Moving fish long distance: How to transport and feed them safely?

Hello and thank you for reaching out to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Begin your preparation for the move a week or so before the day itself, by removing ornaments and other obstacles from within the tank. Each day leading up to the move, perform a 15-20% water change, so that by the time you are ready to move, the tank water will be clean but also stable and mature. On the day itself, preserve as much of the original tank water as possible, to re-introduce into the tank at the other end. The best way to transport your fish is within thick bags, like the ones pet shops provide when you buy new fish. Make sure that the top of the bag is well sealed to prevent spillages. Store the bags containing your fish in a sturdy box, padded with polystyrene or other filled bags to keep the bags secure and upright. Cover the box, as darkness helps to reduce stress in your fish, then secure the box safely within your vehicle. Since your journey is more than a couple of hours long then you may need to arrange for a rest stop to re-open the bags and allow oxygen to enter. Once you've arrived, get the tank set up and watered, with all of the filters and air pumps running, and allow at least half an hour for the tank to settle. You will probably need to add more water to the tank, but try to keep this to a minimum and use as much of the original water as possible. Finally, introduce your fish to the tank in the same manner as you would if bringing them home for the first time, by floating the bags with the lights off, allowing the temperature to stabilize, and gradually mixing tank water with the bag water before releasing your fish. I hope this is helpful!

That is a difficult situation to be in, and I don't think that there is a right or wrong answer to your question. I think that you should look at the pros and cons of all of your options, and see what you are most comfortable with doing. It may be worthwhile to discuss things with both your friends and the pet store as well. As far as taking the animals with you - there are many animals that do well with car trips, but traveling must be done very carefully. The birds may become stressed in the car - make sure they are in a small carrier that does not allow them to fly or hurt themselves. Consider covering their carrier while you are driving, and then uncovering them when you stop to allow for them to have light and to be able to see to eat and drink. Make sure that every time you stop for a break that they are offered water - it can be difficult to have water available at all times on a car trip as it will spill. Food should be available at all times due to a budgie's high metabolism and constant need for food. The fish would be harder to take along, as they will need to be transported in water and will also need to have additional, clean, water to be transferred into. They would also require a bubbler for transportation, which would need to be compatible in your vehicle. Good luck with your decision, and I hope this gives you a place to start!

It isn't optimal, but she should be fine for the short flight. Make sure the water isn't too cold and change it (or add conditioned water) when you get to your destination. I've had Bettas shipped to me from Thailand to New York and Pennsylvania in as little as a half cup of water and they've survived the trip.

Thanks for reaching out. the ride home should not be too difficult but when introducing to the tank, equilibrate water temperatures first by placing the bag in the tank for 15-20 minutes. Then pour out 1/2 of bag water in the sink, then add that volume of tank water to the bag. Allow to stand for 10-15 minutes. The scoop out fish and add to tank. Don't pour bag water into tank and if parasites in water, will add more of them to tank. Finish cycling tank prior to getting fish. Good luck.

Without anything to use for scale, it is hard for me to tell how big your tank is, but in general it seems very small. Also, the water that is in the tank appears very cloudy right now, so that would be the first place to start. Water quality is very important, and will make or break your ability to house and care for fish. I would recommend getting a good filter system (you can visit a local pet store to assist you with brands in your area, as I am not familiar with what you can get in India). Be sure to bring the measurements (height, length, width) of your tank, or the gallons or liters so they can tell you what capacity of filter you will need. Everything else will depend on what types of fish you get - if you plan on getting multiple fish, they will need to be small - a general rule of thumb is one square inch of fish per gallon of water. Depending on the species you get, you may need to also get a bubbler to ensure there is enough oxygen in the water for them, and you will also likely need to get some sort of substrate for the bottom and cage furniture (different species have different air requirements, and some are secretive and like to hide). You may also need a water heater, depending on the species you would like to house. But, depending on how small your tank is, it may be hard to get a water heater that will fit. The food type will also depend on what species you get, as there can be differences in diet type between species. I hope that gives you a place to start, and good luck!

They may be stressed from the trip, the water may be too cold (low temps can affect appetite in fish) or the water chemistry may be off. Consider a partial water change. Use only conditioned water that is temperature matched to prevent further stress or shock. The fish food is fine. They will likely eat it once conditions are corrected and they settle down.

As log as she is acclimated to the water temperature, she should be fine. Place her in a bag of water and then float the bag in the tank for 20-30 minutes. You can then scoop her out with a net and place her in the new tank. Confirm proper chemistry of the new tank using a home test kit or by submitting a water sample for testing. The local Petco may do this for free or for a small fee. Aim for 0 ppm ammonia and nitrites with nitrates at 20 ppm or less. pH should be around 7 and water temp should range between 65 F and 72 F since goldfish are cold water fish.