Taking Cardinal Tetra for a fly

[NikkiY]

I am thinking to fly some cardinal tetra home with me next week. The trip will takes as much as 6 hours from the time I purchase it to the time I arrive at my house. Do you think the tetras will survive? My LFS wants $7 for each and I think I should able to get them a lot cheaper in Toronto. Do you think my plan will work or the tetras simply won't survive? Any advice is welcome

Nikki

 

[northpaul]

i would not risk it

 

[tatsu]

Do you mean to place it in luggage or in your carry on?

The baggage compartment of a plane gets very very cold, so that most likely will not work.

How do you plan on packaging them? It's very likely for the bag to break if placed in a carry-on, much to the dismay of you and the fish.

I agree with Paul. Don't do it. The risks involved far outweigh the dollar or two to buy them from home.

 

[NikkiY]

Well, it will be carry on. I am going to put the bag of fish into an insulated box during the travel.

Nikki

 

[jaywings19]

Personally, I wouldn't chance it. Cardinal Tetras (or any small tetras for that matter) get very stressed out during travel. I have a bunch of Cardinals in my Discus tank. I got them from my LFS that's about 25 minutes away (driving). I lost several of them by the time I got home. I can't even imagine what a flight would do to these fish.

 

[thapsus]

How weak fishes you have there in other side of globe. Sounds absurd. Here in Finland, stores can guarantee that fishes stay alive and healthy in plastic bag for several days. Many finns have brought fishes by plane from around the world too.... I'd say 6 hours is so short time that your fishes will be ok in insulated box.

Don't know if it's worth it thought.

 

[The-Wolf]

it is possible to do this.
you need ammo lock in the bag water, the bag needs to be well insulated and protected(ie inside a polystyrene box)

also you need to contact your airline to see if they allow the transportation of liv fish as carry on luggage. Additionally if you are crossing international borders, yo may need an import license to bring the fish into your country.

IMHO it is not worth it .

 

[NikkiY]

Thanks for the advices. There seems to be more downs than ups traveling with my fish on plane I guess I have to do the right thing

Nikki

 

[fishys]

Personally, I wouldn't chance it. Cardinal Tetras (or any small tetras for that matter) get very stressed out during travel. I have a bunch of Cardinals in my Discus tank. I got them from my LFS that's about 25 minutes away (driving). I lost several of them by the time I got home. I can't even imagine what a flight would do to these fish.

there wouldent be a fight just a meal

 

[freddyk]

Well, a friend and I ordered cardinals from montreal, to be flown to toronto. Out of 3 dozen fish, 2 were lost.

This absolutely CAN be done, as long as you pack them right. Fish are shipped all over the world all the time. Cheers.

 

[NikkiY]

Well, a friend and I ordered cardinals from montreal, to be flown to toronto. Out of 3 dozen fish, 2 were lost.

This absolutely CAN be done, as long as you pack them right. Fish are shipped all over the world all the time. Cheers.

freddyk, that's encouraging. Would you tell me how the cardinals were packaged?

Thanks.

Nikki

 

[freddyk]

Can you pick them up on your way out? this would be best. Have the LFS bag them, with oxygen if they offer it. Make sure they're double bagged, with the first bag upside down in the second, this way there will be no corners for the fish to get crushed in.

You'll need to carry them in something insulated. A small cooler would work best, or a box with styrofoam, or a styrofoam cooler. Anything that will keep the temperature more stable. The water will cool down over this period no matter what, but the fish can handle it, as long as the change isn't quick.

That's about it really. In bags filled with oxygen fish can last 24-48 hours. If the LFS doesn't have any O2, there is a product available called bag buddies, which is a pill placed in the water to help the fish along, so you can see if they have anything like this.

The ones I got from montreal were bagged and placed in cardboard boxes insulated with styrofoam. The fish were seperated into two large bags.

 

[NikkiY]

Can you pick them up on your way out? this would be best. Have the LFS bag them, with oxygen if they offer it. Make sure they're double bagged, with the first bag upside down in the second, this way there will be no corners for the fish to get crushed in.

You'll need to carry them in something insulated. A small cooler would work best, or a box with styrofoam, or a styrofoam cooler. Anything that will keep the temperature more stable. The water will cool down over this period no matter what, but the fish can handle it, as long as the change isn't quick.

That's about it really. In bags filled with oxygen fish can last 24-48 hours. If the LFS doesn't have any O2, there is a product available called bag buddies, which is a pill placed in the water to help the fish along, so you can see if they have anything like this.

The ones I got from montreal were bagged and placed in cardboard boxes insulated with styrofoam. The fish were seperated into two large bags.

Thanks for the info freddyk. I will get the fish before I check in. It is just a 15 mins drive from the fish store to the Toronto airport.

Nikki.