Just wanted to know how you fellow MFKers transport fishes? Say you want to buy fishes from a seller but the fish is about 2-3 hours away. Knowing the addicts that we are, we would drive to pick up the fish(es)... I was thinking of plastic bags and warming packs? Any suggestion is appreciated.
Transporting Fishes
- Thread starter PeacockKeeper
- Start date
I usually use a cooler. I have a thick styrofoam one with a drain. This keeps them well insulated for a 2-3 hour drive. If I have a few fish in there I run a portable aerator off of 12 vdc. Plastic bbags will work if it is a small size fish
Joe, you mean you just put the fish and its tank water in the cooler? Was there any water left when you got home or did you tape the top down to prevent spilling? That was what I was worrying about that the water might spill and having the fish die...but on the other hand it is styrofoam (I was thinking of a regular cooler) and they are somewhat seal tight lids. I might just do that.
I use a 5 gallon bucket(or larger) with a lid a few holes drilled in the top....really small ones and a aereator from home that i plug into a power conveter!
i have an azoo back up aerator its rechargable so i just get a cooler or something to hold the fish in....and run the aerator and keep the car warm
crowconor;2590495; said:
safest way. If you want to get super paranoid you can add O2 tabs meant for shipping fish. These are a little pricey though and are only really needed for multi-day shipments.
I hate to admit it, but I have left bagged fish in my lap for about 3hrs and it's been fine.
BTW, after a trip like this make sure you drip acclimate the fish to your tank as they will be stressed.
Took some fish up for a 6 hour trip in a ziplock bag with plenty of air for them, in a cooler. They survived fine. Brought some fish back with the same results.
I always just make sure its double bagged and air filled. Then I use a cooler and put it in the passenger floorboard where I can isolate the cars heater to keep the bags as warm as necessary . 3 Hour trips aren't bad IMO. BUT I always use the big bags and bag the fish separately no matter what Whether I buy the fish 15 minutes away or 6 hours away.
islander671 and I went out from MD to KY to pick up some monster fish. It was about 9 hours each way. We brought some rubbermaid tubs, battery powered air pumps, bags of media for each rubbermaid tub, bottles of prime and stress coat, and one of the tubs even had a sponge filter. We brought back a couple of widebar dats, a 13" NTT, some pbass, parrot fish, and various others. It was during the spring so the temp didn't have that much of an affect on keeping the fish comfortable. All of the fish made it home just fine.