If I buy 2 or 3 cool water fish (Chinese Hillstream Loach). How long can I keep them in the bag that the shop will give me? It's probably going to be about 4 hours, if I get them.
2007-03-24 02:02:38 · 15 answers · asked by 👑 Hypocrite 7 in Pets ➔ Fish
I don't believe most of the answers provided here, merited all the thumbs down. It's not one of those sorts of questions, surely.
2007-03-25 01:56:13 · update #1
ok i say forget the bag stuff lol unless it's required. I myself transport thousands of fish all the time. I use a 4.00 staylite container with lid, holds 4 gal of water. I squeeze an airline through lock down slit with lockdown on, to keep hose from crimpin i insirt a thin skewer stick. I attach the hose to an air pump, and the air pump is attached to a charger, brand of ur choice. I have also shipped larger conatiners up to 50 gal. Fish are happy, not bagged, and not injured. To them its like livin in another tank. I also rarely use nets because of their abasiveness unless needed. Hands are more welcoming to the fish, just be easy they are delicate. This method proves productive for any distance. No need to worry of amonia, or starvation, u can feed as u go and change water as needed.
Hope this helps, know the fish will like it better.
2007-03-24 05:31:37 · answer #1 · answered by Dove 1 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Loach is not a sensitive fish, so thats a plus point for you. Your dealer will usually just package fish in a plastic bag. The bag should be filled 1/3rd full of water and 2/3rds air. The water simply keeps the fish wet and allows the gills to function, the air keeps the fish breathing and the fish can be contained for up to 2-3 hours in this condition, depending on the sensitivity of the species.
For longer journeys of 4+ hrs, the bag should be filled with pure oxygen rather than air and in this state the fish can survive up to 7-8 hours.
For loaches, a strong plastic bag will suffice. If bags are used, either tape the corners to make them round or turn the bag upside down. This prevents the fish from becoming trapped in a corner and injuring itself. Double bagging adds security against leaks and should be used for transporting catfish or fish with spines.
Temperature is another major consideration. Unless extreme temperatures dictate otherwise, short journeys of less than 5 hour temperature should not be a concern. For longer transportation times, the dealer should provide a polystyrene box, alternatively use a cool box.
It is also advisable to keep the fish in darkness during transportation. Wrap the bag in newspaper as flashes of light can shock fish. Finally, to reduce pollution to the transit water, do not feed fish for 24 hours prior to packaging.
2007-03-24 09:16:07 · answer #2 · answered by Mantra 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Let the store know that you have a long way to go. They will put the fish in seperate bags with extra water and a lot of air.
Fish get shipped every day this way. Sometimes they will put a stress tab in the water as well.
Be sure they give them to you in different bags. This will help
They will be fine.
DO NOT open the bags. The air pocket in the bag is to add dissolved oxygen to the water as it splashes around. Without the air pocket there is no way to add dissolved oxygen to the water.
2007-03-24 09:09:24 · answer #3 · answered by danielle Z 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
you can keep them for that long easily, provided the bag is of decent size and there is a good air pocket a the top. If these loaches are cool water fish and it is warm out, I would suggest transporting them in a styrofoam throwaway cooler. No ice or anything, just to keep the water insulated from the outside air.
2007-03-24 09:06:14 · answer #4 · answered by Shredded Cottage Cheese 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
They can survive in a bag for about an hour. Maybe open the bad during that 4 hours to let in fresh oxygen. A little risky. I left my fish in the bag for over an hour and they were dead the next day.
2007-03-24 09:08:26 · answer #5 · answered by Girls M 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Try jars that willl hold them. If you can, for the water, use the water they were in. Make sure you have an air pocket at the top. If it is a sunny day, the jar will act as a greenhouse and you will make Loach Soup!
2007-03-24 12:41:37 · answer #6 · answered by ???????? 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
45 minutes to get them home and then 15 minutes to leave the bag on the water so the water in the bag can reach the same temperature as the water in the tank.
2007-03-24 09:33:42 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Make sure it's a big bag, with lots of water...
There are chemical additives that the pet store can add to the water - ask for it.
2007-03-24 09:30:17 · answer #8 · answered by crazyotto65 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You can't keep them in the bag for that long because there is only so much oxygen in the bag. If you have an oxygen pump you probably could keep them in the bag for about 1 1/2. The max you can keep them in there which is iffy enough would be 30-40 minutes. Make sure you already have aged water so you can put them directly in the tank.
2007-03-24 09:07:45 · answer #9 · answered by Maddy 1 · 1⤊ 5⤋
its fine keep them in the shade open the bag up so they can get some air dont dump them right into the fish bowl when u get home let the bag soak in the tank for 5 or 10 minutes
2007-03-24 09:06:21 · answer #10 · answered by mark s 2 · 1⤊ 3⤋