do fish travel alone

Solo Swimmers: Fish Species That Thrive Living Alone

Some of us prefer to keep things simple or may not have ample space for an elaborate aquarium setup. If you’re one of them, worry not! Various fish species can live happily independently without fellow fishy roommates.

So let’s dive into the fascinating world of self-sufficient fish species as I share with you some top choices that don’t require buddies to flourish in your aquarium. After all, sometimes less really is more – even underwater!

The Independent Betta

The lone oscar, the self-sufficient pufferfish, the solitary cichlid, can different species of fish that prefer living alone be kept together in the same tank, or will they still exhibit territorial behaviors, what specific tank size and setup are recommended for each of these fish species that can live on their own, are there any special dietary requirements or feeding habits for these solitary fish species that should be taken into consideration when caring for them, how do the life spans of these fish species compare, and are there any unique health concerns to be aware of when keeping them as pets, what are some signs of stress or illness to watch out for in these solitary fish species, and how can these issues be addressed to ensure their well-being.

Ah, the beautiful and captivating Betta fish. Known for their vibrant colors and flowing fins, they are also quite popular among aquarists who desire a low-maintenance pet that can thrive independently.

What sets Bettas apart from many other fish is their unique personalities ; some may be shy, while others may be bold and assertive. Regardless of their quirks, one thing remains consistent – these solitary creatures prefer to live alone in an ideal tank setup catered specifically to them.

Creating the perfect environment for your independent Betta begins with selecting the right size tank . A minimum of 5 gallons should suffice as it allows plenty of space for swimming, exploring, and establishing territory without feeling overcrowded or stressed.

Equipping the tank with a heater will ensure optimal water temperature (between 76-80°F), which is crucial since Bettas are tropical fish known to suffer from poor health if kept in colder conditions. Additionally, including hiding spots such as caves, plants, or decorations provides your aquatic companion ample opportunity to seek refuge when needed.

Now that you have created an idyllic haven for your solitary friend to flourish in peace, it’s essential not to disrupt this harmony by introducing unwanted neighbors. Remember that although Bettas might seem lonely at times, they’re content being solo swimmers due to their territorial nature.

With this knowledge in mind, it becomes clear why keeping only one Betta per tank eliminates potential aggression issues are often seen when multiple males or females reside together .

As we continue our journey through the world of loner fishes seeking companionship elsewhere in life’s vast oceanariums, let us explore another species: the solo gourami!

The Solo Gourami

Taking care of a Solo Gourami is relatively easy; they’re hardy fish that can tolerate a wide range of water parameters.

They usually live for 3-5 years, depending on their environment and the quality of care they receive.

I’ve had some of mine for more than 6 years, so it’s worth investing in a good aquarium setup for them.

Ensure you give them plenty of hiding spaces and regular water changes – they’ll thrive!

Caring for a solo Gourami is a rewarding experience that allows you to focus all your attention on one spectacular fish. You’ll quickly realize their unique personalities and preferences make them an absolute joy to care for. As an experienced fishkeeper, I can tell you that providing the proper environment and meeting individual tank requirements are essential in ensuring your new aquatic friend thrives.

Solo fish maintenance doesn’t have to be complicated if you follow some basic guidelines. For starters, it’s crucial to maintain optimal water conditions by regularly checking temperature, pH levels , ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate concentrations. A suitable filtration system will work wonders to keep these parameters stable and create a healthy living space for your Gourami .

Providing adequate hiding spots within their habitat is essential since this species can become stressed if it feels exposed or vulnerable. Live plants such as Java Ferns make excellent additions for aesthetic purposes because they serve as natural filters and contribute towards improved water quality.

Feeding your Gourami appropriately plays a significant role in its overall well-being too. Offer a varied diet consisting of high-quality pellets or flakes and occasional treats like live or frozen foods (e.g., brine shrimp or bloodworms). This ensures they receive all the nutrients needed to stay happy and healthy while satisfying their instincts to hunt and scavenge.

Remember: taking exceptional care of our underwater friends is truly fulfilling when we see them flourish under our watchful eyes!

It’s truly amazing to watch our solo Gourami friends grow and flourish as they adapt and thrive within their carefully maintained environments. As an experienced fishkeeper, I know that understanding the factors affecting their lifespan is crucial for providing them a long and fulfilling life.

Generally, Gouramis have a lifespan of 4-6 years in captivity; however, some species can live even longer if given proper care.

One important aspect of ensuring your fish’s longevity is recognizing their unique adaptations and catering to these needs accordingly. For instance, Gouramis possess a labyrinth organ that allows them to breathe atmospheric air when necessary , so it’s essential to provide access to the water surface at all times.

Additionally, maintaining optimal water conditions by frequently monitoring parameters and performing regular partial water changes can significantly impact your fish’s overall health and extend its lifespan.

In conclusion, taking excellent care of our aquatic companions goes beyond just meeting their basic requirements; it also involves understanding the intricacies of their biology and behavior. By doing so, we contribute to their well-being and get immense satisfaction from watching them thrive under our dedicated care – because there’s nothing more rewarding than knowing you’ve played a vital role in nurturing another living being!

Ah, the solitary king of the aquatic world – the Oscar. A fish that doesn’t require a royal entourage to thrive majestically in its underwater kingdom. This regal creature can live comfortably on its own without needing fellow finned friends.

As an experienced fishkeeper, I must say Oscars have personalities as grand as their reputation suggests. Each Oscar has a unique character which makes them fascinating and enjoyable companions.

However, with great personality comes great responsibility; one must ensure they provide adequate tank necessities for these independent creatures to flourish gracefully. Oscars prefer spacious tanks (at least 55 gallons) to accommodate their potential size of up to 12 inches long. Additionally, it’s essential to maintain pristine water quality since poor conditions could lead to health issues or dull their vibrant colors.

Now, let us not forget about the self-sufficient pufferfish…

Now that we’ve delved into the fascinating world of Oscars let’s explore another fish that can thrive in solitude: the self-sufficient pufferfish. These captivating creatures make a statement with their distinct appearance and unique adaptations, allowing them to live happily independently. As you continue your journey as a dedicated fish keeper, it is essential to understand how these remarkable species have evolved to survive without constant companionship.

Creating an ideal environment for your pufferfish starts with understanding its natural habitat. Pufferfish are typically found in tropical marine environments such as coral reefs or estuaries, where they can feed on crustaceans and small invertebrates. In captivity, replicating this setting by providing ample hiding spaces like rock formations or driftwood helps create a sense of safety for your solitary swimmer while offering enrichment opportunities.

