Transporting Fish

Acara Man · Jul 16, 2009

For a six hour journey...

Am I better bagging the fish (3 Acara, 2 FM, 4 Silver Dollars, 1 Pictus Cat and 1 RTBS) individually or will they be better in a cooler box full of water...say with an estimated 40 odd litres in?

Heat shouldnt be an issue as it will be done in summer...

If I bag them they will be stored in the cooler box (without water obviously) and with oxygen tablets in each. Should I bag the Silver Dollars in pairs?

starrynightxxi · Jul 16, 2009

I did a similarly timed trip last summer (plus some because one of the cars broke down) with my fish and I bagged them and put them in a cooloer/shipping box. I think if you fill the cooler with water you have more risk of leakage or of the lid coming open. In my case, I put some of the fish in bags together, and some separate, depending mostly on size. I guess with the SDs I would say that you should use your best judgement, but if you have enough bags, they should be fine on their own for the journey

Tolak · Jul 16, 2009

Don't feed for 24 hours before the trip, double bag with 1/3 water, 2/3 air. Invert the first bag into the second, this eliminates folds & corners where the fish can get trapped. For 6 hours there is nothing more that needs to be done, no O2 tabs, nothing.

The cooler is a good idea, not only to maintain temperature, but to provide a dark environment. This has a calming effect, less stress means healthier fish.

Acara Man · Jul 18, 2009

Yeah will be double bagged...and each bag then placed inside a dark coloured carrier bag to keep out light...then all placed in a cooler box for safety. The Acaras will definately be bagged seperately as will the FMs. The Pictus will be bagged on its side so it can move freely. I'm a bit worried about its dorsal spike puncturing a bag so I may transport him in a sandwich sized tupperware box with small holes drilled in the top - that will then be placed in the bottom of the cooler so it will stay level.