Moving atf

[fishy_123]

Hello!

any tips on moving a 16” vittatus? I’m afraid it might not survive the trip. It would be about an hour. Just catching this fish might cause it to trash around and turn belly up. Anybody here have experience with this? Can I use clove oil or bad idea? Any help appreciated.

 

[celebrist]

Nice looking fish, good luck

 

[Cadillac15]

Not sure on the catching him part, but when I moved across country with my 12" Oscars, I used a 30g heavy duty tote from Home Depot with battery operated air pumps through sponge filters I had cycled and leave in the tanks. The only thing I'll caution against is filling the totes too full as, hitting the gas and break cause it to slosh. I ended up filling mine about halfway up. I believe they make larger totes than the 30g as well (I think there might be a 50-55g tote they make).

 

[GolemGolem]

I think the biggest problem is keeping the fish relaxed enough to not panic to death? I hear they are as flighty as they are fighty but I have no direct experience. I'd be worried about keeping a fish on clove oil for that long too, but maybe a vet has something more predictable?

 

[aroijuana]

Don't use a battery operated air pump. You'll need a converter that plugs into the cigarette lighter in your car/truck, That way you can use your regular air pump and have a decent amount of dissolved o2. Get the biggest tote or kids pool that you can fit in the vehicle as well.

 

[fishy_123]

Thanks for the replies guys!? very helpful.

Yeah biggest concern is the panicking part, they’re so flighty and at this size strong enough that they can really do damage to themselves and maybe even cause death. I’ll consult a vet, maybe something I could safely give?? I have also been warned by a local supplier that indeed these slightly larger sized atf are super difficult to ship? has someone here already try?

 

[Lugal]

I used to keep 3 GATFs, 2 VATFs, sold them all at around 14" many years ago. Got a baby GATF that accept pellets so I kept it. It's 8" now and growing.

Anyway, what I used to transport all ATFs I sold are around 33"/ 24"/20" (or 3X size of the fish) black plastic container box, lid closed but not tightly, water from old tank, battery-powered O2. Also asked the buyer to ready their O2 too. All of them survived and grew in their new tanks. Hope that helps.

 

[fishy_123]

I used to keep 3 GATFs, 2 VATFs, sold them all at around 14" many years ago. Got a baby GATF that accept pellets so I kept it. It's 8" now and growing.

Anyway, what I used to transport all ATFs I sold are around 33"/ 24"/20" (or 3X size of the fish) black plastic container box, lid closed but not tightly, water from old tank, battery-powered O2. Also asked the buyer to ready their O2 too. All of them survived and grew in their new tanks. Hope that helps.

Awesome bro, thanks for the share! So during the trip did they trash around a lot? Did you sell them all at the same time? I imagine if that is the case, when one flips out then all of them flip out. Any injuries sustained or did any turn belly up then just recovered later? Sorry for many questions? I want to be as ready as possible.

 

[fishdance]

To net out flighty fish, you can either; remove tank lids at dusk and wait several hours until it's night/dark and sleeping. Then using a dim torch, creep up to tank and swiftly scoop out with a large net - preferably black. I use an arlo security camera on the tank to know when the fish is sleeping. If done right, the fish will be in the transport box before it wakes up.

OR

Drop the water level low enough that it can't get enough momentum to jump. You should know your own fish well enough to decide which method is best. You can add some polypipe or garden hose or silicon hose cut lengthwise to clip onto any glass braces if your worried about fish getting cut up.

Use a black transport box, lined with black garbage bag (double bagged is best) to prevent water sloshing out into the vehicle. Use a box that's not too big or wide so it can't jump or turn around. Fish won't jump if it can feel the sides. If your especially worried or you will be showing the fish, you can line the box with polystyrene or cardboard sheets to reduce impact bruises. Align box so the fish sits sideways in the vehicle. It won't bash its nose - face against the box end each time you brake this way.

All the usual shipping stuff applies. Fast the fish several days prior, ammonia binder in water, inverter with oversize air pump or pure oxygen and tied off bag with gooseneck. If long trip, bring spare equipment of everything including declorinator.

 

[Lugal]

F fishy_123
I sold them one by one in like 3 months. 1 ATF per 1 container. Yes, the package is quite expensive so I just sold the ATF with it lol. It is made of a hard plastic so they're in complete darkness during shipping. They're very calm and don't trash around at all.
The hardest part for me is netting them out of the tank. I prepared the box fill with water from its old tank. 2/3 deep. Battery-powered O2 ready. I lowered the water to like 50% to make sure the ATF won't jump. Then I started chasing it very slowly so it won't get scared. Now if you do this right, it'll just let you net it easily without much resistance at all. Then quickly remove it from the tank and put it in the box. Kindly close the lid with very small space for O2 tube. And remember to drive carefully.
I don't know about them after I sold them but all the buyers contacted me the day later I delivered the fishes to them that they're fine.

And from my experience, VATF can turn belly up it it's stressed enough. At least the first one I sold did right after I put it into the container but then it recovered just fine.

Hope that helps.