Acclimation and Care

🐠 BEFORE ARRIVAL — Preparing for Your New Ranchu Goldfish

1️⃣ Quarantine Tank Setup

A quarantine tank is essential for all new Ranchu or fancy goldfish. Keep newcomers isolated for at least two weeks to protect your existing fish and monitor their health.

  • Tank size: Use a 30+ gallon aquarium or large plastic storage bin.
  • Opaque containers help reduce stress for shy or newly shipped goldfish.
  • Why large tanks matter: More water means more stable water parameters, helping your fish recover faster after shipping.

2️⃣ Water Preparation

Prepare water at least 72 hours in advance to allow it to stabilize and become safe for your live goldfish.

  • Always test for chlorine and chloramine — simply aging water doesn’t remove chloramine.
  • If you’re short on time, treat tap water with a trusted water conditioner such as Seachem Prime to neutralize harmful chemicals.
  • Using an air pump helps maintain oxygen and reduces stress on your new Ranchu goldfish.

3️⃣ Aeration

An air pump is vital for new arrivals. Ranchu and other goldfish often arrive tired after shipping and need high oxygen levels to recover.

  • Adjust the air flow so one area of the tank has gentle movement for the fish to rest.

4️⃣ Filtration

Use a new sponge filter to maintain clean water. Avoid using old filters that may carry unwanted bacteria or parasites.

  • Clean, well-filtered water helps your goldfish stay healthy and adapt quickly to their new home.

5️⃣ Heater (Optional)

Goldfish thrive around 75–77°F (24–25°C).

  • Heating isn’t usually required indoors, but if temperatures fall below 70°F, fish may slow down.
  • Use a small aquarium heater to keep your Ranchu goldfish active and healthy in cooler months.

💧 AFTER ARRIVAL — Acclimating Your Goldfish

1️⃣ Dim the Lights

Keep the room quiet and dimly lit. After shipping, Ranchu goldfish prefer a calm environment to rest and adjust.

2️⃣ Temperature Acclimation

Float the sealed shipping bag in your quarantine tank for about one hour to match temperatures.

  • Gently rotate the bag every 10 minutes for even adjustment.
  • Use a thermometer to confirm both waters are within 1–2°F.

3️⃣ Transfer the Fish

Once the temperature matches, carefully transfer the fish with clean hands or a soft net.
⚠️ Do not pour the bag water into your tank — always discard it to prevent contamination.

4️⃣ Feeding Schedule

  • Day 1: No feeding. Keep the lights off and let your Ranchu rest.
  • Day 2: If swimming normally, offer up to 10 small soft pellets per fish.
  • Observe closely — if fish float, sink, or seem lethargic, stop feeding and monitor.

5️⃣ Water Changes

Use aged or conditioned water (with Seachem Prime or similar) for all changes.

  • Replace 10–20% of tank water 1–2 times per week.
  • Consistent, stable water quality is key to healthy, long-lived fancy goldfish.

💡 Pro Tips for Success

  • Quarantine is essential. It prevents most health issues and protects your collection.
  • Test water regularly with the API Master Test Kit and chlorine/chloramine test strips.
  • Use Seachem Prime or another quality conditioner for safety — just one 500ml bottle treats up to 5,000 gallons, making it both effective and economical.