How do we move two large Oscars and a large Pleco?

Question

We are moving from VA to MS. It is a two day trip. We are unsure exactly what day the movers will show up so it could be any where between 1 and 2 weeks before our fish see their usual tank. We are having a hard time figuring out how to move them without killing them. We have thought about selling them before we leave but we are very attached to them so it would be our last option. Please help us! We really want to keep our fish!

Answer 1

get a big cooler for soda and fill it with the tank water then put the fish in it. do a water change at night of 50% and add water conditioner. thats what I did for my fish.

Answer 2

Wow! What a problem to have! As far as the pleco goes, net him with a large net and very gently put him in a medium sized Rubbermaid plastic bin that comes with a lid, filled 1/2 of the way with water. (be careful, they have spines!) Cover the bin with plastic wrap, then put the lid on. This will help protect against most leakage and also, the pleco won't mind the dark at all. In fact it will help reduce his stress level if light is blocked out.

That's what I did with my large pleco (14 inches long) when we moved, but he rode in our car on my lap and the ride was no more than 30 min... Your trip is quite a bit longer. Are you keeping the fish with you in the car and hotel rooms? If so, You could do the same with the Oscars, you'd just need to be careful with the temp in the car and do water changes nightly.

Make sure you fill the boxes in the first place with the old tank water and be sure to also put some of the old gravel in with them. Also be sure to drive "gently". No sharp turns or sudden stops.

I hope I helped. Good Luck!