Fish Transportation

[Jabba]

When the new tank goes in I am obtaining some additional occupants that have outgrown their current homes. This will involve a trip of at least 100 miles in two cases so up to 2.5 hours I have allowed for on each trip.

In one trip it will be 4 Tinfoil barbs (all approx 6").

In another trip it will be a Bala shark (5"), Clown Loach (4") and a 12" Sailfin Plec.

My plan is to use 'breathing bags' - some special sort of plastic that lets O2 in and CO2 out 1 per fish and each with an O2 tablet dropped in for good measure, the bags are 11.5"x19", the bags will then be placed into a cool box for the trip and the lid on to keep it dark and hopefully the fish calm, I hadn't planned on any heat packs. I plan to open the box again slowly and in subdued lighting.

Question : Will this be enough for a max 2.5 hour trip??

I know that Clown Loaches can open plastic bags for fun if they get startled but am unsure about Plecs - especially a big one - should I get the coolbox filled above the level of the bags with the guys tank water to be sure? or maybe even slightly warmer water, I also plan to raise the temperature inside the car to at least 24 Deg C.

 

[Bignose]

Since you are only going 100 miles, and I am assuming you are driving, why don't you use some large plastic tubs? That's what I did when I moved 300 miles. Larger volumes of water hold their heat longer, won't be depleted of O2 as quickly, etc. Plus, the fish won't be able to puncture the plastic tub like a thin bag.

 

[DiscusKeeper403]

Yep, agreed. You can pick up a 5 or more gallon tub and lid from most hardware stores. Drop an 02 tablet in (Tom Airstone i'm assuming) and you should be good to go.

 

[BigC]

Go to your LFS and request a couple of large Polystyrene Live Fish Freight Boxes (they should have some spare) and get some large fish bags whilst you're there.
Bag the fish individually with more air in the bag than water (1/2 : 2/3) no need to use breathable bags. Now double bag each and individual fish. Line the poly box with bubble wrap and newspaper and lay your bags carefully within. You can either use heatpacks at this point or if you are transporting the fish yourself then boil a kettle and let it cool down a little and fill 2x 2ltr lemonade bottles with the hot water and place in opposite corners of the polybox, place an extra layer of newspaper and bubble wrap over the top of all the contents and seal the lid with packaging tape. This will easily see you through the 100 mile journey and beyond.
Regards
BigC

 

[rabbut]

The Sailfin Pleco will easily peirce any fish bag in transit, so needs to be moved in a large-ish plastic box. If the box will be for fish transport only, pierce holes in the centre of the lid. This will allow for air to transfer in and out of the box easily, without the risk of loosing water in the car (assuming you use packing tape on the box lid for water tightness). All of your fish are large, so it would be best to use boxes wherever possible. Be wary of the front end of the clown loach. they have a claw-like attachment just behind the gill plates, that they use for self defence. Aviod getting your hand too close, as the loach may well be able to draw blood at that size. Avoid the oxygenation tablets where ever possible, as they will raise the hardness of the water. Although this shoulde'nt be too bad water quality wise, it would increase the stress uppon the fish. I refur to [post="207210"]this thread[/post] in the scientiffic section, outlining good evidence for hardness changes adding to potential problems for acclimatisation. This applies to transit, as the water conditions in the container will be different to those of the tank, if oxygenation tablts are used, so acclimatisation starts before you get the fish home.
HTH
rabbut

 

[Jabba]

Thanks guys, I think plastic tubs it will be.

The only fish that concern me O2 wise are the Tinfoils, they are large fish and it is my understanding that Tinfoils are the first to go because of bad O2 levels - followed by the Bala Sharks.

Can't find the O2 artivcle though - the link doesn't seem to be it and the stupid search feature says O2 is too short to search for ... I so wish people would learn that sometimes 2 characters IS a valid search length when configuring forum search options.

 

[merry78]

why not search for oxygen?

 

[Jabba]

It didn't return anything related to O2 Tablets and water hardness - perhaps it is water hardness v acclimitisation alone

 

[DiscusKeeper403]

Thanks guys, I think plastic tubs it will be.

The only fish that concern me O2 wise are the Tinfoils, they are large fish and it is my understanding that Tinfoils are the first to go because of bad O2 levels - followed by the Bala Sharks.

Can't find the O2 artivcle though - the link doesn't seem to be it and the stupid search feature says O2 is too short to search for ... I so wish people would learn that sometimes 2 characters IS a valid search length when configuring forum search options.

If you want a good 02 product try Tom Oxygen stones.

Taken off aquatichouse.com
Oxygen is extremely important to all living things.
OXYGEN STONE 5pk. generates oxygen when immersed in water. It keeps producing oxygen for about one month, enabling you to safely keep your fish in the tank without the use of an air pump!

Find it Here just scroll down and you will see a 5 pack for 7.99, although you might want to try a UK based website depending on where your located.