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Keeping Fish Alive Traveling


Billaney

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Hi

I am thinking of going away with the family for a week ,maybe in March/April if I'm traveling up around the north Island and want to buy fish if we see anything we really like, what can i get or do to keep them happy and alive traveling for a week.

Is there a portable tank or sum such thing you can buy or hire ?

Thanks

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MOst fish are ok if the temp doesn't go below 20 or so, its pretty warm this time of year, i recon your biggest problem will be having enough water and keeping the water cleanish, without a filter. Don't forget most fish are imported and transported packed into little bags, it must take at least 3-4 days for them to be packed, taken to plane, flown, customs, distrubter, retailer. Also I understand that when transported they use pure oxygen in the bags.

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I have travelled with fish. As long as you do regular partial water changes and don't feed them they should cope. I would open the bag each night. Sometimes I have taken one of those plastic Critter Keepers (you know with the coloured grill lids?) so when we stopped I could put the fish in this and get them out of the bag for a while (sort of thinking along the lines of 'more surface area will help the oxygen levels'). I also had a small pump to aerate them overnight. If you know your water supply is good then I would carry a couple of 3 litre plastic bottles of water to use in the water changes since you don't know what the water will be at different places. By the time you get home they will be in the same tank water as your tanks.

Are you passing back through the same way you went up? You could ask the store to hold them for you and pick them up on the way back.

Temp shouldn't be a problem at that time of year. Overheating would be a bigger worry if they are left in a locked vehicle in a car park. Make sure they are in a chilly bin or cooler bag.

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filtration and airation wouldnt be to much of an usue if you did daily water changes, however i have seen battery powered pumps that could run a sponge filter etc, at wet pets, also i would use one of those heater/cooler things that connect into your smoking peice in your car its like a chilly bin but it does hot also, you can get them from super cheap auto, you can set the temp on those for tropical fish, and i would chuck in a heap of plant, gives them a place to hide adds oxygen makes them feel more comfotable.

Shae

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Forget the air pumps, they would only work for one bag.

Forget the heater coolers.

Use a chilly pak if it's too hot, or a coke bottle filled with hot water.

Surround either way of heating/cooling with a newspaper, as direct contact with a bag can move the temp. drastically.

Both cases, keep the lid on.

Enquire at the shop where you buy them if they have oxy, and have them use that for the fish.

Pack in small numbers per bag. Especially cichlids.

One per bag, as they are liable to fight kill one and the other will die from pollution.

Caryl's suggestion of water from home is a good one.

Get spare plastic bags and a supply of rubber bands as well.

Make sure your tanks are ready at home, as it is a super tedious job after a long trip and you'll be tempted to do shortcuts that can be deadly.

Oh.

Take a good book for the missus to read while you're in the fish-shops and make sure your wallet is full of greenies, and/or make sure your credit card isn't max'd out.

Good luck

Happy shopping.

Alan 104

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