Best way to relocate fish

[Addictedtobettas]

I’ve been trying to adjust my number of tanks as some folks here know from previous posts. Figured I’d keep my 5 Betta tanks and 1 mixed community tank.

However recent health issues are reminding me that even 6 stable tanks might be too much if I’m not able to take care of them for various reasons.

So I’m considering what to do if it gets to thpoint. 2 or 3 tanks is a lot less to ask someone else to help with than 8 tanks with at least 4 of them having fry.

Is it easier to move a tank as one package unit? As in all the fish and plants (sorted and bagged or bucketed properly) go wherever the tank goes together? Should I look at slowly moving groups of fish out? I’d like to make sure it’s done in the best interests of the fish, if it’s needed.

I’ve read many threads on moving fish, not really wondering about the how of that, but in the is there any difference in who and what goes where post ‘move’ for de stressing the fish.

 

[SM1199]

When I had to disassemble my community tank, I did not try to keep everything together. It just wasn't realistic. Every buyer wanted just one or two species to add to their existing tanks. I moved the fish out slowly, species by species for a few weeks, until all that was left was the tank and equipment, and I sold that all together as a kit. This method was definitely easier for me - I don't know about the fish.

Theoretically, it might be slightly less stressful for the fish to end up in a similar environment to the one they were in before, but the move itself is probably the hardest part for them. The time that is taken letting fish sit in a bag while the old tank is set up again is probably more stressful than taking that time to acclimate them out of their bags sooner into an already established tank.

If you feel it is best, when you advertise, you could make a note that there will be a discount if all the fish/plants/equipment are bought as one unit. The truth of the matter is everyone has different tastes and you are unlikely to find someone who wants the exact setup and fish stocking and plant stocking that you have.

 

[FishGirl115]

I'm sorry about your health!
Are you selling your bettas? I have a tank I'm looking to fill with a Betta

 

[Addictedtobettas]

I'm sorry about your health!
Are you selling your bettas? I have a tank I'm looking to fill with a Betta

I'm not sure. My bettas are the reason I kept going with tanks at all, so I'll do whatever I can to keep them around. Even if that means going down to solo bettas in 5-10g for the bigger tank setups and rehoming endlers, gertrudes, etc.

It's my 45g that has me worried.

 

[FishGirl115]

I'm not sure. My bettas are the reason I kept going with tanks at all, so I'll do whatever I can to keep them around. Even if that means going down to solo bettas in 5-10g for the bigger tank setups and rehoming endlers, gertrudes, etc.

It's my 45g that has me worried.

I understand I'd be happy to give one a home if you decide to rehome, as long as I have the space open yet.

 

[FishGirl115]

How soon do you need to rehome fish? This fall/winter I will be stocking a 29 gallon and could possibly give some of your babies good homes.

 

[FlyingFishes]

Yeah, selling all fish as a packaged unit would probably be easier on the fish. If you were to sell one by one I suppose you could figure out what the buyers tank looked like and then slowly change your tank over to keep them from having too much of a shock. Just a thought.