Moving with Fish in Baton Rouge

Moving in general can be a stressful experience. Add the process of moving with fish, and things can get a little bit more intense. Fish aren’t like cats or dogs, or even birds, which you can just pack up and go. There is a long and drawn out process when it comes to moving fish tanks. The good thing is that with a little bit of research, some preparation, and a fair amount of effort, your fish can be moved in an efficient and safe manner. Keep in mind that any type of move is stressful for fish, so losing them is not the most farfetched idea. If you are moving with fish in Baton Rouge, here are some tips for you.

The first thing that is necessary when it comes time to move your fish is to take the fish out of the tank and put them into a holding container. What is in the holding container is crucial to the survival of the fish. Most fish need to be in an environment that has a filtration system, so when it comes time to move this can be difficult. You need to be sure that your fish aren’t in water without a filtration system for more than two hours. Fish won’t eat during a move, their little bodies get too stressed, so don’t bother trying. If they are well fed before the move they can last up to a week on an empty stomach. Be sure that the temperature stays constant, as to not shock the fish any more than they will already be shocked. Some stores will actually board, pack, and air ship your fish to wherever they need to go, so if this is an option for you it could potentially minimize the stress to your fish.

Moving the tank is a bit more difficult than moving the fish. There is a delicate balance of bacteria that need to remain in the tank, and in balance, in order for your fish to thrive. In order to maintain that balance, there are two things you can do. First, you can leave some of the water in the bottom of the tank when you move it. Second, you can dump out the water and start completely over. If the latter is what you choose, it will take sometimes up to a week to acclimate your fish to their home. Seeing as fish tanks are made of fragile materials, it makes sense that extra precautions need to be taken in order to avoid a broken tank. This is your fish’s home, and they want to come back to it just the way they left it. If you have plants in your tank, keeping their roots in bags of water can help keep them alive until they are put back into the tank.

Although it is a complicated process, your fish will appreciate you taking the time and effort to make their move as seamless with as little stress as possible. Good luck on your upcoming move to Baton Rouge.