1. You will receive your fish in a sealed bag with water, oxygen and stress coat. You must get your fish home and into your pond or quarantine tank as soon as possible.  Avoid leaving them in the sun or hot car.  If your drive home is long (over 1 hour) you should transport your fish in an insulated container (styrofoam cooler) with an ice pack under the bag.
2. Float the sealed bag of fish in a shaded portion of your pond until the water in the bag is the same temperature as your pond water.  This will normally take 10-15 minutes.  NOTE: If your fish are double bagged, remove the outer bag before floating.  If your pond is large be sure to tether the bag so it doesn't drift out of reach.
3. Open the bag, pour out about 20%of the water, NOT into the pond, then scoop the same amount of water back into the bag from your pond.  Repeat this 4-5 times in five minute intervals.  This procedure will ensure that the water in the bag is of the same chemical make up and temperature as your pond, greatly reducing stress to your new fish.
4. Release the fish into your pond using a small, soft net and your hands.  Be sure the net and your hands are wet BEFORE touching the fish and handle them as gently and as little as possible.  Do NOT dump the water from the bag into your pond.
5. Your new fish may be skittish for a few days or even weeks and will hide from sight.  Once they become acclimated to their new home they will venture out and begin to come up for food.  Feed them only once or twice daily, no more than they consume within 5-10 minutes.  Any left over food should be removed from the pond.  (See our 'Fish Feeding Guide' for information on proper feeding of your fish.)

Our fish go through a stringent quarantine process prior to being sold.  We do everything possible to ensure that we offer only clean, healthy, parasite free fish for sale.  There is however, always a certain amount of risk involved anytime fish are moved.  Due to the fact that we have no control over any environmental factors once fish leave our store we can not guarantee fish and assume no liability once they leave our premises.