Quote:
Originally Posted by albin35
I have heard fresh water from a garden hose used to clean a live well will affect the bait. The Clorine in tap water acts like poison and kills the bacteria needed to circulate the oxegen in the water. Try washing the live well with salt water only and never adding fresh water.
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The amount of chlorine dissolved in tap water will evaporate out in about 24 hours. I used to keep Discus and I would leave an open jugs for 24 hours to age to make water changes. I read it somewhere, and at $40-$75 a fish I had to feel safe and never had a problem.
I would look for some other type of contaminate. I hope you didn't happen to get straight bleach in it? Thats a biatch to get out and I wouldn't feel safe for weeks after bleach. You could scrub it using vinegar safely if in doubt, give it a good rinse and 24 hours before use.
Is the water at a different temperature? If the temperature changes too rapidly it can harm the bait also, it would take quite a swing in temperature to kill Mackerel though

Was there a major change in salinity?