A well-established aquarium with stable water parameters will ensure your puffer’s health and happiness and satisfy your inner desire to provide exemplary care. From inflating themselves when threatened to display intricate patterns on their skin, pufferfish exhibit some truly awe-inspiring behaviors which captivate both experienced aquarists and casual observers alike.

Their independent nature makes them an excellent choice for those who want a singular focal point in their aquatic display while fulfilling one’s innate longing to nurture another living being. So indulge yourself in the satisfaction of caring for these exceptional individuals – after all, every creature deserves someone who understands its needs and appreciates its uniqueness.

Next up, get ready to dive into the realm of the equally intriguing solitary cichlid!

Like a lone wolf in the aquatic world, the solitary Cichlid thrives independently and can be an ideal pet for those who wish to focus on one fish at a time.

These fascinating creatures captivate the hearts of many experienced fish keepers with their unique personalities and engaging behaviors.

Cichlid personalities are as diverse as they come; some are aggressive, while others lean towards being more peaceful. Knowing your specific Cichlid’s temperament is essential before creating its habitat.

Ideal tanks for these individualistic swimmers include ample hiding spots such as caves or rocky structures, which provide them with a sense of security and comfort. Additionally, live plants add beauty to the tank and offer extra shelter for your beloved fishy friend, allowing them to feel genuinely at home in their underwater kingdom.

As you venture into the mesmerizing world of solitary Cichlids, remember that catering to their needs will result in a happy and healthy fish that brings joy to themselves and their doting caregivers.

So take pride in providing exceptional care tailored specifically to your unique aquatic companion, knowing that you’re directly contributing to their well-being and happiness – after all, there’s no greater reward than seeing your scaly sidekick thrive under your attentive support!

Frequently Asked Questions

As an experienced fish keeper, I can tell you that tankmate compatibility is still essential to maintaining a harmonious aquatic environment even when dealing with solitary fish species.

Although certain species may prefer living alone, combining them in the same tank doesn’t guarantee harmony among these reclusive underwater neighbors.

Solitary fish behavior often includes territorial tendencies that could lead to conflicts and stress for all inhabitants.

So, suppose you’re looking to serve your finned friends’ best interests. In that case, it’s crucial to research each species’ preferences and behaviors before introducing them in the same aquarium – ensuring peaceful coexistence and promoting their overall well-being.

Did you know that providing the right tank size and setup can increase your fish’s lifespan by up to 50%?

For those solitary fish species we love, like bettas, African dwarf frogs, cichlids, or even aquatic snails – creating a comfortable home is essential. Ideal tank decorations should cater to their needs: think caves for hiding spots in cichlid tanks or live plants for bettas .

When designing DIY fish tank setups, consider the unique requirements of each species; substrate preferences, water temperature ranges, and compatible flora are all crucial aspects.

As an experienced fish keeper, I’ve learned that fostering a healthy environment benefits our finned friends and serves as a rewarding experience for ourselves – there’s nothing quite like watching them thrive in a space tailored just for them!

Caring for our finned friends with unique fish habitats and solitary fish breeding habits requires special attention to their dietary needs.

As an experienced fish keeper, I can tell you that it’s crucial to research each species’ specific diet preferences and feeding frequency to ensure they thrive in your aquarium.

Many of these solo swimmers have diverse food choices, ranging from live or frozen foods like brine shrimp and bloodworms to high-quality pellets designed for particular types of fish.

Keep in mind, overfeeding can lead to poor water quality and health issues; therefore, serving the right portion size is essential for maintaining a happy and healthy environment for your aquatic buddies.

By catering to their individual nutritional requirements, you will foster a deeper connection with them and contribute towards creating a harmonious underwater world where they can flourish on their own terms.

There’s quite a range in lifespan comparison and unique health concerns of solitary fish species.

For example, bettas typically live around 3-5 years with proper care, while goldfish can live for over a decade if their environment is well-maintained.

On the other hand, guppies have shorter lifespans of about 1-2 years but are hardy and easy to look after.

Each species has specific needs – keeping your water clean and monitoring ammonia levels is crucial in maintaining their health.

Knowing how best to serve these aquatic companions means being aware of potential issues such as fin rot or swim bladder problems that could arise due to poor water quality or improper diet.

By staying informed on each species’ requirements and showing attentive care, you’ll be able to provide them with the optimal environment they deserve!

As a seasoned fishkeeper, it’s essential to be aware of solitary fish behaviors and recognize the signs of stress or illness. Stress prevention is crucial for their well-being!

Keep an eye out for changes in coloration, erratic swimming patterns, loss of appetite, rapid breathing, and white spots on their body – these could indicate that your finned buddy is struggling.

To ensure they remain happy and healthy, maintain optimal water quality by performing regular water changes, provide them with a suitable habitat, including hiding spaces and plants, feed them a balanced diet suited to their species, and avoid overcrowding.

Remember, as empathetic caretakers, our goal is to make sure our aquatic companions thrive in their environment while we enjoy the pleasure of serving others through nurturing life.

So, what’s the verdict on keeping these solitary fish species together? Will they coexist peacefully or bring chaos to your carefully curated tank? The truth is, it all depends on their temperaments and the specific conditions you provide for them.

Only time will tell if these independent swimmers can learn to share their space.

As an experienced fishkeeper, observing and understanding each unique creature is essential to maintaining a harmonious aquatic environment. Remember, a happy fish makes for a happy hobbyist!

So keep a close eye on your finned friends and be prepared to make adjustments as necessary to ensure their well-being.

Good luck, and enjoy the fascinating world of solitary fish care !

My name is Jaap, and I am a passionate shrimp and fish enthusiast. I rediscovered my love for this hobby with my son and want to share our knowledge and tips with you on this aquarium blog. We cover topics such as setting up and maintaining an aquarium, feeding and breeding your shrimp and fish, and creating the perfect environment for them to thrive.

Fish Care While on Vacation

Even the most dedicated aquarist needs to be away from their fish from time to time. Whether it’s a trip of just a couple days or a longer vacation, your fish will still need feeding and caring. Keep reading to know all the steps you need to take to ensure your fish are well cared for while you’re absent.

Although fish have a reputation for being low-maintenance, you can’t just up and go. You need to make sure you have all the right things in place before you head off.

