Transporting Bala Shark

[Lyrek]

Tomorrow I am moving my 75 gallon aquarium to my new apartment.

My plan thus far:
1. Fill 7 x 5-gallon bins with aquarium water
2. Remove all gravel, place in seperate bins
3. Net fish place in a seperate bin(s)
4. Relocate.
5. Setup, top-up, add fish

Questions:

1. How do you catch a 5 to 6 inch Bala Shark for transport? Hands? Large net? Container?
   
2. In what do you transport a 5 to 6 inch Bala Shark? (type and size of container)

I don't want the Bala to hurt itself or other fish. If the Bala freaks out he/she would likely hurt other fish. He/she has done so before.

 

[Atfownz]

No need for the old aquarium water. Just make sure you add an airline to your media so the bac don't die out before adding to your new place.
Don't be scared just net that bala shark dude. I use a net and my hands to take out my maculatus all the time. I always use buckets because they is no way in hell Ima put my fishes in a bag (sharp teeth and bags never go well together). GL-

 

[krichardson]

Balas can be very panicky and could injure themselves trying to keep away from perceived danger so a nice sized net would be best for catching them.

 

[jaws7777]

I just moved a couple of weeks ago. Get a large net as krich suggested. Two nets will be easier. Your smaller net will corral the fish into the big one.


Any fish that were 10 inches or better went into buckets. Smaller than 10 inches wrnt into large bags given to me from and lfs. Dont tank old tank water its a waste. Dose with a dechlorinator when you set them up

 

[xraycer]

I like the idea of saving half the aquarium water. Not so much for the BB factor, but so the fish isn't going 100% into water that could be drastically different.

This time of the year, my preference would be a cooler for the fish to keep the fish water warm longer.

I would also use nets but catch them with the tank nearly empty would make it a ton easier to catch the fish. Plus, balas are jumpers, so a low level tank will prevent it from launching itself onto the floor.

 

[knobhill]

When you transport, make sure you have a battery powered air pump with airstone in the container!!!!!! A 5 gallon bucket with a lid is best. You don't need to fill it up completely.

These guys get really nervous and breathe very fast during transport, I lost a few big ones when I transported them and didn't provide aeration.

Best of luck!

 

[Lyrek]

Thank you all for your advice. It was very helpful. My aquarium has been successfully moved. No losses.

 

[jaws7777]

Good to hear !