Stuck in airport overnight with fish

[Ross]

I'm coming back from MACNA, been stuck in the New Orleans airport for about 7 hours due to Dallas weather. I was able to check some frags and a white tail bristletooth tang. I'm worried about him being in the bag for so long (will be almost 24 hours total). I'm suppose to make it to Dallas tonight by midnight and fly home tomorrow morning. I'm mainly worried about the fish. He's in a decent sized bag but it wasn't filled with pure Oxygen, just air. What do y'all think I should do ?

 

[tdileo]

I don't believe when they are caught from the ocean and sent to fish stores they are packed with oxygen 100% of the time. I would assume he is okay, but you can always just open up the bag and gently shake it to let some oxygen and CO2 exchange

 

[Ross]

I've read that opening the bag will make the ammonia in the water toxic to the fish. Right now I'm keeping him dark and from moving around too much. Temperature is good.

 

[Katrina71]

First aid station with O2? Nasal cannula tube might work.

 

[Ross]

Would Walgreens or cvs have that

 

[saltyhog]

Tough call but I think the best chance is to not open the bag. I've had fish delayed in transient and in the bag for 36 hours or more that survived just fine.

 

[Katrina71]

Oxygen tank no. Ambulance or firetruck probably. There is probably at least a firetruck at the airport.

 

[Ross]

My options are very limited. I could maybe try to find a walmart and hope they have amquel or some ammonia reducer

 

[spiraling]

find a pet store with seachem prime?

 

[ebushrow]

He will be fine, fish are typically packed for a 24-48 hour trip.....if you got it at MACNA they know this and it is packed with O2 so you are good

 

[Katrina71]

Not sure about this, but you can buy pre bottled saltwater for hermit crabs at Walmart here. Blue bottle with blue label. Looks like a water bottle. Not sure about salinity.

 

[Ross]

He's only packed in air, not oxygen. Fish store won't be an option, i won't be there until midnight

 

[tdileo]

I've read that opening the bag will make the ammonia in the water toxic to the fish. Right now I'm keeping him dark and from moving around too much. Temperature is good.

Sorry, did not realize that could happen at all. Was just going off a guess. Agree dark and not moving too much with a stable temp is your best bet for now

 

[Katrina71]

Airport security will be your best bet to ask about an oxygen tank. Nice guys. Don't freak.

 

[Ross]

There is a walmart across from my hotel in Dallas. I doubt they have ore made saltwater , but we will see. What's the thoughts on opening the bag and dosing some amquel or prime? I'm thinking it would add some oxygen

 

[saltyhog]

Airport security will be your best bet to ask about an oxygen tank. Nice guys. Don't freak.

True. I bet they will be very reluctant to use their bottled O2 on a fish though. You can always ask, problem is without something to neutralize the ammonia you still have a problem after opening the bag (unless it's only been in there a very short time).

 

[Katrina71]

Better left answered by someone with more experience than me.

 

[Fishfinder]

I would not open the bag

 

[Katrina71]

There ya go.

 

[indyjaco]

I wouldn't open the bag unless thy are going to replace the water. If you open it, you'll get an ammonia spike. Keep the temp above 72 and you should be okay.

Do a SG only accumulation when you get home.