There are so many questions to consider:

How long can fish live without food in an aquarium?
How long can you leave your aquarium without a water change?
What kind of automatic feeding options are available?
What about filtration?
Should you leave your aquarium lights on or off when you’re on vacation?

In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about setting up your aquarium so that you can go away on vacation and know that your fish will still be happy, healthy and pleased to see you when you get home.

Feeding your fish while you’re on vacation

Food is the first thing you need to consider if you’re going away on a holiday. Like all animals, fish need food to live!

Feed them too much, or too little, and you’re already setting yourself up for problems that can include disease or even death. Some greedy fish can’t help eating everything in sight, while others can be picky eaters who need to have their food presented in just the right way at a regular time each day.

Either way, food is the most important thing to get right when you’re getting ready to go on a vacation. The preparations you make will depend on the kind of fish you’re keeping in your aquarium. Being without food for 2-4 days is something that most fish can bear without any problems.

So if you can’t find someone to “sit” your fish and feed them while you’re gone, you can probably still go away for a long weekend without too much need for concern. But of course, all fish are different, and this 2-4 day guideline is just that – a guideline. The exact period will depend heavily on your exact fish – their age, weight, character and health will all have an impact on how long they can go without food.

How long can fish go without food?

Some hardier species of fish can survive as long as two or three weeks without food. This is anyway a long time for a fish to be starving though, and it can be dangerous to your pets’ health as they will need to tap into their reserves to keep going while they’re not eating. Starvation can obviously lead to stress, as well as potentially to organ failure and eventually, to death.

Here are some guidelines for how long some common species of fish can go without food. Take this with a grain of salt and although some fish can stay long time without food, we do not recommend to stretch them to the limit.

can go without food for around 7 days

really shouldn’t go without food for longer than 4-7 days

many reports they can go without food for up to 2 weeks , especially if they’re large. We do not advise to stretch the period without food that long.

can go without food for over two weeks , but they’d rather not

can go without food for around 8 days, but sometimes as long as two weeks. Although two goldfish did once survive 134 days without food after a NZ earthquake – but please don’t try to beat this record!

can go without food for 1-2 weeks

can generally go without food for up to a week

can go without food for 7-10 days

Hopefully though, you don’t have to put your fish through this kind of starvation and stress. There are a number of ways you can ensure your fish have access to sufficient food while you’re away. In the next section we’ll look at vacation feeders for fish, slow release fish feeders, automatic fish feeders and fish blocks that your fish can nibble while you’re on vacation.

Fish blocks

What are fish blocks? Do fish feeder blocks work?

Fish blocks are the generic name given to a range of slow-release feed products that you can add to your aquarium. They’re hard, densely packed little blocks that disperse food over a period of time.

However, they’re only designed to be used with a small amount of fish, and there’s no way to monitor how often your pets will nibble at the block, so they can be eaten up relatively quickly and also lead to bloating issues if you have greedy eaters in your tank.

Some aquarists don’t like to use fish blocks because they feel that fish feeder blocks lack adequate nutrition. Fish blocks are also known for creating large amounts of pollution in the tank. After all, you are dropping a large block of feed directly into the water, where it will begin to dissolve and degrade immediately. And you’re not home to tidy up the waste and change the water!

Some products on the market include water-clarifying ingredients to try to counteract this problem. There are also special products on the market that are made from ingredients that won’t cloud your aquarium water like a dry feed block.

Tetra gel feeder blocks that you can find on Amazon, can be a good alternative, as they don’t disintegrate on their own. Fish feeder blocks do have the advantage of being inexpensive, easy to buy and simple to use , so it makes them a popular option. Vacation fish blocks can help get you out of a tight spot if you need to go away suddenly, or when you can’t find a friend or neighbour to help feed your fish.

Here are a few options you might consider if you think that holiday feeder blocks could work for you. You can check them out on Amazon:

Supa Vacation 2-week holiday fish food block
TetraMin holiday food
Supa Weekend fish food
Tetra Gel Fish Feeder

This is a video that shows how blocks can work with goldfish

Automatic fish feeders

An automatic fish feeder is another option for ensuring your fish get the nutrition they need while you’re away.

An Automatic Fish Feeder It does exactly what you’d expect: dispenses food into the tank automatically, at a certain time of day and in the right pre-programmed quantity.

Automatic fish feeders are simple to install and easy to use. It’s advisable to invest in one that is high-quality and reliable, because an automatic fish feeder can only feed your fish if it’s working!

If an automatic fish feeder suddenly stops working it could lead to disaster, and you might come home to dead fish. And if it isn’t reliable and dispenses more food into the aquarium than it should, your fish can also suffer, either because they overeat and bloat up, or from the higher levels of ammonia that will quickly build up in their tank.

You can fill automatic fish feeders with tropical fish flakes, or other flake or pellet foods. With most models it should be at least several weeks before you need to refill the food container, which means you can be away for quite a long time without needing to worry about your pets.

Most are fully adjustable, so you can program it to release as much or as little food as you need it to. Some are even able to let you choose how often you want your fish to be fed , such as twice a day with a six-hour interval. Most automatic fish feeders also work by using batteries , so that they’re able to continue feeding your fish even if there are electrical surges or breaks while you’re away.

If you decide to use an automatic feeder, it’s a good idea to try it out in advance of your holiday. Set it up and give it a go the week before you leave. That way, you can test it to make sure you understand the settings, that you’ve programmed it properly, and that it’s working the way it should.

Can you make an automatic fish feeder yourself? Yes you can. DIY automatic fish feeders are easy to put together – but they’re only going to be as good as your skills are. Are you a regular home DIY-er? If so, then this could be a good option. Check out this video on how to build one yourself.

If not, then it’s probably best to buy a tried-and-tested product so that you can be confident about your fish. As stated earlier, it’s critical to invest in a high-quality product if you’re thinking about using an automatic fish feeder. Check out this post where we have reviewed some of the best feeders available on the market .

Use a “fish-sitter” to look after your fish

Even if you have the best automatic fish feeder in the world, sometimes you might need a little extra help with your finned friends. Maybe one of your fish is sick, or needs special care? Or maybe you are just nervous about leaving them on their own and you’d prefer to have someone check in on them or look after them full-time. Whatever the reason, sometimes the best option can be to get a fish-sitter. This might be a relative, a colleague or a neighbour that you know well enough and trust to care for them properly.

Don’t have someone in your life who can do this for you? These days there are plenty of pet sitting services that you can use to find someone. Check the noticeboard at your local veterinarian clinic or pet store, and staff there can usually recommend one or two names as well.

