, add salt at the rate of 1 tsp. per gallon, cover the tank with a screen, keep it in a cool place, feed sparingly (if the water is >50^o), *and test regularly for ammonia and nitrite.* *Return fish to pond in spring after a thorough cleanout and after the water* *temperature stabilizes (May).* ******************************************************************************* Warranty If you follow all these instructions and a fish you bought from us dies within 72 hours of purchase, we will replace it with another similar in-stock fish once if you present the deceased fish along with a water sample and your sales slip within the 72-hour period. We do not replace fish that jumped out, were eaten, or were otherwise killed by mechanical or non-disease related causes, or fish that were poisoned by high ammonia levels. **************************************