How to Transport Fish by Air

If you have tropical or saltwater fish, there are occasions when you will need to transport them over long distances. There are a couple of reasons for this problem. You may have been transferred because of work to another area of the country or you may be a fish enthusiast who has sold a number of your fish to another breeder who lives too far away to make ground travel feasible. By using proper packaging techniques, you can ensure your little finned friends make a safe and comfortable journey to their new home.

Things You'll Need

  • Dip tank
  • Clear plastic aquarium bags
  • Aquarium air hose
  • Aquarium pump
  • Foam cooler
  • Packing peanuts
  • Shipping tape
  • Shipping box
  • Marker or sticker
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Instructions

    • 1

      Dip a small amount of water out of the fish tank with a dip tank. Hook the dip tank's ledge holder to the fish tank. Capture the fish and drop it in the dip tank.

    • 2

      Open a clear plastic aquarium bag and pour the fish and water from the dip tank into the bag. Place the air hose from the aquarium pump into the bag and fill the bag with air. Hold the bag about 4 inches from the top when you have the hose in. Quickly pull the hose out and twist the top of the bag. Tie a knot at the top of the bag. Hold the bag upside down to make sure the bag does not leak. Continue this process until you have all the fish you are sending in bags.

    • 3

      Fill the bottom of a foam cooler with 3 inches of packing peanuts. Place the bags in the cooler. If there are gaps between the bags, fill them with packing peanuts. You want the bags to move as little as possible. When all the bags are in, fill the top of the cooler with more packing peanuts and place the lid on the cooler.

    • 4

      Tape the top of the cooler with shipping tape. Tape the seams all the way around first, then tape across the top. Use at least three rows of tape across each side.

    • 5

      Place the cooler in a shipping box. Add packing peanuts if you cannot make it perfectly snug. Seal the top of the shipping box.

    • 6

      Affix a label or write on the package "Live Fish" and "This Side Up." Affix labels to all four sides.