Transporting Fish Long Distance - Should I Do This?

So I am in georgia visiting my dad and tommorow we are heading back to my house to get my sister then come back up. While I was gone I got new fish that I have not seen yet. I want to transport fish from here back to florida which is about a 6 hour drive. I want to transport 3 neon tetras in a 5 gallon bucket with a battery powered aerator meant for 8 gallons. I assume it's better than being in a bag and shipped somewhere. I am getting the fish tonight because we have to leave early in the morning and the fish store does not open. So this might be between 10 to 18 hours in a bucket because we have to sleep, 20 hours at most. Will they be ok for that long? Will this be successful? It has to be because fish get shipped all the time in a bag and a bucket with an aerator, right? It would only make sense. Let me know what yall think.

 

So I am in georgia visiting my dad and tommorow we are heading back to my house to get my sister then come back up. While I was gone I got new fish that I have not seen yet. I want to transport fish from here back to florida which is about a 6 hour drive. I want to transport 3 neon tetras in a 5 gallon bucket with a battery powered aerator meant for 8 gallons. I assume it's better than being in a bag and shipped somewhere. I am getting the fish tonight because we have to leave early in the morning and the fish store does not open. So this might be between 10 to 18 hours in a bucket because we have to sleep, 20 hours at most. Will they be ok for that long? Will this be successful? It has to be because fish get shipped all the time in a bag and a bucket with an aerator, right? It would only make sense. Let me know what yall think.

it should be ok, just try to keep the water as warm as possible

 

No, you don’t want warm water, neons prefer cooler water anyway.
You can do that, but try to change the water before you rest for the night, then change it again in the morning.

 

No, you don’t want warm water, neons prefer cooler water anyway.
You can do that, but try to change the water before you rest for the night, then change it again in the morning.

I don't have water conditoner with me.

 

I don't have water conditoner with me.

You can get water conditioner at Walmart or even a lot of supermarkets in the pet supply aisle. Failing that maybe you can get a gallon jug of spring water from a supermarket and do a partial water change with that (but let it come to room temperature first as supermarkets are usually kept pretty cool), but there's a change that bottled water could still have some chlorine in it.

 

You can get water conditioner at Walmart or even a lot of supermarkets in the pet supply aisle. Failing that maybe you can get a gallon jug of spring water from a supermarket and do a partial water change with that (but let it come to room temperature first as supermarkets are usually kept pretty cool), but there's a change that bottled water could still have some chlorine in it.

Yeah I am just gonna buy some water conditioner at the store there cuz they have some. Thanks all.

 

Ok guys so I bought the 5 gallon bucket, aerator, and water conditioner but the guy at the fish store bagged the small fidh I got in a huge bag for like minI koi. These fish are neon tetras and they put extra oxygen. Will they survive 18 hours in it? This bag is pretty big. Especially for 3 neons. I can for sure provide a picture of needed. I know fish are shipped in smaller bags than the one I have for like 2 days so this has to work.

P.S already returned the bucket, aerator, and conditioner.

 

If he added oxygen, then I think it’ll be alright.

 

If he added oxygen, then I think it’ll be alright.

Me to. I mean the bag is made for small koi it is gonna be more then fine for little neons. Tifton Pet Center is the place to go if anyone is in the ga area. It is has a different variety of good fish. They even have discus.

 

They should be fine with the extra water and pure O2.

 

Yep they were fine they made it. I could not take any pictures though because I had to get back to georgia for another week. I highly recommend all fish store workers to do this if the customer is traveling. If they are getting small fish and traveling a long distance put the fish in a minI koi or goldfish bag and fill it up with oxygen. Works like a charm. Going back to the fish store tomorrow to tell them what a good job they have done and are doing. Might even buy more fish from their before my trip is over and I head back home to my tanks for good. If you happen to live in or near Tifton ga I highly recommend heading down to Tifton Pet Center. Quality fish and service.