Question: Moving Axolotls

[RavaLock]

I am the proud owner of several various aquatic tanks. However I have never had to move any of my water species other than to do the occasional tank re-do and I was wondering how I might prepare axolotls for a 6 hour drive and move?

I may be moving out of state in the next year or two and I have no idea the proper way to safely move 3 axolotls and a 75 gallon tank. The tank is not set up yet. I wanted to ask before I got the new axies to make sure I wasn't sentencing them to death. I'd rather stick with what I have currently if it means the possibility of harming such awesome animals. I'll just store the 75g empty till I'm ready

 

[LeFarge]

so long as you keep them cool and steady they should be ok, i've had several delivered via overnight courier

 

[Urmat]

Im moving to a different state this summer and what Ive found that other people do is to put them in their own little tub making sure they dont slosh around too much and if you're worried about it being too hot you can put them in an insulated cooler with a cool towel to keep them from getting too hot.

 

[RavaLock]

Ok, so the consensus so far is that it should be entirely feasible for me to move three axolotl's a few hours away as long as I put them in a stable cooler of some kind?

Would I need to worry about adult axie's fighting while contained and need to separate them?

This is sounding much simpler than hiring an aquarium to special deliver my coldwater buddies!

 

[arnichol]

I have to take my axies home with me to and from college. They hate it, and it takes them a few days to settle, but there has never been a serious problem. I use a bucket to transport because its less likely to slosh while walking.

 

[Kaysie]

I moved a dozen species (including two sub-adult greater sirens!) 12 hours away to Alabama (and then back).

They travel just fine. I put mine in deep tupperware. Make sure it has a good lid to it though, not the cheapie ones. 5gal buckets work fine too, but are more expensive. Carry lots of treated salamander water with you because like kids, they have to go to the bathroom as soon as you get on the road.

 

[RavaLock]

Oh 5 gallon buckets you say? That's easy. I keep 4; three with fresh cycled water and one for water changes. I'm hoping to set up a direct pump system in my basement but for now the bucket system works fine (as long as hubby remembers to refill them after he changes water! lol)

I will just have to be sure to keep them cool...which is why I was thinking maybe a large tail-gate cooler with cool water in it might be better? It has a lid and it's dark and will stay cool. It also drains easily if I get the one with the little spout on the side...