You might also consider using a service like www.trustedhousesitters.com. Sites like these connect people who need petsitters, with people who can help. Often it will be people who are travelling and use petsitting as a way of seeing new cities and countries.

The great thing is that everyone using these kinds of sites knows that pet care is involved and so you will usually get animal lovers who are more than happy to stay at your house for free in exchange for caring for your home and pets while you’re away.

They understand the responsibility of caring for your pets properly. You will usually create a profile and a listing setting out your needs, what kind of animals you have and their care schedules, along with a little information about your home. You’ll receive responses from sitters and can choose who you think would be best.

The best thing is that most sites operate on a verified feedback process, so you can select 5-star sitters that other people have had great experiences with. This can help you to be confident knowing that your animals will be well looked after – because you will also be asked to leave a review after the pet-sitting has finished, and the sitters will want a good review!

Many sites offer additional services like police checks for sitters and online 24-hour veterinary advice care lines. This can be invaluable if a sitter needs advice while you’re away and they’re not able to get in touch with you directly.

The site may charge an annual registration fee to access the listings, but they can be an excellent way of accessing a network of reliable, verified sitters whenever you need them.

This is an especially good idea if your fish need medication or other special care. You can use a days-of-the-week pill container to measure out medication, or even food if you are particularly anxious.

When you leave your fish in the care of a sitter, you can ask them to keep you updated with messages and even pictures of your fish. Many visiting sitters expect to do this as part of the deal, and it can really help you to relax knowing that your fish are well taken care of.

Keep your aquarium water clean

Should we even mention fish are sensitive to their tank water?

However this tip may be seem counterintuitive: the last thing you want to do right before going on vacation is to do a full water change in your aquarium. A partial water change can however be done. Introducing clean water will help to remove toxins and lower the stress levels of your fish, which can help keep them healthy while you’re gone. It also means the tank water level will be at full strength at the start of your vacation, which will help manage evaporation.

Things may be different if you have a small tank and you’re going on vacation for longer than a few days. In this case a partial water change might not be enough. You might need to do a 50-100% water change, especially if you keep sensitive fish like Bettas. It all depends on the size of your tank and your livestock.

If your tank is less than 2 gallons you should consider doing at least an 80% water change on the day that you leave, and doing a full change on the day you get back.

If you’ve got a small 1 gallon tank then you really should have a pet sitter do a daily water change to keep your fish healthy. Toxins can build up super fast in a small tank and coming home to dead fish is not the kind of homecoming you want.

Managing the water levels in the tank

If you’re worried about the water level getting too low while you’re away, you can put in an automatic water top-up device to help manage the situation. They come in several different styles and functions.

Some work by using gravity, so that as the water level drops in your aquarium, the extra water slowly feeds into the tank to keep it at the optimum level.

Other products use a sensor and a pump to do the same thing. These ones need electricity so be sure you have a back-up power solution in case of an outage while you’re gone.

Either way, it’s a good idea to set this up well before you go away on any vacation, so that you can test it and be sure it’s operating properly.

Here are two options to consider if you’re thinking of adding an automatic top-up device you can check out on Amazon:

Hydor Smart Level Controller
JBK Automatic top off water level controller

Filters: checking, cleaning, changing

Checking your filter is another important task before you go away on vacation. Your filter is an essential piece of equipment that removes poisons and impurities from your aquarium’s water, so it’s crucial that it’s in top shape while you’re gone. It also moves your tank water around so that there’s adequate oxygen in the water.

It’s a good idea to rinse or clean your aquarium filter media before you leave. This will help ensure your filter can cope while you’re away. You could also replace half of the media, just to ensure that everything is working the way it should be.

This isn’t necessary for power filters though, because they have an alternative path for water to return to the aquarium if the filter becomes clogged.

If you’re going away for vacation, it can be hard to know what to do with your aquarium lights. Leave them on? Turn them off? Set them to a timer so that they turn on and off by themselves?

Like all creatures, fish get used to their daily routine. They know when to expect their lights to come on, when their meals are due to arrive, and when the lights usually go off. It’s like the routine you have when you get up, shower, and have breakfast – or when you come home and shut the curtains and settle down for the evening.

All animals adapt to a particular kind of circadian rhythm that governs their activities during the day and their sleep at night (or vice versa, for the nocturnal ones). Disrupting this rhythm can be stressful to your fish.

A good way of ensuring that your fish can continue to go about their daily routine is by using a timer on your aquarium lights. If you have live freshwater plants in your tank, or saltwater corals, you’re probably already doing this in order to provide the light spectrum they need for healthy growth.

Many lights have this timing capability built into their functions, so it might be a simple matter of just learning how to use the feature. If your lights don’t have an automatic timer, you can purchase one cheaply and install it directly if you don’t fancy replacing your light completely.

Using a timer means your fish can continue with their regular day and night cycles, keeping them happier and healthier while you’re away. Check out our posts here and here if you wish to know more about aquarium lighting.

Water temperature

It’s important to ensure your aquarium stays at its optimum temperature while you’re on vacation. Fish can be deeply affected by changes in both water temperature and ambient room temperature – that is, by the temperature of the air around their tank.

If you’re going away during summer, set your air-con to kick in if the room temperature rises about 80F , and this will help to keep your fish comfortable. If there’s a heat wave predicted and you don’t have an air-conditioner, you really should think about having someone come in to check on the fish and adjust the temperature by putting on a fan or something similar.

If you’re on a winter vacation, make sure that your home heating system is working properly, and make sure you don’t turn the furnace down too low.

If you have a pet-sitter living in your home, ensure they understand what the best room temperature is for your aquarium. You don’t want them to abruptly change the thermostat and suddenly set it too high or too low – this can have a real impact on the health of your fish. Water that is too cold or too hot can cause stress or even worse.

If you’re already running an aquarium heater for your tank, then you’ve probably got the issue under control, as long as it automatically shuts off once the aquarium reaches its optimum temperature.

If your heater doesn’t have this automatic shut-off function, you might need to test out keeping the air-conditioning running in the room your aquarium is in, in order to set the air temperature while you’re gone.

But did you know that cooling the water by a few degrees can actually help your cause if you are going away and you don’t have a petsitter or another way of feeding your fish during your absence? Fish respond to a lower water temperature by becoming less active. Their metabolism slows down and they don’t burn food or their stored reserves as quickly as they would do in water that is the regular temperature.

