How to prepare fish for transportation to LFH Laboratories We receive fish with serious health problems everyday in our laboratories and only a small percentage are prepared adequately for transport. In fact, some arrive in a state of advanced decomposition that makes diagnosis impossible. It is more successful to prepare fish as suggested below and then use a carrier or better still a courier service for the transportation to the laboratory and ensure this is for overnight delivery. Please advise us that fish are to be dispatched by calling 01205 723413 or email via our contact page - we will confirm safe arrival. When fish are being brought to us by the owner for diagnostic examination and or treatment and the fish is returning home afterwards an appointment is required. Transit by carrier for a post mortem examination Preparing the fish for transit allows the fish to arrive in the best possible state for our investigation. Fish should be selected for examination that clearly represent the current health problem. If there appears to be more than one disease or condition then consider sending two or more fish. Contact us if there is difficulty in selecting the appropriate fish. Bags supplied by Koi dealers are made of a specific thickness for safely transporting Koi. To put one bag inside another, put a small amount of water in what will become the inner bag and drop it into the outer bag, its weight will then allow it to fully drop inside. Both bags should be rolled down together by about ¼ of their length to form a cuff. This cuff will prevent water getting in between the two bags and act as a floatation collar allowing the bags to be floated in the water in order to be ready at hand when required. If the proper bags are not available, use several plastic bin liners but avoid thin plastic bags they easily puncture and can have weak seams. Fish that are unwell are often easier to catch. However, if the selected fish resists capture avoid stressing it by chasing it with a net for long periods. It is better to get another person with a net to help you corner the fish. If it is easier, transfer the fish to a bowl and then to the transit bag. Oxygen is not something every hobbyist has available to inflate the bag. However, a pond air pump can be used instead or oxygen tablets purchased from an aquatic centre. It is unlikely Koi dealers will stock oxygen tablets as they are used with tropical fish, but work well for transport purposes. The bag should contain enough water to cover the fish, the rest of the bag should be inflated, and the air trapped as the inner bag is secured. After inflating and trapping the air, the neck of the inner bag should be twisted several times then a rubber band placed around it with one end pulled through the other to secure it. The twisted end of the bag can now be doubled over and secured by wrapping the elastic band around it. Excessive stretching of the band is not necessary, stretching it to about twice its length and wrapping it around the neck several times will be sufficient. The outer bag should now be pulled up over the inner bag, twisted and sealed in the same fashion as the inner one. Place the double sealed bag in a box. Ideally, this should be a polystyrene box as this helps to maintain the water temperature; however, a rigid cardboard box will suffice. Before sealing the box please include your name, address, telephone number and email address and a brief summary of the health problem including water test results, the date new fish were last introduced, how many fish have the current health problem and the number of moralities. Arrange for APC Overnight or the chosen carrier to carry out an overnight delivery. Ask them to collect the box containing the fish late in the afternoon if possible so it arrives at LFH Laboratories early the following morning. The aim is to ensure the fish is in transit for the shortest time possible. When a carrier is bringing fish for examination they are unwell and whilst some stress is inevitable it will not be for long and the examination may help other fish in the pond to recover. Transit by car for diagnosis and treatment When fish are being brought to us for diagnostic examination and or treatment and the fish is returning home afterwards an appointment is required. Call 01205 723413 or email via our contact page In cases when only one fish is being brought by the owner either for diagnosis or for treatment and the fish does not represent a general pond problem it is advisable to ensure the fish arrives in the best possible condition. To avoid stress, follow the advice above for transportation as far as possible or ring us for advice. In cases where other fish in the pond are affected, the selected fish must have the signs of the disease or condition afflicting the other Koi and then there may be a need to bring more than one fish. The double sealed bag should be placed in a box or container and, if there is no lid, cover the container so the fish travel in the dark. In the case of larger Koi, to avoid damage, place the box transverse across the axle. PLEASE NOTE THE ADDRESS FOR USE WHEN SENDING FISH OR SAMPLES FOR INVESTIGATION “Little Paddock” Millfield Lane West Frampton Boston Lincs PE20 1BW