Transporting Betta to High Elevation

Question
Hello,
I am a collge student who will be going home over break. I have a betta and I am at about 6,000 feet. When going home I will have to go over a mountain pass that tops out at 10,276 feet.  I have had friends growing up that have had fish explode due to elevation.  My dad thinks that if you just have a container that is vented it should be find. My container is a 1/2 gallon one that came as a kit.  It has a secure top with vents. My plan was to keep him in his original container and put it in the front seat of my car (securly). I was going to clean the container 24hrs before I leave.  I just have a few questions. Would this work? How would I make sure the temperature stays consistant and right? And should I use Stress Coat? This is my frist betta, and I plan on going here for four years, so I want to figure out how to make this trip with minimal stress. thanks!  

Answer
Bethanie,

 It really depends on how healthy the fish is. Put him in a box on the floor of the front seat so there is no risk of him falling. I would not put him in a tank. When driving and going up and down and turning, he will be flopping around and that is not good. I would go to your local fish store and ask them for a couple of the bags that they use to send fish home with new owners. Do not put too much water in the bag with him. Place him in one bag, and make sure there is a lot of air in there with him. Then either tie it off or use a rubber band. Then place that bag upside down into the other bag. This is in case the first bag springs a leak, the other bag will keep him safe. Put a blanket around him so that he cannot see out of the bag. Placing him on the floor in the front, and placing a blanket around him will help with keeping his water warm. Since there will not be much water in there with him, this should help.I would take a pump with you and take rest stops often and plug in the pump with an air stone. This will put oxygen back into his water. Also, take preconditioned water with you to add to him if he looks like he needs it. Do not feed him for 2 or 3 days before you leave, this will cut down on the ammonia in his water. Do not feed him while traveling. Betta's can go  up to 2 weeks without eating. I don't know how long the trip is but if longer than 4 hours, stop and take a look at him and see how he is doing. Adding stress coat is ok. I hope that he makes the trip ok.