Tropical Fish Travel & Carriers Guide

Transport is a welfare issue

Fish use oxygen and produce waste during transport, so conditions can deteriorate if a journey is prolonged or containers are overcrowded. RSPCA advises that fish should never be sent by post because transport conditions cannot reliably meet their needs. For ordinary journeys, minimise the time spent in the transport container and avoid unnecessary handling.

Prepare for the journey

Fish should be transported in an appropriate container supplied or recommended by an aquatic retailer, with sufficient water and air space for the planned journey. Protect the container from extreme temperatures, direct sunlight and excessive movement. Take the fastest practical route home and avoid leaving fish unattended in a hot or cold vehicle. Longer or specialist journeys may require professional aquatic advice and more detailed planning.

Acclimatisation on arrival

A new fish should not be moved straight from transport conditions into materially different aquarium water without following an appropriate acclimatisation procedure. RSPCA guidance recommends floating the transport bag for around half an hour to equalise temperature, then transferring the fish with a net and discarding the transport water. Keep lighting subdued initially and observe the fish closely for signs of stress. If problems develop, check water quality and seek specialist advice.