So, by adjusting your heater or air temperature a few degrees or using an aquarium chiller , If you already have one, you can reduce their consumption of calories.

Of course, you shouldn’t rely on this as a regular strategy, or a long-term one – it’s something that should only be used short-term and if you’re in a real fix about the feeding.

“Boarding” your fish while you’re on vacation

Some aquariums or pet shops in your area might offer “boarding” facilities that you can take advantage of when you have to travel. This can be an expensive option, but it can also be a lifesaver if you’re in a bind.

And if you’re in a situation where you’ll be going away for a long time – weeks or months – and you don’t want to have a petsitter stay in your home to look after your fish, this can be the next best option.

Aquarium stores will know exactly how to care for the kind of fish you have, and they can provide the best environment. Just make sure you do your research properly and choose a provider that you feel comfortable with.

If there’s no one in your area, your local pet shop or aquarium store might still be able to recommend another option nearby.

By taking some simple steps in advance, you can put everything in place to ensure that your fish are happy and healthy while you’re away on vacation.

Prepare an automatic feeder, set an automatic timer on your lights, check your thermostat, clean the filter, and talk a friend or family member through what they should do in case of an emergency.

Then you can head off on your holidays knowing you’ve done the best for your finned friends. Bon voyage!

Schooling Fish

How they swim so close without colliding.

Sarah Scott is a fact checker with more than 16 years of experience in researching, writing, and editing digital and print media. She has verified and edited articles on a variety of subjects for The Spruce Pets, including pet behavior, health, and care as well as the latest trends in products for animals in the home.

Few aquarium scenes are more enjoyable than a group of fish swimming in unison, changing directions in an instant, yet never colliding with each other. How are fish able to swim in such perfect unison? Why do some fish swim alone while others prefer living in schools? Is it necessary to keep aquarium fish in schools?

Not everything is known about schooling behavior, but here is what experts know about how and why fish swim in schools.

Why Fish Swim in Schools

First and foremost, schools protect fish from their enemies. It's the same rule our mothers taught us as youngsters, always stay in a group because there is safety in numbers. Predators find it far easier to chase down and gobble up a fish swimming all alone rather than trying to cut out a single fish from a huge group. The same holds in reverse. Fish can better defend their territory in a group. Bullies will think twice about facing an angry school of dozens or hundreds of fish.

It is also believed that swimming close together reduces friction and allows fish to conserve energy while swimming. When dinner time comes along, food is easier to find as a group. Having 50 sets of eyes and noses gives the school a better chance of locating food. Last but not least, when fish spawn a school ensures that at least some of their eggs will elude predators due to the sheer numbers produced by a large group of fish.

A complex combination of senses allows fish to achieve those smooth schooling movements we marvel at. At one time it was believed a leader in the school directed the movements of the entire school. However, it is now known that each fish responds to the movements of the other fish, as well as stimuli such as pheromones. If one fish moves in a different direction all the others sense it and move accordingly.

The anatomy of fish also factors into the schooling equation. Eye placement on the sides of the head allows the fish to readily see what is next to them and move accordingly. However, sight is not the only factor used in schooling. Fish can establish their placement and direction in a school by using hearing, lateral line, sight, and even the sense of smell.

Do All Fish School?

It is estimated that more than 25 percent of the world’s fish species school throughout their lives and many schooling fishes spend a large portion of their lives in schools. As a rule, smaller fish are more likely to live out their lives in schools, although some large fish will school together.

Furthermore, not all fish that school do so for protection in numbers. Some of the fiercest fish in the world live in schools. Piranha fish live in large schools that they are born into. Although they tolerate their brothers and sisters, a sick or weak piranha in a school will be eaten by the others.

How Many Fish Make a School?

There isn’t a magic number that defines a school. However, in the wild schools of fish are generally quite large, often numbering in the hundreds or even thousands. In captivity, schooling fish need to have at least four to six to create a comfortable school. The adage, the more the merrier, definitely applies to schools of fish. In other words, you can’t have too many fish in a school.

Fish That Prefer Schools

Quite a few popular freshwater fish prefer to live in schools. Barbs , Danios , and most Tetras like black phantom tetras should always be kept in schools. Loaches such as the Clown and Kuhli loach often will pine away if they are not kept in a school of their kind, while the weather loach doesn't need to be in a school. Even larger fish such as the Silver Dollar prefer to live in a school.

It's a good idea to do your homework before choosing and purchasing a new fish, so know you upfront if they are best kept in a school. If the fish you are considering prefers to live in a school you should plan on purchasing at least four of the same species. Generally, it’s best if you can purchase them all at the same time. If not, purchase as many as you can at once and make sure that adding additional fish to the school at a later time is not a source of stress for the species you've chosen.

Also consider the size of the tank required to keep a school, as schools require more space for the forward swimming motion of multiple fish. A good local fish shop will advise you on what is needed.

Marras, Stefano et al . Fish Swimming In Schools Save Energy Regardless Of Their Spatial Position . Behavioral Ecology And Sociobiology , vol 69, no. 2, pp. 219-226, 2014, Springer Science And Business Media LLC. doi:10.1007/s00265-014-1834-4

Gruber, David F. et al . Bioluminescent Flashes Drive Nighttime Schooling Behavior And Synchronized Swimming Dynamics In Flashlight Fish . PLOS ONE , vol 14, no. 8, 2019, Public Library Of Science (Plos). doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0219852

5 Different Ways to Feed Fish While On Vacation

By: Samantha Schwab Updated: May 17, 2023

fish tank in a home - how to feed fish while on vacation

Home / BeWell / 5 Different Ways to Feed Fish While On Vacation

A s much as fish parents would like to pack their fish tank and bring their aquatic friends on vacay, it is not practical. So how do you feed your fish while you're away? Whether you opt for a fish sitter, an automatic fish feeder or vacation fish feeder or fasting, you’ll need to make informed decisions and create a smart action plan.

To help aquarists get ready for their trip, we spoke with Dr. Jessie Sanders , DVM, certified aquatic veterinarian (CertAqV) and owner of Aquatic Veterinary Services in northern California, and Dr. Benjamin Rosenbloom, DVM, veterinarian and founder of the Wet Pet Vet in New York City, for tips on how to feed aquarium fish while on vacation.

5 Options for Feeding Fish While on Vacation

Here, a detailed look at your aquarium fish care options, including costs, details about what each one entails and what to think about before finalizing your decision.

