How Can I Safely Move My Fish?

I have an ad up to get rid of my platy fry and BN pleco. I'm still waiting for replies, but I want to know how to properly bag them for a ride and how to prepare them. I've read a few articles, but I'm a bit confused. Should I stop feeding them for a few days? Some people say yes, others no. I have a few Petco aquatic bags that I'm about to test for holes. Will these suffice to hold them? Anything else I should do?

 

Are you shipping them? I can't help you if it's shipping, but I'll be following.

 

I'm pretty sure I won't be shipping them, the ad is on a website for local people. Their journey will probably be by car. I just filled some old Petco bags I had to test them for leaks. For the past few hours, I haven't noticed any.

 

I'm pretty sure I won't be shipping them, the ad is on a website for local people. Their journey will probably be by car. I just filled some old Petco bags I had to test them for leaks. For the past few hours, I haven't noticed any.

In my exprience the fish will be fine if its local (even a few hours) by normal bags, just remember to add air to it.

Normaly when I buy fish I go to my old LFS and that's a 2 hour ride. I am yet to have had any trouble with the fish.

 

I probably won't be the one moving them, the person who buys them will most likely come here, choose who they want, and take them away. I'm really nervous about this, I've spent six months looking after these fish with every spare minute, anything I can do to prepare this and make this as not-stressful as possible? Should I add a piece of plastic plant in the bag?

 

I probably won't be the one moving them, the person who buys them will most likely come here, choose who they want, and take them away. I'm really nervous about this, I've spent six months looking after these fish with every spare minute, anything I can do to prepare this and make this as not-stressful as possible? Should I add a piece of plastic plant in the bag?

As I said. I would not worry if its only a few hours or less they have to drive. Just make sure you fill air into the bag as well and you should be good.

I assume you sell the fish to people that actually want them and care for them (thus you should not be worried)

I don't think it will matter if you put a plant etc down with it. I normally put something around the plastic bag (another bag like a paper one) so it becomes dark for the fish, that will help relief abit of stress.

But no matter what you do the fish will be abit stressed from being picked up into the bag and droven to its new home.

 

Thank you. I have asked for tank parameters, size, fish, etc. So people who want them will have to answer these questions. Do you think that will stop people from wanting to buy them?

 

Thank you. I have asked for tank parameters, size, fish, etc. So people who want them will have to answer these questions. Do you think that will stop people from wanting to buy them?

It might be overkill to ask for parameters, but well I think its fine. I don't think it will stop people from buying it that youask for their tank size, other fish etc. you are just making sure they know how to handle the fish you have.

I did the same before I gave mine to friends.. I knew they had tanks they would be safe in and thrive. (else I had never parted with them) So I understand what you are doing.

 

I think the only people that it would stop from wanting to buy them would be the type of people you wouldn't want buying them anyway!

Also if you want to err on the side of caution, not feeding them beforehand would be best, so the water in the bags will be cleaner during the trip, but since it probably won't be that long of a trip, it won't make a huge difference.

 

It might be overkill to ask for parameters, but well I think its fine. I don't think it will stop people from buying it that youask for their tank size, other fish etc. you are just making sure they know how to handle the fish you have.

I did the same before I gave mine to friends.. I knew they had tanks they would be safe in and thrive. (else I had never parted with them) So I understand what you are doing.

Yeah, I guess parameters are a bit much. It's just that I have an uncle who doesn't bother testing his tank, and it looks horrible. I want to make sure whoever takes my fish has a cycled tank, and are willing to test. Mostly for parameters, though, I meant pH. Mine is 8.2, so I just wanted to know how big a difference the water would be. I know I can't do anything to change it, but I like knowing these kinds of things, no matter how useless.
Thank for helping me

 

Yeah, I guess parameters are a bit much. It's just that I have an uncle who doesn't bother testing his tank, and it looks horrible. I want to make sure whoever takes my fish has a cycled tank, and are willing to test. Mostly for parameters, though, I meant pH. Mine is 8.2, so I just wanted to know how big a difference the water would be. I know I can't do anything to change it, but I like knowing these kinds of things, no matter how useless.
Thank for helping me

I have tested my tanks 2 times in 8 years and I've never lost a fish due to bad water quality!.. But I've noticed that there is a big difference on how you are in Europe contra the states (I am from Europe)

The thing is. If you don't slack on the weekly/biweekly water changes and don't overfeed etc. Your tank will be fine. I almost never use conditioner to the tank (because after all its chems).

