Fish on the Move: Inside Professional Fish Transport at ABBCO

Written By Morgan Abbott

When people think of ABBCO, they usually think pond builds and water features. But here’s one of the most specialist services we offer — and one of the most misunderstood:

Professional fish transportation.

We’re not just talking about chucking fish in a tank and hoping for the best. We’ve transported live fish tens of thousands of miles across the UK and Ireland, from single koi to full pond stocks, with zero shortcuts and full welfare compliance.

🐟 Why Fish Transport Needs Experts — Not Just Enthusiasts

Let’s be clear: fish are delicate. Moving them is a high-stakes operation — even short journeys can turn deadly if the wrong steps are taken.

Fish are highly sensitive to:

  • Temperature fluctuations

  • Water chemistry imbalances (pH, ammonia, nitrite)

  • Oxygen levels during transport

  • Handling stress and overcrowding

At ABBCO, we use:

  • Aerated, transport systems

  • Careful handling and acclimatisation procedures

  • Existing climatised pond water

  • DEFRA licensing for legal, compliant fish movements

  • Sterilised equipment, cleaned with aquatic-safe disinfectant to prevent cross-contamination or the spread of disease

If you want your fish alive, healthy, and stress-free at the other end — you need pros.

🌍 Where We’ve Travelled for Fish Moves

We’ve hauled fish across every kind of terrain — from sleepy rural garden ponds to luxury estates to massive commercial sites. Our coverage is nationwide — and beyond.

🔹 England: From Cornwall to Cumbria — including Norfolk, Suffolk, Kent, Surrey, Yorkshire, Lancashire, and everything in between.

🔹 Wales: Powys, Pembrokeshire, Gwynedd, Cardiff, Wrexham — you name it.

🔹 Scotland: Highlands to the Borders, plus Glasgow, Edinburgh, Fife, and more.

🔹 Ireland + Northern Ireland: Dublin, Cork, Galway, Donegal, Antrim, Tyrone — all covered.

🔹 Plus: The Isle of Wight — yes, we ferry fish too.

❌ The Hall of Shame: DIY Fish Transport Fails (These Are Real)

Let’s call it what it is: total chaos. We’ve seen it all.

  • Wheelie bins filled with hosepipe water

  • Sandwich bags (yes, like for sandwiches)

  • Uncovered buckets on the back seat

  • Kids’ paddling pools full of fish

  • One person turned a Zafira into a mobile “pond” — with zero aeration

These aren’t just funny anecdotes. They’re animal welfare disasters.

You wouldn’t move a dog in a cardboard box. Don’t do it to your fish.

🧠 What Proper Fish Transport Requires

Here’s what we bring to every job:

  • ✅ Oxygenated, temperature-controlled tanks

  • ✅ Acclimatisation protocols to prevent shock

  • ✅ Species-appropriate containers (no sloshing, no injuries)

  • ✅ DEFRA-authorised transport, so everything is legally above board

  • ✅ Aquatic disinfectant-sterilised equipment, to eliminate disease risk

  • ✅ Backup air systems in case anything goes wrong on the road

It’s not just logistics. It’s about welfare, biosecurity, and legality — all handled by people who actually know what they’re doing.

🐠 Thinking About Moving Fish?

Whether you’re:

  • Renovating a pond

  • Relocating to a new home

  • Taking on fish from someone else

  • Downsizing or rehoming stock

Talk to us first. We’ll save your fish, your sanity, and your bank balance.


Morgan Abbott
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