Keeping fish cool for travel?

[SteveCGG]

If we go to the HAS auction, and get some fish that have been bagged for many hours, but kept in an air conditioned room during the auction, what is the best way to keep them from overheating if we want to hang out in the Kemah area afterwards. Is there any chance of them surviving just in a cooler? Do I need chill packs or something? I have always just taken them straight home....

[eklikewhoa]

Re: Keeping fish cool for travel?

I would bring an air tight cooler with ice packs.....better thing to do is keep the ice packs in a smaller cooler till time for them to sit and then add the ice packs or even a small bag of ice. If you are leaving them in there later in the day it's not as hot and most fish can stand a bit of heat.....just nothing drastic.

I usually buy fish/corals before going to work and then leave them in a foam shipping box overnight while I'm at work and have not had any problems, even with some of the more delicate specimens.

What time of day do you plan on leaving the HAS auction?

[SteveCGG]

Re: Keeping fish cool for travel?

Obviously depends on what there is to bid on, but hopefully gone by 3 or 4. I'll pay extra to move things up so I don't have to stay really late like last time...

[geoff_tropheus]

Re: Keeping fish cool for travel?

Cooler with some ice packs would be fine as long as you put a piece of styrofoam between the fish bags and the ice pack.

Air conditioned space is obviously better.

I have had fish die on me while I kept them in the car for about 4 hours.

just be careful reagardless....

[eklikewhoa]

Re: Keeping fish cool for travel?

3-4 is some intense heat.....I would probably not but ice packs would put the odds back into your favor slightly.

[armthehomeless]

Re: Keeping fish cool for travel?

If you are going to Kemah afterwards, you'll pass close by the auction site on your way back. If you aren't going back north too late, why not wait to pay for everything until after you get back from Kemah? That way the fish would stay in an air conditioned place.

[JStrider]

Re: Keeping fish cool for travel?

airstones are a must if they get warm...

as the water warms up it loses oxygen so you need to have  the bubbler in there to help keep the water oxygenated.

hey steve, I'm gonna send you a PM about the auction.

[eklikewhoa]

Re: Keeping fish cool for travel?

If you are going to Kemah afterwards, you'll pass close by the auction site on your way back. If you aren't going back north too late, why not wait to pay for everything until after you get back from Kemah? That way the fish would stay in an air conditioned place.

Not a bad idea....

[76dragon]

Re: Keeping fish cool for travel?

IF you leave them in your trunk, make sure you have ice packs. or take them out on your stop. Then put them in the car on your drive back so it can get some AC. I will get pretty hot in the trunk arouund 3-4. I lost a bunch of Tropheus on the way back from Mike, but it was my fault . It was just too hot in the summer heat.

[Brownsnoutuk]

Re: Keeping fish cool for travel?

Steveacgg, I live in Willis now and will be coming to the auction tomorrow. If you want I can take anything you win home with me and you can pick them up later. I think Willis is only about 15 miles north of The Woodlands. Just an option.

[SteveCGG]

Re: Keeping fish cool for travel?

Thanks for the suggestions...Brownsnout I may take you up on that. Thanks for the offer!