Transporting Koi

NorCalFish

NorCalFish

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Sep 4, 2008
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Hey Guys, I hope that this is in the right place, if not can the mods please move it.

Anyways, My cousin has koi that she is trying to bring with her down to LA (from SF) and I was wondering will the fish make that trip in just a rather large Rubbermaid container?

Thanks!
 
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I believe they will if they arn't going on really bad highways that have bad traffic which may delay by a alot. Also dirt roads. If not and have some Bag Buddies it will be good. If you don't know what bag buddies here's what they do quote from ken's fish

BAG BUDDIES:
The first water conditioner with fish calmer that comes in easy-to-use, mess free tablets. Protects fish by reducing stress, promoting slime coat, removing chlorine, neutralizing harmful metals and adding beneficial electrolytes. Plus, with the added fish calmer, fish stress is further reduced. Just one tablet in fish bag water also releases oxygen into the fish bag and ensures fish arrive home safely, in quality condition and better overall health. This is a must when shipping fish!



Here's link scroll down past UNI Heat Packs and they will be right there:

http://www.kensfish.com/shippingsupplie.html
 
Bag buddies or anything for stress is a great idea as well as an airstone that is powered by batteries. It would be wise to provide an airstone so that you can provide aeration and oxygen for the fish during their 2 hour trip. Good luck! :)
 
Thanks for the quick reply, I was planning on helping her and I was going to use Stress Coat to condition the water. I'm hoping that helps.

@Stargazer53, LOL I didn't see your comment when i posted this reply. actually its more like a 6-7hr drive. From San Francisco to LA Area.
 
yes they will be fine in a rubbermade tub
 
I won't feed a few days prior to leaving. That will minimize waste in the rubbermaid. And the rubbermaid idea is perfect with a small pump and airstone.
 
don't listen to ODintheDJ. like muske said, you'll want to fast them a few days prior to the move. means less waste while in travel and that means cleaner water. I would also suggest a very large cooler. It will help with water temp fluctuations. Also check out any sporting goods store or walmart sporting goods in the fishing dept for a battery operated air stone. They're relatively inexpensive and GREAT to have for emergency purposes (I have a few of them that I've had to use when the power went out and also use on a fairly regular basis when moving fish from my boyfriends house to mine. If she has multiples that are large in size, I would only do 1-2 per container depending on the size. Them beasties can be pretty spastic when stressed.
 
You guys are way off! How do you think koi are shipped around the world? With an airstone and battery?! Not!

Go to your local fish store and ask for a few of their largest plastic bags. I always pick up extras when I buy fish and store them for later use - they never go bad.

The two most important steps are water temperature and oxygen. Koi should have their water temperature reduced to 50F before shipping. This slows down their metabolism. Place about 15 liters of water in a bag and about 2-3 10" fish. Get a bicycle or basketball pump and pump air into the bag while crimping the open end. Twist and turn. Seal with heavy duty rubberbands and before the neck becomes too tight, stick the pump into the end and pump more air in. Bag should be 30-40% water and the rest pumped air.

Once sealed well with rubber bands, place bag in your rubbermaid container. No problem with splashing or drips. Bagged fish can last 18 hours.

See my visits to commercial breeders here:
http://www.interall.co.il/maagan-michael.html
http://www.interall.co.il/hazorea-aquatics.html
 
Hank is spot on, and for the love of pete, don't feed them prior to the move, this is the worst advice possible. Lowering the temperature of the water not only will slow the fish's metablosim, but it also alows the water to carry more disolved O2. Just make sure you do this gradually to acclimate the fish. If you like, prior to putting the fish in the bag, add a teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide. This will quickly seperate into water and oxygen and will raise the oxygen level of the water. Then, after you add the fish, as Hankn suggest, inflate the bag with air and place into a cooler or rubbermade container.
 
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