Hire an Experienced Fish Feeder/Pro Fish Sitter

One option to explore is to hire a professional pet sitter who has experience with fish, which means you can rest assured knowing you have a seasoned fish enthusiast watching over your aquatic friends. This is especially helpful if you have a saltwater fish tank, which requires the use of specialized equipment that might be overwhelming for a novice to navigate if needed.

The best thing you can do when you’re away on vacation, according to Dr. Sanders, is to have a fish sitter come check on your tank, even if you don’t plan on having them feed your fish. “That way, if there is something going on, they can at least let you know that things are looking a little funky before they get too bad,” Dr. Sanders tells Chewy.

How to Find a Professional Fish Sitter

To find a pro, ask your veterinarian or local fish supply store for a referral. Some pet sitting services also offer fish care as an available option. Here are some examples:

Petsitter.com
House Sitters of America
TrustedHousesitters

How to Find a Trustworthy, Reliable Pet Sitter, According to the Pros

At the very least, you should hire a pet sitter if you’ll be gone long enough “that you’ll need a water change, or an automatic feeder would run out of food,” Dr. Rosenbloom says.

“Have them come every other day, every few days, or if they can, every day,” Dr. Sanders adds. “It’s the same thing as having your neighbor come watch your cat or dog.”

Hire a Casual Fish Sitter

Another option to explore is asking a friend, neighbor or family member to check in on your aquarium fish. This is most ideal for those with simple fish tank setups (think freshwater fish like betta fish or goldfish) and for those going on short trips. Anything longer than a week might require a water change, which might be best left to seasoned fish sitters, but could be done by a trusted friend with detailed instructions.

Also keep in mind the worst case scenario emotional cost. If there ends up being a problem with the fish tanks while you’re gone, you don’t want that to jeopardize the relationship you have with that person. Consider hiring a pro if you’re worried about that possibility.

Troubleshoot For Your Guest Fish Feeders: What to Do In Advance

For friends, family members, neighbors, or anyone planning to watch your aquarium fish with zero experience, their job as a pet sitter shouldn’t be complicated. The goal is to make things as easy as possible for them.

Keep it simple. Don’t require the person to hatch and harvest brine shrimp, or refill your CO2 canister, for example. Stick to checking on the appearance of the tank, feeding your fish and checking water levels, if needed.
Clearly set expectations. Communicate their fish care duties ahead of time and leave a note with specific instructions.
Portion out the food ahead of time. Put it into bags with labels indicating the day each portion should be fed. If you have more than one aquarium, you can put sticky notes on the aquarium that indicate when and how much to feed.
Prepare extra water. Keep in mind that water levels can become low over time due to evaporation, so it’s a good idea to have a bucket of water prepared with a water conditioner ready next to the aquarium for your fish sitter.
Leave a phone number. Make sure you can be reached in case of questions or in the event of an emergency. You can also leave the number of an experienced fishkeeper who may be able to help if need be. If you don’t personally know any experienced fishkeepers, leave the name and number of your favorite aquarium store (and let the store’s manager know what you’re doing to facilitate communication with your fish sitter, should the need arise).
Hide extra food. Anyone who isn’t familiar with fish might think they’re still hungry after eating their meal and feed them more than enough food. “Unfortunately, when you overfeed fish when you’re on vacation and don’t maintain the water chemistry, that’s when you’ll have a lot of problems,” Dr. Sanders says.

Invest in an Automatic Fish Feeder

Investing in an auto feeder can be especially valuable if you have fish that eat often, like active fish, warm water fish (like betta fish) or fish who are newly hatched, or if you plan to be gone longer than regular feeding times and you can’t find a pet sitter.

There are many different brands of battery-powered or electric auto feeders to choose from that are all designed to hold and dispense dry food items, such as flakes, pellets or freeze-dried foods.

There are generally two types of automatic fish feeders you can choose from. “There are some that just kind of spew a certain amount of flakes or pellets for a certain amount of time,” says Dr. Sanders. “But I really like the ones where you can portion out the meals in advance where it will drop the right amount of pellets every 12 or 24 hours, however you want to have it set up.” These are generally around the same price point.

As with any type of equipment, though, there are pros and cons. On the positive side, for a relatively modest investment, your aquarium fish will be fed automatically. But if, for any reason, the fish stop eating or the filter stops working, fish food will continue to be dispensed until you return, which can actually result in polluted water or sick fish.

If you decide to use an automatic feeder, “try to set it to the minimum amount of food you think your fish needs to get by,” Dr. Rosenbloom says. “Unless your fish has underlying health problems, it’s very unlikely it will starve while you’re gone.”

Use a Vacation Fish Feeder

An alternative to an automatic feeder is a vacation fish feeder (aka feeder blocks). These are commercially packaged slow-release feeding blocks that come in a variety of shapes and sizes with varying contents, and are designed to last for specific periods of time.

However, there are some disadvantages to using this type of feeder while you’re away. According to Dr. Sanders, they tend to be low in nutrition and can severely foul your water. Plus, since fish aren’t used to eating from a feeder block in their tank, there’s a chance they might ignore the vacation feeder altogether.

Skip The Fish Food Altogether

It’s possible, in some cases, to let your aquarium fish skip meals while you’re on vacation without consequence.

“Being cold-blooded, fish do not normally need to eat with the same frequency mammals and birds do,” Dr. Rosenbloom says.

Most adult fish can be fine without eating for a full week, or two weeks at most, according to Dr. Rosenbloom. Actually, overfeeding your fish is more of a concern than underfeeding your fish while you’re away, since the accumulation of waste from the increased intake of food can affect the water quality and jeopardize the health of your fish.

The age, water temperature and species of fish are the most important factors to consider when evaluating the length of time they can be left alone without any preparation.

Fish age: Newly hatched fish may need to be fed 3-8 times per day with a high protein diet, according to Dr. Rosenbloom. While older, less active fish may benefit from feedings to 2-7 times per week.
Water temperature: “Fish metabolism is directly linked to the temperature of their environment, where warmer water usually means more food required,” Dr. Rosenbloom says.
Activity levels: Some species of fish are naturally more active than others, and a less active fish needs less food. “Fish without stomachs that graze for food, such as goldfish and suckermouth catfish, would likely need more regular feedings than an ambush predator, like a sedentary cod, that might only get to eat once in a great while in nature,” Dr. Rosenbloom says.

If your fish are especially active, are newly hatched or live in warmer water, they’ll need to eat more frequently, which means an auto feeder would be a worthwhile investment—even if you plan to be gone for a week or less.

