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My family and I are relocating from the FL panhandle to the Seattle area. We have a betta that we are attached to and would like to bring him with us. We will be flying to Seattle after the movers pack our things. My question is... Would "Moe" be able to tolerate the flight??? I know that they come to this country in worse conditions than I would provide for him. I'm just not sure of the pressure issue in the plane. TIA!!

I have actually wondered the same thing myself. I have never heard another person say anything on the subject, but I think I have an answer. Since fish ears do not have equilibriums, they may not be as sensitive to pressure as our ears. However, I really don't know if the equilibrium is the part of our ear that senses pressure or not. I know that they do provide balance, which fish do not need.

At any rate, airplane cabins are pressurized. As such, it is my opinion that a betta would easily survive a flight. Cats, dogs, and babies can all tolerate planes, so why not a fish?

---

And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

I don't even know if they'll LET you take a fish onto the plane. It's bad for it to go through the xray, I believe, and I had to subject my poor camera to more of that then I'd like... I wouldn't want to put a living creature through that.

I know I've read at least one account of a girl having to sneak her betta onto the plane (bag in her coat or bag, don't remember which), and she was terrified that it would be killed during the trip. As I remember, airport officials demanded that she flush him (she wouldn't do that, thus the fish in a bag, as a stowaway).

I would DEFINITELY urge you to check with the airport/airlines BEFORE you travel. Perhaps see if you can pack the fish in a cooler (like you'd ship fish) and put him in with the cats and dogs, if you can't take him with you on the plane. Either that or drive!

~Meow. Thus spoke the cat.~

So glad you want to keep your betta instead of getting rid of it because it has become inconvenient because of your move. I do hope you can figure out a legal way to transport your betta on the airplane. Good luck and let us know what happens.

Canada airports don't let you have plants or animals of any kind, except cats and dogs and they go under the plane to cargo=(

I'm not sure about there but I doubt it....


Angel Eel

If you find out you can get back to the post I'd like to know.

Last edited by angeleel at 06-Apr-2005 20:36

Last edited by angeleel at 06-Apr-2005 20:37

u can ship the fish by ups, or pack it in the plane,but!!!!! if u are going to do that then u must pack them in a styro box, with newspaper, outerbox, and some heat packs. but ups would be the best way to ship him.

Thanks for your suggestions.

I DEFINITLY would not take him without checking w/ airport authorities first!! I was thinking of just putting him in one of the little clear plastic tanks that they make for small fish, reptiles, etc. and carrying him on. I wouldn't have the slightest incling about how to "pack" him correctly. My hubby is driving my car to WA in the beginning of June. If he took him with him then, I don't know who would "fishy-sit" until we got there a few weeks later. I'm sure I'll figure something out!

Keep you posted on "Moe's dilemma" as soon as I learn more!

Kyle

You could get an automatic fish feeder.

Angel Eel

What do you mean about an automatic fish feeder? I don't understand.

We are moving from Pensacola, FL to Everett, WA. I need to find a way or devise a plan to get "Moe" to where we are going to live.

I dont know how they attach but, they are a round box almost that you fill with your food and it automaticly will feed your fish twice a day. That would help you when no one is around, and you don't know people in that city yet.

Here is a link to the Wal-Mart prouduct.


Hope this helps a bit
Angel Eelgsp?product_id=3635078&cat=202074&type=1&dept=5440&path=0%3A5440%3A202074%3A202104" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp?product_id=3635078&cat=202074&type=1&dept=5440&path=0%3A5440%3A202074%3A202104

Last edited by angeleel at 11-Apr-2005 19:51

I had a friend who went to school abroad for a while in Australia. While she was there she bought a goldfish. Two years later when it was time to go home to Canada, she bagged him and carried him right on the plane and he flew from Australia to Ontario in a bag in her lap. Since then she has had this same goldfish for another 5 or 6 years. I do not know how much rules have changed, but as far as the fish traveling, it made it just fine. The best thing to do is call the airline and see what they say! And do not let them put him through the X-ray!

I know this is kind of off topic, but one time i had to bring my hermit crabs from my dad's house to my mom's house and i was flying. I put them in a little critter carrier and they let me walk through the security device without putting them on an xray machine. Once i got on the plane i just held them and they were fine, except for when the container fell and the hermit crab starting crawling up and down the aisle! It was so funny, but they took the trip very well. Call the airline first just to warn them.

One possible solution if the budget will run to it is this: charter a light aircraft for the journey. It'll take longer to get there, but at least you won't have worries such as those attached to taking Moe on an airliner. If you can afford to charter a business jet (or twist the arm of someone you know who is fortunate and rich enough to have one!) then so much the better. After all, you're flying within the boundaries of the US, so customs shouldn't really be an issue anyway I'd have thought, post 9/11 security issues notwithstanding.


Panda Catfish fan and keeper/breeder since Christmas 2002