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FISH PREPARATION & TRANSPORTATION TIPS FOR A SHOW

DO NOT FEED your show fish for 5-7 days prior to the show. This is not only very important to reduce ammonia stress on your fish during transportation and the show itself but also may brighten the whites of your fish.

OBSERVE your fish very closely the last few days before the show for flashing or any other sign of problems. (If any doubt about the health of a fish please leave it at home)

Catch your fish very GENTLY as last thing you do before coming to the show.

Carefully inspect your fish for injury, illness, or deformity BEFORE leaving home.

Transport in cool covered containers (large ice chests are ideal) to maintain constant water temperature and a darkened environment.

Ice packs maybe used inside the container but OUTSIDE the fish bags to keep water cooler and fish more relaxed.

Fish can be transported to the show in several ways:

a) double bagged and bags inflated with oxygen and securely closed with double rubber bands.

b) In a cooler with pond water and use a battery powered air pump, tubing and air stone to keep the water rich in oxygen. (Buy at fishing tackle stores – sold to keep bait fish lively)

	Be sure bags & containers are large enough for fish to stay relaxed & unbent.
	Be sure to use enough pond water to COMPLETELY cover your fish.
	DO NOT put small fish in same bag/container with significantly larger fish.
	Orient containers so that fish ride SIDE WAYS to direction of travel.
	DO NOT place containers directly in the sun or near other sources of heat. ( i.e., over hot spot caused by exhaust side of trunk)
	Reduce time of transportation by driving directly to check in. Keep your plastic bags and rubber bands for the return trip home.
	BRING recent photographs of all your fish for identification purposes. This may not be necessary if the show is "English Style"
	Bring your COMPLETED show entry form to speed up registration
	Shows will provide oxygen for the trip back home.

	DO NOT FEED your show fish for 5-7 days prior to the show. This is not only very important to reduce ammonia stress on your fish during transportation and the show itself but also may brighten the whites of your fish.
	OBSERVE your fish very closely the last few days before the show for flashing or any other sign of problems. (If any doubt about the health of a fish please leave it at home)
	Catch your fish very GENTLY as last thing you do before coming to the show.
	Carefully inspect your fish for injury, illness, or deformity BEFORE leaving home.
	Transport in cool covered containers (large ice chests are ideal) to maintain constant water temperature and a darkened environment.
	Ice packs maybe used inside the container but OUTSIDE the fish bags to keep water cooler and fish more relaxed.
	Fish can be transported to the show in several ways: