Because water supplies throughout Australia vary greatly in their chemical composition, it is important that at least the pH and hardness of your water supply is known before it is used for keeping fish. Even if your water starts off perfect, quite drastic changes occur in it's chemistry, once it is used for aquarium fish.

It is imperative that newly purchased fish go into water that is suitable for that species. It has been established that more losses of aquarium fish occur due to incorrect water conditions, than due to disease.

SHIPPING
Most fish shipped by professional organisations  are packed in water that has a pH of approx. 7.0 and a hardness of about 150pppm.

Fish requiring specialised conditions, such as African cichlids and brackish water fish are packed in water covering their specific requirements.

During transport, the water in the shipping bags will change with ammonia levels and carbon dioxide increasing and oxygen levels decreasing. The pH also usually drops, with levels even less than pH 6.0 being possible, depending on the length of time fish are packed.

FISH ARE UNDER STRESS, TOXINS ACCUMULATE

PRIOR TO ARRIVAL
Before putting away any shipment, ensure the following have been checked:

1. Tanks are clean and water is clear.
2. Gravel is not dirty, (which would cause suspension in water and clogged sub sand filters).
3. Water should have had at least 1/3 water change weekly, to ensure a dilution of fish waste. (Anti chlorine should have been used).
4. The pH of all tanks should be near neutral (or adjusted to suit individual species).
5. Water hardness should be adjusted to suit individual species (See technical notes on water hardness).
6. Be aware of the temperature range of all your tanks.
7. Occasionally a tank will look o.k. but fish die for no apparent reason. Many chemicals and poisons can't be easily measured or detected. If any tank has proved to be troublesome, strip down completely before using again.
8. Water should be drained and sand rinsed thoroughly (not sterilised) regularly; preferably each time all fish are sold out. Dumping new fish on top of old is a risky practice.
9. Pre-plan species mix for each aquarium.
10. Aquarium treatments available.
11. Nets disinfected.

ON ARRIVAL

1. Fish should be removed from bags as soon as possible (fish in bags are usually under stress).
2. Do not float bags of fish for long periods; 5 to 10 minutes is usually enough time to equalise temperature.
3. Once the bags are opened and the oxygen released, fish should be transferred to their aquarium as soon as possible. Floating opened bags can lead to fish suffocating within minutes.
4. It is preferable not to release water from the bags into the aquarium if the shipping water is cloudy, dirty or the fish have been in transit for a lengthy period of time. (The shipping water becomes loaded with ammonia and other waste products from the fish).

AFTER ARRIVAL

1. Check fish very carefully for signs of columnaris disease (body and mouth rot) which may have developed during transit. Treat with Antibac if this bacterial disease is suspected. (This is a high risk factor with live bearers).
2. Ensure tanks are not over crowded.
3. Check compatibility of all species housed together
4. Give fish time to settle before feeding. (Day after arrival).
5. Cover fish that jump.
6. Check air flow to all tanks.

Problems? Check
WATER QUALITY: pH? Hardness? Temperature?

What was the condition of the fish and the shipping bag on arrival?
When did the symptoms appear?
What treatments have been added?

If no symptoms of disease are apparent and the previously mentioned conditions are alright, try moving the fish to another tank. This often works as many incorrect water conditions are virtually impossible to test for.

Black mollies are one of the most popular varieties of aquarium fish. Their jet black colour and peaceful nature contribute to their popularity.

Mollies are active inquisitive fish normally swimming at the front of the aquarium where they make a nice display. Their diet should include vegetable matter or algae which they usually find by themselves, by constantly grazing on plants and other surfaces in the aquarium.

They are easy to breed live bearers and sexes can be differentiated by the males' anal fin which is modified to form a point.