How Long Can Fish Survive in a Bag?
- Thread starter SalviniCichlidFan
- Start date
"Most"? Based on shops up here, I'd change that to "very few".
Fish being shipped are normally not fed for a couple days, allowing them to "purge" their gastrointestinal tracts and reducing waste products excreted in the bag. Not really comparable to fish from a LFS that may have been fed minutes before being netted/bagged.
But, yeah, for a couple hours it doesn't matter. Seven hours is pushing it a bit.
When I go long distances for fish, I usually bring my own styrofoam cooler with a large bag nd large water container that fits inside, and ask for enough water to fill it.
Sometimes a store may provide one if a long trek is in the offing
In winter (when in the midwest) I would even bring along heat packs, if the drive was long enough, or a hotel stay was required.
And If over night I'd bring an extra pump, and some bio filter material.
And although a car ride usually provides enough agitation, for some I bring a portable air pump with a car jack.
Most small fish can last 24 hours or more in a well packed bag, but if I can lower travel stress in any way I will .
Sometimes a store may provide one if a long trek is in the offing
In winter (when in the midwest) I would even bring along heat packs, if the drive was long enough, or a hotel stay was required.
And If over night I'd bring an extra pump, and some bio filter material.
And although a car ride usually provides enough agitation, for some I bring a portable air pump with a car jack.
Most small fish can last 24 hours or more in a well packed bag, but if I can lower travel stress in any way I will .
One other thing I do (because I mostly deal with cichlids), is have a separator bucket.
Especially ....If I'm buying a mated pair......just because they are OK together in a tank, doesn't mean they will be, in the confines of a box, bag, or bucket
Especially ....If I'm buying a mated pair......just because they are OK together in a tank, doesn't mean they will be, in the confines of a box, bag, or bucket
Ooo, I like that divider bucket. I'm going to make one of those when I'm ready to collect my sunfish from the creek.
Here's the news...
I got REALLY lucky. So first, Absolutely Fish has one of those oxygen pump/injector things that pumps oxygen into the bag which was very helpful. Second, I got my hands on a cooler (very long story). And third, both of my fish survived which was great!
I got REALLY lucky. So first, Absolutely Fish has one of those oxygen pump/injector things that pumps oxygen into the bag which was very helpful. Second, I got my hands on a cooler (very long story). And third, both of my fish survived which was great!
Absolutely Fish is a great little spot. Been going there with my father since I was really little. Glad to hear the trip was a success!Here's the news...
I got REALLY lucky. So first, Absolutely Fish has one of those oxygen pump/injector things that pumps oxygen into the bag which was very helpful. Second, I got my hands on a cooler (very long story). And third, both of my fish survived which was great!
I wouldn't call it a "little spot" since it has a wide variety of fish, but that place is great as you say. It has basically every type of cichlid you're looking for.
Realistically it depends on the fish, but as long as there is clean water and enough oxygen they can last days. I just shipped some baby vieja that got delayed and spent 5 days in a box, and I've had some HRPs in a bag from Rusty Wessel since Wednesday. They can last a lot longer and most end up doing so when being imported or sent to stores.