How long (really) can I leave my aquarium fish alone?

Most pet fish in a tank need partial water changes every week or two to remove their waste products from the water they breathe and maintain optimal water quality. So if you can’t find someone you trust to do that job for you, try limiting your vacation time to under two weeks. “If water changes aren’t conducted over a period of several weeks, these waste products can build up to harmful levels,” he said.

Keep in mind that full fish tank cleanings should be done on a monthly basis, which are more involved than partial water changes and might be too overwhelming for someone inexperienced or unfamiliar with your tank.

Preparing Your Fish Tank Before You Leave

Whichever option you choose, consider taking these steps before your trip.

Prepare Your Aquarium Water

One of the best things you can do to prepare your aquarium for your time away is to perform a partial water change and clean the filtration system. “That way, your fish have the cleanest water you can give them before you leave,” Dr. Sanders says.

Feed Your Fish As You Normally Do

Dr. Rosenbloom recommends feeding your fish normally before leaving and avoiding overfeeding. “If a fish eats more, it produces more waste, which will pollute the environment when you’re gone and can’t do water changes,” he says.

Get a Light Timer

Before leaving, it’s also a good idea to invest in a timer for your aquarium lights. “A day and night cycle is important for fish to be healthy and happy, just like it is for us,” Dr. Rosenbloom says.

Purchase a Backup Heater

If you use a heater, purchasing an additional backup heater set to the same temperature as the first will ensure your aquarium fish stay warm in case one stops working.

Eheim Thermocontrol E Fish Aquarium Heater, 300 W

With a little planning and preparation, the experience of taking a vacation doesn’t need to be a source of stress for fish parents. Keeping the tank maintained, coming up with a feeding plan, and hiring someone to check on your aquarium will go a long way toward ensuring you return home to healthy fish.

And be sure to check out our list of three recommended automatic fish feeders before your next trip.

Learn more about fish food:

Cultivating Your Own Fish Food
What Fish Food To Feed Your Fish

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Do fish travel in groups?

Do fish travel in groups.

Fish are fascinating creatures that have captured the imagination of humans for centuries. One of the most intriguing aspects of their behavior is the tendency to travel in groups. But do all fish travel in groups, and why do they do it? In this article, we will explore the fascinating world of fish behavior and examine the reasons why fish choose to travel in groups.

Understanding Fish Behavior

Fish behavior is a complex subject that has been studied extensively by scientists and researchers. Fish are highly social animals that exhibit a wide range of behaviors, from aggression and territoriality to cooperation and communication. Understanding fish behavior is essential for conserving fish populations, managing fisheries, and developing effective conservation strategies.

Fish behavior is influenced by a variety of factors, including environmental conditions, species characteristics, genetics, and social interactions. Fish have evolved a range of strategies to cope with these factors, including group travel, which is a common behavior among many fish species.

The Importance of Safety in Numbers

One of the main reasons why fish travel in groups is safety. Fish that travel alone are more vulnerable to predators, and are more likely to be attacked or eaten. By traveling in groups, fish can reduce their risk of predation, as predators are less likely to target a large group of fish than a single individual.

Group travel also allows fish to share information about potential threats and avoid dangerous areas. Fish use visual, auditory, and chemical signals to communicate with each other, alerting the group to potential dangers and helping them to avoid predators.

Predation and Group Behavior

Predation is a major factor that influences fish group behavior. Fish have evolved a range of strategies to avoid predators, including camouflage, mimicry, and schooling. Schooling is a behavior in which fish swim together in a coordinated manner, often in large groups.

Schooling fish are able to confuse predators by creating a moving mass that is difficult to attack. They also use visual cues to stay in formation, and can change direction quickly to avoid predators. Shoaling is a similar behavior, but refers to fish that swim together in a less coordinated manner.

The Benefits of Group Travel

Group travel offers a range of benefits for fish, including increased safety, improved foraging, and enhanced reproduction. Fish that travel in groups are better able to find food, as they can cooperate to locate and catch prey. They are also better able to defend their territory and attract mates, as they can use their numbers to intimidate rivals and attract potential partners.

Group travel also helps to reduce the energy costs of swimming, as fish can take turns leading the group and conserving energy. This is particularly important for migratory fish that travel long distances, as it allows them to conserve energy and reach their destination more efficiently.

Schooling vs Shoaling

As mentioned earlier, there are two main types of group travel among fish – schooling and shoaling. Schooling is a highly coordinated behavior in which fish swim together in a tight formation, while shoaling is a looser, less coordinated behavior in which fish swim together in the same general direction.

Schooling fish are typically more streamlined and faster-swimming than shoaling fish, and are better able to respond to changes in direction and speed. Shoaling fish are more relaxed and less coordinated, and tend to be more vulnerable to predation than schooling fish.

Fish Species That Travel in Groups

Many fish species exhibit group travel behavior, including salmon, herring, sardines, tuna, and sharks. Some fish species, such as anchovies, are known for their massive schools, which can contain millions of individuals. Other species, such as clownfish, are known for their close social bonds and cooperative behavior.

Different fish species exhibit different types of group behavior, depending on their ecological niche and evolutionary history. Some species form large schools for protection, while others form smaller groups for foraging or reproduction.

Factors That Influence Group Travel

The decision to travel in groups is influenced by a range of factors, including environmental conditions, predator abundance, food availability, and social interactions. Fish may choose to travel in groups when resources are scarce, or when predators are abundant. They may also form groups during certain times of the year, such as during breeding season or migration.

Social interactions are also an important factor in group behavior. Fish may form groups based on kinship or social hierarchy, or they may form groups based on shared ecological niches. Communication is key to maintaining group cohesion, and fish use a range of signals to stay in contact with each other.

Communication in Fish Groups

Communication is essential for maintaining group cohesion in fish groups. Fish use a range of signals to communicate with each other, including visual, auditory, and chemical signals. Visual signals include changes in body posture, coloration, and movement, while auditory signals include vocalizations and sound production.

Chemical signals are also important, and fish use pheromones to signal aggression, mating readiness, and other behaviors. Communication allows fish to coordinate their movements, avoid predators, and locate food, and is a key factor in the success of group travel behavior.

Leadership in Fish Groups

Leadership is an important aspect of fish group behavior, and is essential for maintaining group cohesion and responding to changing environmental conditions. Fish leaders are typically individuals that are more experienced or have higher social status than other group members. They may take on a variety of roles, including leading the group during migration or foraging, defending the group against predators, or attracting mates.

