Water Dog Care Guide

Water Dog Care Guide

A Complete Guide to Welcoming Your New Water Dog Home

Fin & Family

Your Water Dog has made quite the journey to reach you. This guide will help you give them the warmest, safest welcome possible — and set the foundation for a long, happy life together.

PART ONE: BEFORE YOUR WATER DOG ARRIVES

Preparation is the single most important factor in your Water Dog's health. Please have everything ready at least 72 hours before your Water Dog's arrival date.

1. Quarantine Tank Setup

Setting up a dedicated quarantine tank is required for all newly arrived Water Dogs. Keeping your new Water Dog separate from existing fish for a minimum of two weeks protects both parties from potential illness or stress-related complications.

  • Container type: Any watertight container — glass aquarium or opaque plastic storage bin — is suitable. Opaque containers are especially helpful for timid Water Dogs as they reduce visual stress from their surroundings.

  • Minimum volume: A minimum of 30 gallons is strongly recommended. Larger water volumes dilute waste more effectively, keeping water parameters stable — which is critical while your Water Dog recovers from transit.

  • Please note: If you choose to skip the quarantine period, Fin & Family is unable to provide after-sales protection for your Water Dog.

Tip: Opaque containers help Water Dogs feel secure and reduce stress. A calm environment leads to faster recovery.

2. Water Preparation

Your tank water must be prepared at least 72 hours before your Water Dog arrives. Pre-aged tap water undergoes natural off-gassing and is far less irritating to your Water Dog's sensitive mucous membranes than freshly drawn water.

  • 72-hour rule: Fill your tank 72 or more hours in advance. No dechlorinator or additives are necessary — plain tap water aged for three days is perfectly safe for Water Dogs.

  • Aeration: Run your air pump throughout the aging period to encourage circulation and gas exchange.

3. Air Pump and Oxygenation

Adequate dissolved oxygen is essential for Water Dog health — an air pump is required, not optional. However, Water Dogs arriving after a long journey need to rest, so balance oxygenation with a calm, low-current area in the tank.

  • Equipment: Use an air pump with adjustable flow settings.

  • Placement: Position the air stone so that one section of the tank has gentle, slow-moving water — this provides your Water Dog with a quiet resting area.

4. Filtration

Sponge filters are the ideal choice for a quarantine tank. They provide reliable biological filtration without creating strong currents that can tire or stress your Water Dog. Always use a brand-new sponge filter for quarantine setups to eliminate any risk of bacterial contamination from previous use.

5. Temperature Control

Water Dogs are most comfortable at approximately 77 degrees Fahrenheit (25 degrees Celsius). Slightly warmer water increases metabolism and accelerates recovery — but temperature changes must always be gradual.

  • Gradual warming: When your Water Dog arrives, check the temperature of the bag water with a thermometer. If the bag reads 40 degrees, set your heater to 45 degrees on day one. Increase by no more than 5 degrees per day until reaching your target temperature.

  • When to use a heater: Most indoor setups at normal room temperature do not require a heater. Use one only if your home is consistently below 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius).

  • Caution: A temperature shift of more than 5 degrees within a 24-hour period places serious physiological stress on your Water Dog.

Tip: A digital aquarium thermometer is one of the most valuable tools you can own. Check the temperature each day for the first two weeks.

PART TWO: AFTER YOUR WATER DOG ARRIVES

Your Water Dog's first week at home is the most critical period. Follow these steps carefully and resist the urge to over-handle or overfeed. Patience now builds a foundation of trust for years to come.

1. Create a Calm, Dim Environment

In nature, Water Dogs instinctively seek sheltered, shaded areas when stressed. Replicate this by reducing light and minimising noise around the quarantine tank.

  • Turn off overhead aquarium lighting for the first 24 to 48 hours.

  • Place the tank in a quiet corner, away from foot traffic, televisions, and speakers.

  • Limit observation to brief, quiet check-ins. Your Water Dog does not know you yet — give it time to settle before introducing interaction.

2. Temperature Acclimatisation

Never release your Water Dog directly into the tank. Use the following float method to safely equalise bag and tank temperatures before introduction:

  • Float the sealed bag on the tank surface for 30 to 60 minutes. Do not open the bag during this time.

  • Gently rotate the bag every 10 minutes to distribute heat evenly throughout the water inside.

  • Use a thermometer to confirm that the bag water and tank water are within 2 degrees Fahrenheit of each other before proceeding.

3. Releasing Your Water Dog

Once temperatures have equalised, use a clean net to carefully transfer your Water Dog into the tank. Discard all water from the shipping bag — it may contain elevated ammonia accumulated during transit. Do not pour bag water into your tank under any circumstances.

4. Feeding Schedule

Overfeeding during the first week is one of the most common mistakes new owners make. It pollutes the water rapidly and stresses a Water Dog that is still recovering. Please follow this schedule carefully:

  • Day 1 (Arrival): Do not feed your Water Dog on the day of arrival. Allow it to rest and begin adjusting to its new environment.

  • Day 2: Observe your Water Dog. If it is swimming normally and appears alert and curious, offer a small number of soft, sinking pellets — no more than 10 pellets per fish. A healthy, adapting Water Dog will eat eagerly.

  • Day 3: If appetite was good on Day 2, offer two feedings with a 4-hour gap between each session. Keep each feeding to 10 pellets per fish maximum.

  • Days 4 through 7: Continue with twice-daily feedings at approximately 10 pellets per fish. Do not introduce new food types or treats during this period.

Tip: If your Water Dog is floating near the surface or lying motionless on the tank floor for extended periods, stop feeding immediately and contact Fin & Family.

5. Water Changes

With a 30-gallon quarantine tank and a conservative feeding schedule, daily water changes are generally not required during the first week. Monitor the following two indicators to determine when a partial water change is needed:

  • Persistent surface bubbles: If bubbles produced by the air pump hold their shape and linger on the water surface for extended periods without breaking, water quality is declining. Perform a 10 to 20 percent water change.

  • Excessive surface foam: A concentrated accumulation of foam on the water surface also indicates elevated organic matter. Perform a 10 to 20 percent water change.

  • Replacement water: Always replace with pre-aged water (aged at least 48 hours) that matches your tank temperature within 2 degrees Fahrenheit.

  • Important: Never perform a full or near-full water change during the first two weeks. This removes beneficial bacteria and causes sudden shifts in water parameters that are harmful to your Water Dog.

Once your Water Dog has settled in and fully recovered its strength, you will discover just how personable and rewarding these remarkable companions truly are.

We are here to support you every step of the way.

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