Moving betta across country

[Loboto-Me]

Sometime during the summer I'll be moving across country. It will be a 4 day drive. What will be the best way to bring my betta for a trip?

I was thinking maybe putting him in a jar with a lid for the trip, but I'm wondering if they can run out of air that way?

I need a game plan here.... any ideas?

 

[Lenna]

So long as it has holes in the lid he should be fine. Bettas have a labrinth organ that allows them to breathe air directly. Just make sure you have the jar on something flat. If the water is splashing around he might get a bit stressed..

 

[Inchworm]

Hi Loboto-Me

I think one of the things that might pose a problem on a long car trip is trying to keep the temperature of the water from fluctuating.

I am going to move this thread to the Tropical Chit Chat forum, since you may get useful input from other fishkeepers that would apply to your situation.

 

[guppymonkey]

The temperature changes could be amazingly drastic in the summer. I would try to make sure the air conditioning worked to keep the temperature stable. The idea of a lid is obviously necessary but some holes or slits could probably be put in the lid so that there is some air exchange. Also I would probably bring some extra dechlorinated water from home so that you could do a water change. I wouldn't use water from areas that I hadn't tested before and the fish would be already used to the water you had at home.

 

[crazie.eddie]

Put it in a ziplock back and place the back in a cooler. Make sure you cushion the back so it doesn't move all over the place. If you put it in a jar, the betta my injure itself my a sharp turn or regular driving.

 

[Koujiro]

If you use bags , I will advise to use 2 bags one inside the other to eliminate or round the corners .. sometimes the fish is trapped in the corners (if you use the one bag)
Jiro

 

[Bettaman]

Get your neighbor to keep them for three days then send them next day delivery to your new address and you arrive the same day...............

 

[Fish Buddy]

I took my betta on a 6 hr trip close to Ottawa while I was staying there for a few weeks. What I did was put him in a round plastic container (so he doesn't hurt himself on sharp corners) with a lid (no holes). Bettas can live fine with out ever comming to the serface if they have to (study shows). But what I did was 'burp' him every 2 hrs (that is opening the lid a little to allow fresh air in).

Also I transported a 1 foot goldfish in a cooler 1/3 full (lid on). He survived the trip and is doing fine now, but when I first got him home he had brused fins (red colouration in the tail-possibly blood). It seems it is easier to transport smaller fish than it is large ones

 

[StanTheBetta]

heh good thing its not an oscar