Transporting Big Fish A Long Way

[Miss Wiggle]

Had an offer of a home for my Oscar, but it's a fair way away.

I've no issue with driving him down there but it's around a 4 hr journey.

How would I go about safely transporting a 10" fish that far?

 

[andywg]

My guess is:

A large bag, a large polybox and some heat packs.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

do heat packs have thermostats or do they just continually heat?

as the weather is brightening up and the journey is likely to be made in the next month or so when it'll be warm would having a heat pack on potentially cause problems? you can get oxygenating tablets to go in fish bags, are they actually any good?

i'd maybe get a really big bag and put a thermometer (not one he can break) in with him so we can check every hr or so if the temp is acceptable and add/remove the heat pack as nescessary

 

[andywg]

Sounds like you have it pretty much covered. Obviously if the weather is warm then you won't need the heat packs. The poly boxes will keep them pretty warm.

 

[Socks]

the air tabs do work......but even better would be a portable pump,the kind the sell for keeping fishing bait alive.They are loud,but they are cheap (about $10 U.S.),and they run off 1 "d" cell battrie for about 12 hours.They also come in handy if they power goes out.

 

[Miss Wiggle]

would a portable pump be ok in a fishy bag?? no chance of it splitting it or anything?

 

[catherine896]

I wouldnt risk it, just incase it did split the bag.
I'd just use the oxygen tablets and the thermometer.

Best of luck

 

[geo7x]

if the polybox is bigger than the bag when filled then get some empty bags, blow them up, put a knot in the top and pack them in around the oscars bag, it will prevent it from rolling around.

I would use more than one bag on the oscar, just incase one split there would be a second or third layer. This is only generally done with spiney fish but i personally would for peace of mind more than anything

 

[Darkstar]

I think you'll be fine without the heatpacks and portable air pumps....4 hrs isn't a long time really. I've done far longer transporting fish with no problems and without any of the equipment your talking about or being reommnended...

 

[guppy_man]

if i was you id buy a 2ft toy plastic box, cover the bottom of the box in those polystyrene bits, have the oscar bag in the middle and a few blown up fish bags around the outside of the oscar bag to stop him from moving around


I wouldnt think that there would be a need for and oxygenating tablet in there, just make sure the temp doesn't drop too low.



whos the lucky new owner then?

 

[Miss Wiggle]

JamieH has kindly offered him a home which sounds promising although we have some details to iron out before we make a concrete descision

he's offered to send me a 2'x2' polybox which should be big enough to transport him in. i'd double bag him in some big clear rubble sacks, add an oxygenating tablet and depending on the weather add a heat pack to the box. then pack out the rest of the polybox (if need be) with normal fish bags inflated.

 

[DevUK]

My brother moved his oscar in a large "cooler". solid plastic, insulated.. good combination I would think a bag inside the cooler would be best though, with relevant padding etc

 

[cheesy feet]

I use a special polystyrene fishy box.Fill it up with tank water place the fish/fishes in and put the water tight lid on.Keeps the water warm and gives fish plenty of room.Tbh i think the oscar would be fine without heatpacks.Just keep the heating on in the car

 

[Paul_MTS]

I think everyones gone a bit OTT really.

Get some large fish bags, tripple bag him with enough water to cover him and rest of the space for air. Stick him in a poly box, pad out any spaces.

Chuck him in the back of the car and forget about him for a journey!

Cookie the fahaka puffer travellled this way for 4+ hours. Drove him to northampton at 4am then guy met m and drove another 2 hours back to his house. I did it the same as I just said, big bags, poly box and padding!

 

[Miss Wiggle]

I think everyones gone a bit OTT really.

Get some large fish bags, tripple bag him with enough water to cover him and rest of the space for air. Stick him in a poly box, pad out any spaces.

Chuck him in the back of the car and forget about him for a journey!

Cookie the fahaka puffer travellled this way for 4+ hours. Drove him to northampton at 4am then guy met m and drove another 2 hours back to his house. I did it the same as I just said, big bags, poly box and padding!

thanks everyone

feeling reasonably confident about doing it