Taking Bettas 36 hrs in train

Question
QUESTION: Dear Jaymie,
I'm from India- in the southern-most state of Kerala.
I have two male bettas, being reared in separate 7.5 litre bowls. I do 100% water change every 4 days, and feed them hikari betta bio-gold pellets and daphnia. So far both of them are quite healthy and active. They make bubble-nests, come to me when I go near, and jump when I feed them.

Well, in a couple of weeks, I've to take my dear ones to Delhi, requiring a 36 hours train travel. I'd surely get them larger tanks when I reach there. However, my concern for now is how to transport them?
I thought that I'd use stress coat for their waters, pack them in transparent half liter plastic containers, and keep them towelled, such that they don't see each other. I prefer openable containers (instead of plastic covers), so that I could give them fresh air and food once in a while.
All these are what I assume to be good. I need your expert advice on what I should do to give them a stress-free and safe travel.
Kindly give me your advice at the earliest.
Thanks a lot in advance,
Mathews Joseph

ANSWER: The easiest way to move them is in plastic bags, like the kink you get at the pet store. Do not feed your fish two days before you leave. This will help reduce the waste in their water. Also, make sure you take with you clean conditioned water in a separate container so that you can do small water changes. Keep them in a sturdy box or plastic container. The reason why I say a bag is because this will cut down on the motion of the ride. If they are in plastic containers, they will be swished around too much. Every few hours, remove some of their water and replace it with the conditioned water you have with you. DO NOT feed them while you are traveling. This will not harm them and it will help keep their water clean. Place towels around them to help reduce stress and keep them warm. The less you handle them, the better they will be .

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------


My Betta   QUESTION: Thanks a lot Jaymie for your advice and welcoming more questions from my part. This mail of mine is a bit long, and I've numbered my questions. Hope you'd be happy to take some trouble and help me.
1) My halfmoon betta's tail seems to be pathetically falling apart. Let me try to give you a picture. His tail is first of all quite long and bunchy.There's a white design around the circle of his tail (like the outermost part of a rainbow. I've attached an image of it, please find it). Assuming his whole tail to be 180 degress, a 120 degrees of the said white design has ragged off and disappeared. It makes an attempt to grow back in a couple of days, however rags off again. The lower part of his tail (the rest 60 degrees) is getting elongated like anything, and has kind of split-ends. I first assumed it to be fin-rot, but now I dont feel so, coz the rest of his fins look vibrant and healthy. And I read in a couple of websites that the tail-fins of some bettas (esp halfmoons) fall apart over time. Moreover, he does well in terms of eating, bubble-nesting and jumping.  What could be the case with him, and what should I do to cure him?
2) And Jaymie, would it be right for me to assume that a betta {who comes to me when I go near, builds bubble-nests, and jumps when I feed him} is healthy and happy?
3) In my earlier letter, I'd told you of taking my bettas to Delhi, where the winters are really cold. As such, after going through some reviews, I've ordered two RC Hagen Elite 25 watt heaters. Are they good enough?
3) Alongside, I'll get stresscoat+ too for them. Is it a good conditioner?    
Looking forward to your reply at the earliest.
Thanks in advance dear Jaymie,
Mathews Joseph

Answer
I always welcome more questions. This helps educate on the right way to raise a Betta. I will answer your questions in the order asked.

1. When looking at the photo, I would say your fish does in fact have fin rot. A Betta's tail and fins, no matter what type he is, should always be full and rounded. Fin rot s 100% preventable by ensuring their water is always clean. It can also be happening if their water is not warm enough. To help with fin rot, make sure their water is at least 80 degrees at all times and add some dissolved aquarium salt to the water. The ratio is 1 teaspoon per 1 gallon. Make sure you add the salt only to the clean water going into the tank. Salt does not evaporate so you want to keep the salt level low. After the fin rot has healed, you can start removing the salt by doing water changes.

2.Yes, having a Betta that builds bubble nests is the sigh of a happy fish. I would be careful on the jumping part because once they start doing that, they run the risk of jumping out of the tank. Make sure there is a lid. I had a male that we called JO JO the Circus Boy, because he jumped from one tank to another. I ended up having to keep his water level lower than the rest.

3. Any heater that has a dial at the top which allows you to select the temperature is good. Smaller heaters do not keep the water warm enough, and the ones you cannot control also do not keep the water warm enough.

4. As for the conditioner, there are a lot out there and as long as it removes the chlorine from the water, it will be good.