Many people are familiar with the benefits of having a pet, especially a dog or cat. But you may not know that there are also benefits of having an aquatic pet, specifically fish. According to Deborah Cracknell, a marine biologist, “Fish tanks are often associated with attempts at calming patients in doctors’ offices and dental waiting rooms.” Besides helping to alleviate anxiety, here are some more benefits of our aquatic friends:
- Helps people with insomnia
- Helps decrease high blood pressure
- Helps people suffering from dementia
- Helps kids with behavioral problems
- Helps children learn about biology & chemistry
- Helps teach children responsibility & inspire learning
Now that we know how beneficial it is for pet owners of all ages to have aquatic pets, let’s learn how to safely move them to a new destination. If you have more specific questions regarding the health of your fish during a move, we recommend you contact a veterinarian with aquatic pet knowledge.
Tip #1: Before the move, do not feed your fish for approximately 24-48 hours. Don’t worry! Healthy fish can survive a week or more without food.
Tip #2: Have the proper materials to store your fish in for the move. For short moves, bag the fish individually and keep in a dark place. For long-distance moves, add pure oxygen to the bag. Maintain a normal temperature for your fish by storing in a sealed cooler. Do not leave fish in extreme heat or cold.
Tip #3: Be sure and pack your aquarium last and unpack first to help get your fish back into its normal habitat quicker. Take measures to safely pack your aquarium to avoid damage.
Tip #4: To preserve as much of the good bacteria needed to maintain the tank environment and cut down the cycle time for your tank, store as much of the water and rocks from the tank as you can. If your move lasts longer than six hours, you will need to do a complete refresh of the water and system.
Tip #5: When you reach your destination, set up your aquarium as soon as possible. Allow fish to acclimate to the new temperature and environment by keeping them in the bag, in the tank, for approximately 60 minutes. Once you release them from the bag, they may act a little unusual as they get use to their new habitat. Go ahead and feed them as well.
Continue enjoying the many benefits of your aquatic pets by reducing the risk of harm during a move with these tips. And remember, if you need to store some items that aren’t making the move with you, consider a climate-controlled facility with Zippy Shell!