The big move

[Fiddlesticks]

Well My 60 seems to finnaly be done cycling, so Im gonna move angel and friends (friends being 2 rhino pl*cs) from the 20 to the 60gal. Seeing as Iv never moved fish to a new tank before I have some questions.
1: How can I make the move as stress free and comfortable as possible for angel and friends.
2: In the first week or so what should I look for specifically as an indication that all is not well.
3: The 60 gal is 2-3 degrees warmer that the 20 is. Should I be concerned? Should I turn the temp in the 60 down a degree or 2 and then slowly back up after everyone is settled, or just leave it.
p.s. the 60 has one common pl*c already in it.
thanks in advance

 

[jams.alaskan]

If it were mine and I had the time to do it, I'd match the temp by turning the new one down a few degrees. It just cuts out one of the stress factors for moving fish and only one soul is living there right now... Are you going to "float" the fish you are moving over? I've had trouble floating plecs before as they always seem to puncture the bags with those sharp spiney fins.

ALASKA

 

[thecichlidaddict]

1. Keeping the lights off can help the fish feel a little more comfortable as they get used to the switch. Don't complicate and prolong the process, just move them.

2. Just look for irregular behavior - lethargy, gasping, awkward swimming etc.

3. 2° is pretty insignificant, I wouldn't worry about it myself, but you will find that other fish keepers may be more paranoid about it then myself.

 

[tstenback]

I agree with thecichlidaddict on this one. Keep it simple just move the fish and watch them in their new environment as you would any new addition to a tank.

 

[jumpman]

The quicker you move them and let them settle in, the less stress on the fish. I don't even use a bucket when I move fish tank to tank, just a net and my hand to support....never had a problem.