Osmotic Shock
Water-chemistry crash from sudden parameter shiftDefinition
Osmotic shock occurs when fish are moved between water chemistries with significantly different TDS, pH, or salinity. Cell membranes burst from osmotic pressure imbalance.
Practical use
Common cause: dumping shipping water into tank (saltinity mismatch) or water changes with un-matched RODI. Symptoms: shimmying, lethargy, mass die-off in hours. Prevention: drip acclimation 60-90 min, parameter-match all replacement water.
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