Bagging koi for transportation

1. Select the correct size bag, and add an inch or so of water to it. Then drop this bag inside another bad of the same size. This process is knowing as double bagging. Before continuing it is a good idea to roll the top of both bags over a couple of times to prevent the gap between them filling with water. You are now ready to transfer your koi to the bag.

2. Lean over the bowl, take the bag in your hands and gently lower it into the water. Now coax the koi to be moved into the bag, you will find that the bag starts to fill with water at the same time. Once the koi is in the bagm lift it from the water and see if it has the correct amount of water in it. For larger koi try and ensure that when the bag  is laid on its side the water level is high enough to cover the gills.

3. When sufficient water is in the bag, use either an airline from your air pump to inflate the bag if only going a short distance, or if a longer distance is to be travelled use oxygen. Once the bag is inflated, it can be tied off using elastic bands. It is best to use two elastic bands just in case one should give. It is also vital that not just the inner bag be sealed in this manner, but the outer bag as well.

4. You can place the bagged koi inside a suitable box ready for transportating. The bag should be laid horizontally in the box, rather then stood up. This box should be a good fit for the bag to prevent it from rolling about. If the box is too big, pack the space out with something - spare plastic bags inflated with air are a good choice.

5. When placing the box in your car, position the box lengthways across the car. This prevents further damage from occuring to the fish if you have to brake suddenly as the koi will roll in the bag. If the box was positioned the other way, the koi would smash into the ends of the box. This is of extreme importance when larger koi are being transported. It is also an idea to place the box out of direct sunlight to avoid sudden changes in temperature.

6. If you are having to transport your koi over a longer distance, when moving house for example, you might want to consider using polystyrene boxes as these will help maintain a more stable temperature within the box. If it is very hot, you may wish to add ice packs inside the boxes to help maintain a cool temperature throughout the journey

7. When releasing koi after transportation, check the temperatures of the bag water and the pond water. If they are significantly different, the bag should be allowed to float on the pond for 30 minutes to an hour out of direct sunlight before releasing the koi back into the water.