The Puffer Forum

I'm about to relocate and was wondering if you guys had any advice on the best way to move my puffers. I was thinking about getting a converter so I can run the filter in my car along the way but is it worth spending $50 for only a 1 and a half hour drive? Also upon setup at the new house will I have to do Bio-Spira or will the tank be fine without it?

I can't say for sure about the worth of having filtered water during the trip, but I think it could be a good idea.

If you have access to bio-spira, make use of it. Being without flow for a couple hours could lead to significant die off.

When I moved a 5hr drive, I bought one of those battery operated air pumps. It worked great and its nice to have on hand if the power goes out. Costs less than $20 too, check out the online vendors like the drs of big al's.

I would use the B-S too, even if as a safe gaurd.

On occasion, during my fish road trips, I have had fish in the bag for nearly 2 hours - never have had a casualty.

Perhaps you could ask at your LFS, about bagging up your fish and then having them shoot some air into the bags for you...that plus a styrofaom cooler - you could be ready to roll.

I am too moving my fish soon, an hour and a half also. I've done the move before with the fish in a bag, no problems. I was wondering if it would be better to put them in a tupperware container with holes in the lid, as apposed to a bag?

I'm always affraid of bags bursting or splitting.

I'm going to be doing a move within the city soon, and i was planning on using a big 5g pail instead of a bag. More durable, and more water volume.

The only thing I dont like about containers is that if its too small and the fish cant maneuvre properly the movement of the car can slam the fish into the side walls causing them damage.

Containers are better for long journeys though especially if they've got a sealed lid with a small hole for an airline, that way no spillage in the car.

Also if you can get a large bag that will line the container, when you reach your destination you can lift it out and float the fish, you just have to be careful when lifting the bag out of the container as the shape of the bag expands the sudden movement of the bag can shock the fish.

Put the bags in a cooler with a disposable heat pack. You should also call a responsible on line fish retailer and ask how they ship there livestock.

Yeah a cooler is a great way to insulate the heat. I was at my LFS when they were unpacking a shipment of fish and they were bagged with something added to the water, I can't remember what it was, but it leaves a blue tinge. I think it helps reduce waste levels.

styrofoam coolers insulate well but are almost always bright white - which can cause a startle response from your fish. If you use a white styrofoam container, I recommend lining it with black plastic to calm the fish. I actually have some data somewhere that I never got around to publishing on differential survival of larval fish transported in white styrofoam vs black lined foam fish transport boxes - for larval fish, the differences were highly significant. While I haven't tested juvenile or adult fish, my preference is for dark transport containers.

Hilly wrote:The only thing I don't like about containers is that if its too small and the fish cant maneuvre properly the movement of the car can slam the fish into the side walls causing them damage.

Being that water moves with the fish, the movement of the car will not cause the fish to go through the water and slam against the side of the container, your bigger concern is the fish freaking out and slamming itself into to wall.

I was thinking more if a sharp movement was made in the car for whatever reason, the sloshing of the water back and forth in a confined space can make it difficult for the fish to stabilise itself causing it to hit the sides but like you said Nuke this water movement could freak the puffer out causing it to hurt itself on the sides.

Granted I was transporting large Koi and their maneuverability was limited in the container along with their weight they got a few hits on the sides of the container but no major damage.

breathable bags.....

Breatheable bags are very thin... I would never use them with puffers personally.

I did forget to add when I move my fish in containers I always had a few handfuls of some bushy stem plant like hygro in there for "cushioning" and comfort.