Barbs

Question
Hi, I currently have a brackish water tank.  My intention was to keep puffer fish.  However this did not work as planned and they are difficult to get in my area.  Nevertheless i have two tiger barbs in the tank who are  doing very well.  I now want to convert my tank to  freshwater. My question is can I remove the barbs out of the brackish water tank and put them into my other freshwater tank so i can empty the brackish water out or will they die?

Answer
HI Daniel. It would not be wise to take your barbs out of the brackish water they were acclimated to and toss them in freshwater. You will have to acclimate them back very slowly as such a quick change in pressure and pH can kill the fish rather quickly. Simply do small partial water changes on the tank they are in over the next few days to a week. Take out enough water each time so as to have done a 100% partial water change by the time you are done. For instance if you have a ten gallon tank then take out two gallons of the brackish water and replace it with fresh everyday for the next five days. Your barbs will greatly appreciate your patience with this and thank you by surviving!