Moving (traveling) with a goldfish?

Question

Can anyone give advice as to how to travel with a goldfish? we have had him for so long, and he has his own round bowl that he's always been in. We are rather fond of him, but don't know if there is a safe way to move him! I know it's a silly question, but I need to know! Thank you.

Thanks to everyone for these awesome answers!!! I wish I could vote them all as best answer!

Answer 1

if you have a small cooler you can transport him in that..

Answer 2

Well it depends on how long the move will take. I use to travel with my goldfish all the time distances of about 3000 kms mostly on train. And if a few weeks I'll be moving another 3000 kms with all my fish... here's what you do.

Don't move the fish in anything glass, the weight of the water moving could crack it. Use ONLY food grade plastic, other plastics usually will leech toxins into the water. If you're going to be less then 24 hours, you could use a bag, get one from a pet store is easiest. If it will be bumpy, put a drop of Methylene Blue in there, its a medication and a sedative. make sure there is a good amount of air in the bag.

Longer then 24 hours, use a container so he has room. Now in plastic containers stick with Rubbermaid or Sterilite. Anything from a cereal container to a 76 gallon tote. If cold is a concern, put him in a Styrofoam box. These can be hard to come by, try asking a local pharmacy if they have any they are throwing out.

Be sure to take tap water from your current home with you as the difference in water could shock your fish when he gets there, put him 1/2 old water, 1/2 new water and gradually get him use to the new water as you do your 25% weekly water changes.

Good Luck!

Answer 3

I have done this many times with my goldfish. I fill a large ziplock bag with water from their tank/bowl and put the fish in leaving room for plenty of air. I seal the bag and place it inside the fish bowl. I placed the bowl in my car and put the seat belt around it to keep it secure. My goldfish have survived many long trips like this just fine. If the trips are long I would open the bag ocassionally to let new air in and then seal the bag again.
I would suggest that you get a tank for your goldfish and not use a bowl. Goldfish are not meant for bowls, this is a common misconception. Goldfish need more room and more water to live healthy. They do not live more than a few years in a bowl. Otherwise they can live over 20 years and grow up to 23 inches.

Answer 4

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/printthread.php?t=3768
I looked up a site once as I was moving cross country, however I cant find it right now but I was told if moving for a great distance to NOT feed fish 48 hours before the move. Save as much TANK water as possible, and transport fish in dark clean trash bags inside a cooler. Tie off bag to allow PLENTY of air and place inside cooler. Fish can go for as many as 5 days without food. Good Luck. On the plus side, goldfish are tough.
P.S. when transporting a fish (any fish) place the transparent bag into a dark bag, this causes less stress to your fish.I had to add this after reading some other comments. Fish exposed to direct sunlight get very stressed.

Answer 5

first,take your goldfish and put him in a plastic bag(like the kind of ones you get when you win one at a fair).a jar with a top with the size of how big your fish is so he has enough room to be comfortable would work fine too.make sure you add water to wherever hes going in LOL.put him in a box with an open top and make sure he stays upright.maybe use some towels to put around him to keep him from falling over.if another person is coming with you,have them hold the box hes in.if not,put him in the floorboard of the car and make sure that he doesnt roll around too much.

if you are traveling for a long time,buy one of those critter carriers from your local pet store(the plastic square mini-tanks with a colored top)and put him in it.again,use the box method to ensure that he wont roll around or tip over.

good luck in traveling with your goldie=)i hope this helps.

Answer 6

I moved my (then 3 now 7 year old) goldfish from NM to CA in their bowl (two-day drive). I put the bowl in a box lined with towels so it wouldn't tip, covered the top of the bowl with a plastic bag held on with a rubber band, and put the whole setup on the floor of the car. At night in the hotel, I hooked up their aerator, and fed them as normal. They didn't seem worse for wear. If it's extremely hot or cold, don't leave them in the car for long periods (say, if you go into a restaurant to eat).

Answer 7

i drove over 1500 miles with my entire 55 gallon saltwater tank and livestock, so moving with a goldfish would be a piece of cake. just get a plastic tub with a tight fitting lid, deep enough to hold the water without splashing out, and poke holes in the top for air. keep it warm and upright as you travel and he should be fine.

Answer 8

When I moved my goldfish to my new house we put him a tumpware container with a hole in the lid. You could probably hold him in that.

Answer 9

Pack him in a large plastic bag (with plenty of air), seal it and then put him into a small lunch box style hard cooler. It will protect him. He won't mind the movement. It will feel like water.

Answer 10

If are driving you could put him in a jar with a lid. Try to use the biggest jar you can find and keep some of the orriginal water in the jar to reduce his stress.
Another idea is to go to your local fish store and ask them. They must get their fish shipped to them in some way. Maybe they can give you some good ideas or containters.

Answer 11

you could put him in a large tupper wear thing, or a plastic bag like when you get them(make sure it has air in it too)then you could just pack teh bowl somewear close and set up when you get to your destination!