How far is too far to drive?

Generally speaking, how far is too far to drive when making a trip to the local fish store? I live on one side of town, a reputable store is on the other side and from door to door that could be as long as 45minutes. Is that too long for fish to kept in a bag? My other option is the local PetCo and PetSmart just down the street...that would be fine for freshwater, however, if I go salt I'm not so sure. This is one thing that is weighing into my decision....so your feedback is appreciated.

 

Hey, How are ya!?
The drive should not be a problem at all as I have driven further than that with large Tangs in a bag with no problems!
If it is cold out, just make sure to be aware of the temp of the ambiant surrounding so as not to cool down the specimen water too fast.
Keep the fish in a brown bag to reduce stress to the animal. Pet shops often have oxygen that they can add right to the shipping water that will help to extend the length of time a fish or other animal can sustain life in the small fish bag! You could also ask for a larger bag to support more water and dissolved oxygen!
I say go for it and don't worry!

 

Go with the reputable store..the fish will be fine. When the fish arrives home drip it to acclimate it (which is what you should do in SW)

 

Thanks. What do you mean drip it?

 

You want to slowly add tank water into the bag so that your fish gradually adjusts to your water's parameters. With freshwater fish it is OK to just float the bag so the temperature matches before releasing. With saltwater you need to match temp, salinity, pH, etc...

By adding in tank water slowly over the course of one or two hours you can do this. Some people will use a tube with a little control valve like you see on an IV tube to adjust a slow drip rate. I usually just use a cup and add a little tank water to the bag every 5 minutes. Your bag will eventually get too full to add anymore water. When this happens take the bag out of the tank and dump some water into a sink or bucket. Continue dripping for the rest of the duration.

Then, remove the fish with a net or your hand (if it isn't venomous or doesn't have barbs) and place it in the tank. DO NOT dump the water into your tank.

This does use a fair amount of tank water so you'll want to have some new SW mixed so you can replace what was removed.

 

Also ask your LFS if you can have one of their spare styrofoam shipping containers with lid. The temperature of the fish will be more regulated this way. (Actually, thats how the fish took the long trip to your LFS).

 

My husband and I drive 3 hours to Sacramento Ca. (from Reno,Nevada) with fish and have never lost one. I agree with the drip acclimation meathod. We use a small igloo insulated cooler. I just put a towel in with it to steady it in the cooler, and off we go. Best of luck.

 

If they bags are pumped with simple air then they will last several hr's they set in bags for a day or two in shipping and it would amaze many how little water they are shipped to the wholesaler from the collectors in the bags with mostly oxygen . The wholesalers will ship in a tad more water to put at ease any one who may be standing in the shops when the boxes arrive .
Take a pass on the Petco and pet smart places. Go to the better shop a hr aaway if kept warm a hr or 2 is not a concern at all..

 

Fish are overnight shipped on a regular basis anyways so the 45 min drive is no prob. My closest LFS is 45 min away also and I have never had a single problem. Cooler is a must. To put it in perspective if a fish is caught in Hawaii then shipped to a wholesaler in California then shipped to my LFS in Indianapolis, my extra 45min. aint hurting it at all!

 

For water I go to a store that is around the corner from my house but the good LFS in the area (Reef Chief) is about 35 to 40 minutes from my house. Nothing I have gotten has had an issue with the trip.