I can understand that you ask them if they have hard/soft water etc. because it would be a bad decision to have fish in a tank where the parameters are the complete opposite. But again if people buy the fish, one must assume they atleast know a little (atleast you can if you ask them)

 

I have tested my tanks 2 times in 8 years and I've never lost a fish due to bad water quality!.. But I've noticed that there is a big difference on how you are in Europe contra the states (I am from Europe)

The thing is. If you don't slack on the weekly/biweekly water changes and don't overfeed etc. Your tank will be fine. I almost never use conditioner to the tank (because after all its chems).

I can understand that you ask them if they have hard/soft water etc. because it would be a bad decision to have fish in a tank where the parameters are the complete opposite. But again if people buy the fish, one must assume they atleast know a little (atleast you can if you ask them)

I know some people, like you, can do very well without testing. You know what you're doing, so it's not completely necessary. I just want to make sure the people who buy my fish at least know how to test and that they're willing to. I'm fine with people who don't test often, there's nothing wrong with it, it's just there are people who have never bothered testing (like my uncle) and due to that have horrible tanks.
I'm not criticizing you, though, from your profile picture (if that's your tank) your aquarium looks amazing

I think the only people that it would stop from wanting to buy them would be the type of people you wouldn't want buying them anyway!

Also if you want to err on the side of caution, not feeding them beforehand would be best, so the water in the bags will be cleaner during the trip, but since it probably won't be that long of a trip, it won't make a huge difference.

Deterring those people is what I was going for I want knowledgeable people to take these fish, I've worked hard on them.

 

I know some people, like you, can do very well without testing. You know what you're doing, so it's not completely necessary. I just want to make sure the people who buy my fish at least know how to test and that they're willing to. I'm fine with people who don't test often, there's nothing wrong with it, it's just there are people who have never bothered testing (like my uncle) and due to that have horrible tanks.
I'm not criticizing you, though, from your profile picture (if that's your tank) your aquarium looks amazing

As I said. I understand you. I had to watch my friends tank (almost inspect them) before I gave away my fish to them! I am remaking my tank atm (the one from the picture) into a malawI tank.

I had the other tank a year, tested it once (in the start) I lost 1 fish that got sucked into the filtercase. rest is still alive.. but I kinda cheated.. since I had Rummy-noses. They kinda indicate if something is wrong.

But again. the most important thing is water changes.

So again I understand you perfectly fine. I also assume that sometimes (without being unpolite) that tab water in the states can be semI poor.

 

As I said. I understand you. I had to watch my friends tank (almost inspect them) before I gave away my fish to them! I am remaking my tank atm (the one from the picture) into a malawI tank.

I had the other tank a year, tested it once (in the start) I lost 1 fish that got sucked into the filtercase. rest is still alive.. but I kinda cheated.. since I had Rummy-noses. They kinda indicate if something is wrong.

But again. the most important thing is water changes.

So again I understand you perfectly fine. I also assume that sometimes (without being unpolite) that tab water in the states can be semI poor.

No offense taken at all! Tap water here is terrible in some places, but we're working on it! I was going to ask water change schedule, but I figured the parameters would give away whether the tank is healthy or not. I wish I could inspect their tanks before I give my fish to them, but then again I'm so terribly polite and afraid to offend, I'd probably let them have the fish if they resisted at all.

 

It sounds like your quiet upset about giving up your fish?

 

Not really upset, just nervous. As said before, I've worked really hard on them, and I have an issue with bonding to animals. They just kinda love you no matter what, so it's hard (at least for me) not to name and become attached to each of them. I would upgrade, but I've got no room, and by the time I get space and save up enough, my fish would become way too stressed, and it would do more harm than good.
I've never sold animals (or anything, really) before, so I'm just trying not to mess up and end up negatively affecting my fish's outcomes.

 

I feel ya. Just know your doing the best you can for them

 

Thanks.

 

The way I do it is I use 2 freezer bags. I've never had 1 leak yet

 

Old Petco bags would work too though, right?

 

Yea they should. Double bag just to be safe.

 

I only have three bags. And of differing sizes... Work Ziploc work?

 

That's what I use. There freezer bags are best.

 

Thank you.

 

No problem