I might be moving about 1800 miles, but I have 11 small tropical fish. Is there a good way to move my fish?

Question

I've become rather partial to them, so I'd hate to give them up. But I don't want to do anything that will kill them either.

And I'm sorry, you can't freeze fish and bring them back to life.

Answer 1

use a container with a secure lid. Don't try to bag them. It's hard if you don't know what you are doing because you have to fill it with mostly air.

Just get a brand new rubbermaid container. Or use one that you already have that has NEVER, not even once, had soap or cleaner in it. I think I used a 2 or 3 gallon one to transport from my 10 gallon tank. . Fill it up about half way with water from their tank. Only half way. Maybe 3 quarters if you have "tall" fish like angels. They need air in there too. Don't put any gravel on the bottom. Don't put in any decorations.

Use some real plants. Java ferns are good because they have some bulk to them but any real aquarium plants will do. If you have any in your tank just toss them in.

The day before you pack them, pour stress coating ( I like Aquaclear. it's a water conditioner) according to directions into your fish tank. Pack them the next day and off you go.

If you can package some extra water so you end up having half to 3 quarters of your tank to bring with you that will help the adjust to their new home. Especially if you are moving some where with diffrent water.

Fill your tank with the extra water and new water. Condition because it is new chlorinated water. Then let it sit a few hours, and let your fish container sit with the lid off. Then add them back in.

All but 2 of my 40 or so fish survived a 10 hour trip and an extra night in a hotel.

TO THE ANSWER ABOVE ME:
Fish that come into stores are left in their bags without adding water for up to a week. You should not be blowing the air in. They need oxygen. There is a way to grab the bag to trap air in it. But I don't know how to explain it I can only show you. There is only supposed to be enough water to cover the fish. You bag should be mosly air. And if you do not have a strong enough bag you run the risk of popping it and killing your fish. It is not necissary to put them in seperate containers/ bags. One big one is sufficent.

Keep them in the front of the vehicle and bring them inside if you spend the night any where(some of mine ended up staying in their bags for 3 days) or will not be in the vehicle for more than an hour or two, but thats if it is really cold. Heat packs should not be needed. If you can stay warm they probably can too.


Yes you will probably lose 1 or 2 any way. It happens all the time.

Answer 2

You can certainly transport your fish that distance, but you will have to do some research and learn a new skill(packing fish).I've successfully brought fish from Manaus,but there is a learning curve. Perhaps if you tried the customer service "fish help" at Drs.Foster and Smith they could give you the up-to-date information,and suggest a source for the styrofoam shipping containers that you transport the bagged fish in. If you have a local pet store,not one of the big box stores,you might get some good help there. I don't know of a source,but I've heard of a new oxygen permeable fish bag that might simplify the process too. The things I remember are; #1 don't feed the fish for a couple of days before the move,so they won't foul the water,#2 don't use a lot of water(1or2"),depending on the size of the fish, #3 get some oxygen and fill the bags with it,and seal with a knot,#4 double bag, #5 don't put too many fish in one bag,. The low water thing is so there is a lot of air space,(hopefully oxygen space) in the bag. The air is more important than the water.Also there are tranquilizers that seem to help,but if you don't know how to use them it's probably better not to try. I hope this gets you on the right track,it ain't easy but it can be done.-------Good luck,PeeTee

Answer 3

yes you can. up the goldfish water temperature 1/2 a degree (celsius) a day, and they will be fine. i kept a 7 cm goldie in with my guppies for months and didn't lose any. only moved him out because i wanted the space for more tetra's. don't overstock and there won't be any algae/waste problems. fish can only excrete what you feed them. so don't overfeed. the main reason people don't keep them in tropical aquaria is that you can keep them in cold water. that means that there is less outlay for the setup (no heater). To those that say "molleys are brackish water species". this is true BUT brackish species are generally estuarine species. unlike freshwater that has a low salinity, and seawater that has a high salinity, estuary waters vary depending on time of year/rainfall/tides etc. at high tide, it will be more salty, a big downpour will see the estuary at freshwater levels. so most estuarine species are incredibly hardy, and can live a full life in freshwater (they may not breed however). to illustrate the point, i kept a molly that was in witha batch of feeder fish as a pet. he's in the tank with the soft water, low pH freshwater tetra's, and has lived there quite happily for 6 months.

Answer 4

A friend of mine traveled around the country with their tropical fish. They put them in a large cooler and I think they used an adapter for their cigarette lighter to run the filter/air pump. Their fish all survived the traveling, but then had some other problem after they got home safely.

Answer 5

Give them to a friend and then buy 11 new ones just like them. You'll never know the difference.

If you try to move them make sure they stay at a good temperature. Try an ice chest.

Answer 6

chances are you are going to lose at least 1-2 but it might be worth the risk. you need to put them in individual bags with plenty of water but make sure you leave alot of air in the bags also you are going to need heat packs and a cooler or bucketsand you are going to need to open the bags and put new air in them ever 4 hours or so...i dont really know how long it takes for the air to run out but im just being safe. i know ive kept goldfish in bags for 5-6 hours and they lived so im sure 1 fish wont use up all of its oxygen in a very short time then you will have to have an air pump for when you stay over night and you will need to dump them all into the cooler or bucket that has never been cleaned with soap and run the air pump and start all over again.

other then that you could have somone airmail them to you for overnight pick up and make sure its a responible person who follows instructions. they need to be bagged individually with alot of air, heat packs and boxed with styrofoam peanuts and you can pick them up in the morning

Answer 7

It depends on how your getting there. From car or truck, just put them in a traveling Aquarium,. For flights, well I think you can freeze them, though, I'm not sure. Try going to a fish specialty website.

Answer 8

move them in a cooler. it will keep the water temperature more level. it helps if you put a bunch of lose java fern in so it acts like little pillows when they bump and collide.

Answer 9

put them in an icecream bucket and place them in a freezer. fish are able to freeze solid and survive for several weeks. i have moved long distance and have moved fish this way. when defrosting them, DO NOT use a microwave. rather, simply put them back in thier aquarium and let them thaw. when unfrozen they will appear dead, but this is normal. in a few days they will be back to normal.

Answer 10

you should sell all your stuff and get enough money to buy all new things/fish.