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- 1). Set up the 100-gallon tank and allow it to season for at least six months. Be sure to put plenty of large rocks in the tank to give the banded butterfly fish a place to hide and lay eggs. Mollies and other starter fish may be placed in it to allow the bacteria to populate and grow appropriately. The starter fish should be removed before placing the banded butterfly fish into the tank.
- 2). Test the tank prior to placing the banded butterfly fish into it. The pH level for the saltwater tank should test at 8.2. Pay close attention to the instructions on the pH tester, as each testing unit is slightly different. Be sure that the water temperature is 78 degrees Fahrenheit. This can be checked by viewing the thermometers in the tanks. More than one thermometer will help to verify that the water temperature is the same throughout the tank.
- 3). Acclimate the banded butterfly fish to the tank before transferring the fish. Remove the fish from the original tank and place it in a plastic bag with water from the original tank. Tie or zip-tie the bag shut. Place the fish and the bag in the new tank. Allow the fish and bag to sit for 30 minutes to allow the fish to become used to the water temperature.
- 4). Carefully release the fish into the water. Do not offer food immediately. Keep the room in which the aquarium is located quiet, as the fish may feel stressed after the move. The fish may attack each other, but the rocks will provide hiding places for them and the 100 gallons will provide them with the room they need to feel comfortable.
- 5). Once the fish have laid eggs, it may be advisable to remove the fish from the tank to provide the eggs with the best chance of hatching. Do not allow the adult fish to remain in the tank after the fry have hatched, as the adults may eat the baby fish.
Increasing the Odds
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