Moving with fish
One of the hardest pets to move with is
fish. Your best bet is to give your fish
away or sell them before moving and buy new
ones at your destination. However, if you
are insistent on bringing your fish with
you, there are ways around the hazards moving
imposes on them.
If you have a very large aquarium, remove
the fish and place them in smaller containers
prior to the move. Drain the larger container
and prepare it for shipping if you plan to
take it with you. If you have a smaller aquarium,
you can probably take the whole thing with
you as is, leaving the fish in their usual
environment for the duration of the move.
After removing any heaters and aerators
installed in the aquarium, place plastic
wrap over the top and secure it firmly. Then
place the entire aquarium in a Styrofoam
container or a plastic cooler box to help
maintain the temperature in the aquarium.
This is only a temporary measure, but should
help keep the temperature consistent for
up to two days. Remove the plastic wrap from
the aquarium every three to four hours to
allow fresh air to circulate through the
fish’s environment.
Don’t leave the aquarium in a car
overnight. Temperature changes can be deadly
for your fish. If you are planning a long
move over several days, purchase a special
portable aerator to help keep the aquarium’s
water full of fresh oxygen.
When you arrive at your new home, set up
your aquarium immediately. Consult with a
local pet store about any additional precautionary
treatments that may be required due to the
stress of the move. Special water additives
may be recommended to help your fish recover
from any excess jostling or bruising that
may have occurred.