moving big fish

Question
I have 3 red belly piranhas in one tank and a Jack Dempsey in another tank.  We are moving all the way across the US and I have no idea how to move them.  What do I need to buy to transport them in and should they be kept separtate (the piranhas)?  Will they last 12 hrs without a filter?

Answer
Hey Heidi,

I actually just did this! I moved two tanks of livebearers (swords and guppies) that were my main income, so I was super worried over them. Along with them, i had some expensive Chinese loach imports that needed special care too. The rest were typical aquatic frogs, plecos, and other really common fish.

There are two options:

First, you can find someone who has an oxygenator, and use it to oxygenate the water prior to sealing and floating them the whole trip. This can be dangerous because when you re-open the bag, the water becomes instantly toxic and could be fatal.

Second, buy a 10 gallon (40L) coleman cooler for every tank you have. Fill them up about 2/3 of the way full with tank water, and dose about 20 gallons worth of AmQuel to the water, and a double dose of NovAqua. Between the two, you remove toxins, and add a stress reducer! Now that your water is set, close the lid down and set the tanks in your car (in the cab with you, not the back of a hot, bouncy moving van) ontop of a ton of towels because the splashes will leak out a bit. keep the car a comfortable 70's and the cooler will keep the fish at a reasonably safe temperature. I moved this way from Portland, Or. To Ventura County, Ca. (1000 miles) Every few hours (when you stop for gas) use a battery powered aerator to re-aerate the tanks. Live plants from your tanks will help too. I dosed another 10 gallons worth of AmQuel and NovAqua once during my trip, but i was being paranoid. Using the airstone will help keep oxygen in the water, and make up for having the lid down for another few hours. Once you get going, you'll notice the coolers starting to smell like a pond each time you open it. Just leave the top open with the air stone going and your fish will be fine. From the whole move, i lost 2 dwarf frogs, one rainbow shark (he was sick when i left though) and one female guppy who had a drop on the trip. Everyone else took a dose of Jungle Fizzy tabs when i got their tanks going, and they all seem healthy and fine now! My whole trip from putting them into the cooler, til their new tank was 30 hours. ( I drove alone, and didn't set them up first). Just remember to not feed them the day before you leave, and not to feed them during the trip. Fish can survive a few days without food.

Hope that helps, and best of luck!