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Should City water be treated before use with pet fish?
Yes. Your drinking water contains disinfectants to inhibit
bacterial growth. These disinfectants can kill fish. Chlorine
may be neutralized by adding appropriate chemicals that are available
at most pet stores. Chlorine may also be removed with a granular
activated carbon (GAC) water filter. Chlorine can be removed
from water by letting a container of the water sit exposed to
the atmosphere (uncovered) for at least 48 hours.
Some fish, particularly tropical fish and koi, are also
sensitive to rapid changes in the temperature and pH of the
water, even small changes. If you are going to change the
water in an aquarium or pond, or add a significant amount
of new water, consult an experienced fish care expert for
tips on how to accomplish this without shocking or killing
the fish.
Some people may be concerned that water harmful to fish
might not be safe for humans to drink. This concern is unwarranted.
Humans and fish use water in very different ways. When humans
drink water, the chlorine or chloramines are neutralized by
the digestive system before it enters our bloodstream. When
fish "breathe" water, chlorine or chloramines enter
their bloodstream directly. This interferes with the fish's
ability to take oxygen from the water and can cause the fish
to suffocate.
To further illustrate this point, consider
orange juice. People are urged to drink orange juice for
its health benefits. However, if a fish were placed in a
bowl of orange juice, it would suffer a swift and unpleasant
death.
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