If I bought 6 oto's at lunch, would they be OK in the bag until 6:00?

[20 20]

I would think so, just wanted to check. Opinions appreciated!

[gmccreedy]

Probably, as long as there is enough water to air ratio in the bag. Fish auctions have fish in the bags for alot longer than 6 hours.

[DR.V]

Make sure the shop where you get them from filled the bag with pure oxygen.
If they do this, the fish can survive overnight in the bag if they have to. Just be careful of temperature (ie: dont leave them in the car where its gonna get too hot).

[20 20]

That's what I was thinking, thanks!

[waterfaller1]

Bring a small cooler, best way to keep temp. even.

[rmc]

I wouldn't ask for pure oxygen. Many of the catfish species will suffer if not die from pure O2. Good clean water, plenty of air, and maybe a drop of Amquel should suffice as long as you don't expose the fish to extreme temps. Keeping them in a dark place such as a cooler will help keep them calm until you get them home.

If they don't add anything to neutralize the ammonia in the bag then I would recommend floating the "unopened" bag for 15 minutes to equalize temps and then get them out of that water within seconds of opening the bag so they don't get ammonia burn.

Otto's can be a bit fragile so make sure the ones they bag are healthy looking and active.

Otto's are great fish........ good luck,

Mark aka RMC

[20 20]

Thanks for all the tips. I'll let you know how it goes.

[lauraleellbp]

Originally Posted by waterfaller1

Bring a small cooler, best way to keep temp. even.

x2 El-cheapo styrofoam ones from WallyWorld or the grocery store work great if you don't have an Igloo or whatever

Put a brown paper bag or tape a piece of construction paper around the outside of the bag, too- this will both help insulate and also reduce visual stress on the fish.

[20 20]

Originally Posted by lauraleellbp

x2 El-cheapo styrofoam ones from WallyWorld or the grocery store work great if you don't have an Igloo or whatever

Put a brown paper bag or tape a piece of construction paper around the outside of the bag, too- this will both help insulate and also reduce visual stress on the fish.

Didn't have a cooler, but there was a K-Mart in the same shopping center, so I bought an igloo knock-off to use. Tonight I think I'm going to decide that I really didn't want it, so I'll return it and get my money back.

And the plastic bag (double bagged) is in a brown paper bag.

[cah925]

x2 on the oxygen. I buy fish in Tampa (Gainesville doesn't have a great selection) and I always ask for oxygen and put them in a brown paper bag for the ride home. It's about three hours before I can get the bag floating in my tank at home and the fish are fine.

[20 20]

They always squirt some gaseous substance into the bags, I would guess either plain air or straight oxygen. Didn't ask what it was.

[waterfaller1]

Originally Posted by 20 20

Didn't have a cooler, but there was a K-Mart in the same shopping center, so I bought an igloo knock-off to use. Tonight I think I'm going to decide that I really didn't want it, so I'll return it and get my money back.

And the plastic bag (double bagged) is in a brown paper bag.

Why return it? What about the next time? I use a drink cooler, it is ALWAYS in my car in case I decide to get a coral or animal at the store.

[Dave in the basement]

Keep the cooler! That way you are always ready to party, or to buy new fish!

Good luck with the Otos. Acclimate them s l o w l y.

Dave

[20 20]

Originally Posted by waterfaller1

Why return it? What about the next time? I use a drink cooler, it is ALWAYS in my car in case I decide to get a coral or animal at the store.

Because I have enough coolers at home. I just didn't come to work prepared to get fish, and home is 30 minutes in the opposite direction of the fish store. So, I improvised.

[20 20]

After a 90 minute drip-acclimation period, and and an hour in the tank, the oto's seem fine, happily munching away on the driftwood or the glass.