Roadtrip for Moose?

[tori.lock]

So I'm in a dorm in Monterey and I for Christmas I need to get down to San Diego. I was wondering if any of you had experience transporting fish long-distances in cars. It would be around 7-8 hours I believe, so not insane but still a good while.

I was thinking about removing everything but substrate and his root decoration from his current tank (It's a 3g). For the plants attached (anubias and java moss) I was going to wrap in a wet paper towel and cover with a baggy. Let me know if you think this will be successful. For the plants in the substrate (amazon sword and crypts.) I was thinking about putting in a smaller tank with Moose to keep them submerged and also provide him cover to keep him from getting too stressed. I'm worried about the crypts melting when I replant them, but if I use the tank water in the small container I'm hoping to reduce/stop this issue. Again, let me know if this should work or not. Moose would go in the small container about 3/4 full to reduce sloshing all over the place.

Think this is the best plan of attack, or do you have any better suggestions?

[Northernguy]

Your fish will need a fair amount of water to have enough oxygen to last that long.Not too small of a container.
As for your plants,not sure.The stores put them in bags and they are good for a couple of days.
Definately keep the substrate and filter media wet with tank water.Watch that root sytem doesn't smash the tank.
Hopefully this bump will get you more replies!

[sheamurai]

When I brought back some guppies from North Bay to Timmins (3.5 hours), then from Timmins home to Barrie (6.5 hours) I did basically what you are doing. The only difference was I had no tank at the time - I was trasnporting them in 1kg margarine container. The only thing I did differently than you have planned, is that I brought a water bottle, of the tank water they had recently come from with me, and did small water changes everytime I stopped. I was concerned they would either run out of air, or end up with too much ammonia to make the day in that container.
They weren't real happy when I got them home finally ( I think they were cold), but they did survive the trip.

[terrapin24h]

buy a battery powered air pump(cheap) and a sponge to filter his transport water. When i transport fish i generally use a cooler and an air pump on a power inverter. So long as the container is large enough that the fish doesn't smack around the inside of it they should be ok. Cooler make great transport vessels, are easy to clean out, and keep the water the right temp.

--chris

[tori.lock]

I don't have a cooler, but I might be able to have my mom who's picking me up bring a small lunch cooler. Would lack of oxygen really be a problem if he's a betta? I know they kneed oxygen in the water, but between being a labyrinth fish and having plants with him I'd think that should be plenty.

The root system should be fine, it's pretty well nested in the substrate, rather light, and the tank is acrylic.

Good idea on bringing a bottle of tank water along so that I can change it out. Any reason that I should/shouldn't put some of the substrate in the container the fish is going in? The only reason I can think that I would would be to possibly reduce some stress, and give the plants an anchor.

[Deleted User]

A friend I show horses with used to take her betta to and from college on approximately 5hr car trips. She never had a problem. She actually just transported him in the cup she bought him in and put him in his normal small tank upon arrival home or return to her dorm room (the tank came with, not two separate tanks). Remember bettas do have a more unique way of respiration and I think that makes them easier to transport in this fashion.

AND, I have to ask......... Does this mean Moose gets to mee the parents? [Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

[tori.lock]

That's good to hear that people have done this successfully before. I just hope it goes as smoothly as I plan. I'm a bit worried about the water getting a little too cold for him, but hopefully it wont be anything too drastic.

And indeed he will get to meet the parents. My mom is already a fan and usually asks how he's doing before she asks how I'm doing.

A friend I show horses with used to take her betta to and from college on approximately 5hr car trips. She never had a problem. She actually just transported him in the cup she bought him in and put him in his normal small tank upon arrival home or return to her dorm room (the tank came with, not two separate tanks). Remember bettas do have a more unique way of respiration and I think that makes them easier to transport in this fashion.

AND, I have to ask......... Does this mean Moose gets to mee the parents? [Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

[bushwhacker]

in a small tank like that i'd just drain out some water to stop the sloshing and move moose tank plants and all.

[tori.lock]

That is a possibility depending on weight of the tank and where he's going to ride in the car. If he has to sit on my lap I'd rather him be in the small container rather than the bigger one.

in a small tank like that i'd just drain out some water to stop the sloshing and move moose tank plants and all.

[morgangallow]

i was goin to say what jill said. in the cups. because most live in cups at
petstores,|(albeit unhappily i know, but for 8 hours) if you have a cup holder by your vehicle's heater, then you could keep him warm via that as well.

[tori.lock]

A cup like that is actually a really good idea so that he could stay in the cup holder. I don't have the cup he came in, but I have to go to the store tomorrow and I can run by the pet store and see if they have an empty one I can take. If not I think the trip would be less stressful if he's in his small carry-tank (it's about 10x5x6) with some plants.

[Deleted User]

I think that will work really good. That's what my friend would do with her betta thumbs2: Plus, think how long they live in cups in the store -- a road trip should be easy on a betta thumbs2: