How long can fish stay in bags?

[kevindub]

I plan on driving 400 miles out east. I might as well stop by a LFS in the area that I enjoyed last visit. Can I safely bring back the fish in the bag for the 6 to 7 hour drive? Should I ask for anything special at the LFS, like more water or air?

 

[Anonymous]

I plan on driving 400 miles out east. I might as well stop by a LFS in the area that I enjoyed last visit. Can I safely bring back the fish in the bag for the 6 to 7 hour drive? Should I ask for anything special at the LFS, like more water or air?

Should be fine. They travel in bags for 24 hours to get here.

Just request a bigger bag if possible.

 

[Mikef1]

We brought fish back from hawaii to florida with no problem at all.

 

[Anonymous]

A lot of air, a small amount of water - obviously avoid temperature extremes, and be smart with your fish choice.

 

[bleedingthought]

Ask for a styrofoam cooler and tell them you're going across states.

 

[Anonymous]

Be aware that ammonia and carbon dioxide will build up. Because carbon dioxide is acidic (it forms carbonic acid when it combines with water), it lowers the pH, and shifts the ammonia/ammonium ion equilibrium away from ammonia. So carbon dioxide buildup actually helps keep the fish from dying of ammonia poisoning.

However, if you get it home and immediately dump a bunch of aquarium water into the bag, the pH will return to about 8.3, and the fish will get a blast of ammonia.

So it is better to transfer the fish to new water before acclimating it (i.e., acclimation does more harm than good if there is ammonia buildup in the bag).

Take a styrofoam container with you to put the bag(s) in. That will help minimize temperature fluctuations.

 

[Snowboarda42]

yeah squeeze your fish so that they poop before you go. Thatway there wont be any detrius in the bag for that long.

Just kiddin

I'd make sure that they know your going a long distance. Or get a big rubbermaid container, fill it about 1/2 full, get a power inverter w/2 plugs, and put a heater and small powerhead/airstone in it. But thats if you are overly worried and feel like spending extra money.