Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Transporting Fish

I live in a neighborhood that has 2 private ponds totalin about 3 acres or so. I am going to pick up some 8-10 inch catfish from my Soil Water Conservation District spring fish sale. If I were to get 40 8-10 inch catfish how big of a container would I need to transport them? I live about 30 minutes from the pick up site. Thanks!

Size is not as much of an issue as having aeration as long as they fit and have some room to not get beat up on the sides or with each other. Do you have access to a large long cooler or some other sort of cantainer? Thats a pretty short trip so I would think even if they are a little crowded for a short period with aeration they would be fine as long as you get the acclimated and released ASAP.

If you have too use Multiple smaller transport containers.

I have a around a 15-20 quart plastic container that I was going to fill with pond water. Do you think that would work?

so thats basically thats a 5 gallon bucket? That might be a little small.

Do you have a large plastic storage bin or a large cooler or somthing ?

I think I may need to pick up a larger storage bin. Thanks.

and a bubbler from walmart or some place......

I wouldn't push it past .5 pounds of fish per gallon of water without special treatment. That's even with an aerator.

There are usually used coolers on Craigs list. I have a 120 qt that I use and a cheap bubbler. Ask Bill Cody to post pics of the ones he makes, much better than the cheapies from the box stores.

A couple of trash cans would do it as long as you have a diffuser in the bottom of each one.

Big trash cans not the medium sized ones. Two 40 to 55 gal barrels sitting upright would work good. The warmer the water above 60F the more water you need for transport.

No upside down or sideways works better Bill.

Hey jlabanco, Welcome to the Pond Boss buddy...Glad to see you getting your "feet" wet .

toss on a handfull or so of non iodized salt...

Experts can give a ratio, but I always just toss some in and then a little extra just in case...

But a lot of my transporting I am actually adding fresh water to already salty water....

Did you know catfish are more sensitive to salt than other species, at least according to one of my fish health books? I'd think I'd want to know how much salt is in the water.

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Did you know catfish are more sensitive to salt than other species, at least according to one of my fish health books? I'd think I'd want to know how much salt is in the water. [/quote]

I actually did not know that ( thanks ) . I have however caught channel cats in a brackish section of the st johns river, It was more on the fresh side of brackish rather than the salty side of brackish though. The St Johns River gets fresher the more inland you go.

I find the Rubbermaid 100G stock tank an invaluable tool for all pond owners. At $70 they are a steal, and virtually indestructible.

Perfect....you can even cut a lid that will sit down inside on the first lip to help splashing....playwood of what ever you have available

Turns out the containers I have are 29 gallons each. I will probably use a few of those filled with pond water. Thanks for all the replies!

Well the 40 catfish all made it fine in the containers that I had. Thanks for the advice.