Leadership is often based on social hierarchy, and may be determined by factors such as age, size, or aggression. Communication is important for maintaining group leadership, as leaders must be able to communicate effectively with other group members and respond to changing conditions.

Seasonal Changes in Group Behavior

Fish group behavior can change depending on the season and environmental conditions. Some fish species form large schools during the breeding season, while others form smaller groups for foraging or migration.

During the winter, some fish species may form tighter schools to conserve energy and avoid predators, while during the summer, they may form looser shoals to forage and explore new areas. Understanding the seasonal changes in fish group behavior is important for managing fisheries and conserving fish populations.

Final Thoughts on Fish Group Travel

Fish group travel is a fascinating behavior that has captivated scientists and researchers for decades. Understanding the reasons why fish travel in groups is essential for conserving fish populations, managing fisheries, and developing effective conservation strategies.

Group travel offers a range of benefits for fish, including increased safety, improved foraging, and enhanced reproduction. Different fish species exhibit different types of group behavior, depending on their ecological niche and evolutionary history.

Factors such as predator abundance, food availability, and social interactions can influence group behavior, and communication and leadership are important aspects of maintaining group cohesion. By studying fish group behavior, we can gain a greater understanding of these fascinating creatures and the complex ecosystems they inhabit.

Dr. Chyrle Bonk

Aquarium Fish That Like To Be Alone

What Fish Can Live Alone? When we think of the best fish for aquariums, we usually think of a school of fish. Some fish, however, prefer to live alone, even in tanks. These fish are solitary, they prefer to be alone. Some of these are extremely aggressive and should be kept alone.

Before you begin planning the composition of your fish tank, you should be aware that these freshwater aquarium fish are best when left alone.

Here are some of the lists of fish that can be kept alone in small or large tanks.

Paradise Fish

Cichlids fish, kribensis cichlids, figure 8 puffers, spotted green puffers, freshwater jellyfish, needlenose gars, convict cichlid, green terrors, jaguar cichlid, 26 aquarium fish that like to be alone.

This ferocious fish from the South American Amazon will not let anyone get close to it. “You can escape a crocodile, but not piranha-infested waters,” says a popular saying in the Amazon rain forests. These fish are so ferocious that they have been known to jump out of fish bowls and kill themselves. As a result, keep this wild pet in a securely covered aquarium.

These are the best aquarium fish to keep to themselves. Because they are fighters, they cannot coexist with other types of fish. They do, however, do well when paired with other Betta fish. Betta fish show more colors when left alone. The best thing about them is how simple they are to maintain. For oxygen supply, you can keep a small filter or live plants. Even when fully grown, they eat little and remain small.

Betta Fish Diseases With Pictures

They appear to be large but playful fish. Never make the mistake of tying two things together. Forget about other types of fish; these fish aren’t even compatible with their own species. Oscars grow to be quite large, so they require a large, well-ventilated tank. Another intriguing aspect of Oscars is that, while they prefer to live alone, they are easily bored. They are very temperamental, and you must keep them entertained by placing some plastic toys in their tank.

These were the first aquarium-raised exotic fish. Because of its aggressive nature, paradise fish is ideal for aquariums. They are fighters and will not tolerate most smaller fish. They do well in the presence of equal competitors, such as sharks. The Paradise fish, on the other hand, should be left alone because they are voracious eaters and squabble a lot.

Cichlids are fish that have a lot of personality and temperament. I can recommend these fish because you have a twenty gallon tank. These fish remain small and ready to reproduce. The fish tank that these fish are inhibiting will be a hive of activity. They make excellent parents and reproduce in shells. Begin with a few of these, and within a few weeks, they will begin to breed and buzz with babies. They require fine sand as a substrate because they dig a lot.

These vibrantly colored cichlids make excellent parents and are simple to keep in a twenty gallon tank. Give them a coconut shell and a small substrate. They will quickly settle in and make themselves at home in the aquarium.

Few people can resist seeing a pufferfish, and the small figure-8 puffer might be one you’d like to bring home to your own freshwater aquarium. Their expressive faces, inquisitive minds, and propeller-like fins are endearing. When startled, pufferfish inflate themselves with water or air, giving them their name. This is a very effective defensive mechanism because swallowing a fish that is ballooning in size is more difficult!

The green spotted puffer (GSP) has special needs and care requirements. Their spotted yellow-green backs make them an appealing choice for home aquariums, and their unique behaviors set them apart from most other fish you’ve ever owned.

Only one species of freshwater jellyfish (Craspedacusta sowerbyi) is found in North America, but it is found almost everywhere else. They have a white, bell-shaped body that is clear or translucent and is about the size of a dime or nickel. Unlike some marine jellyfish, freshwater jellyfish do not endanger swimmers.

The needle-nose gar is found in Asia’s rivers, ponds, and slack waters. They are long, slender fish with a silvery coloration. When in pursuit of prey, their body shape allows them to produce very quick bursts of speed.

Gouramis are a large family of fish that range in size from medium to large. Most can be kept in community aquariums, but some species do not get along with others, and others are too timid to be kept with any fish. This reference covers the fundamental characteristics of the most popular Gourami species, allowing you to determine which one is best for you. Each species’ links lead to a more detailed profile of that particular fish.

There also many other types of gouramis such as : dwarf gouramis, kissing gouramis, blue gouramis (and the like), pearl goruamis, honey gouramis.

Goldfish as we know them today are all descendants of the Prussian carp, which is native to eastern and southeastern Asia, and they don’t resemble their dull-colored forefathers.

The arowana is a beautiful, bony fish with large scales and long barbels that protrude from its chin. It has a large head with a strong jaw that can open wide in order to catch its prey.

A fire eel is a type of spiny eel, which is not a true eel but rather a type of freshwater fish. Mastacembelus erythrotaenia belongs to the family Mastacembelidae, class Actinopterygii.

The bichir is a fantastic and unique freshwater fish that will give your tank a very prehistoric feel. In fact, they are one of our favorite freshwater fish. Period. There are also a few different types available, each with its own set of colors and patterns. You have many options!

The convict cichlid is one of the most common species of cichlid. Because of their distinct appearance and simple care requirements, they’re a popular choice among freshwater aquarists.

Firemouths are beautiful Central American cichlids with grey, red, and blue colors that really stand out in a tank. Because of their temperament and size, they get along well with many American cichlids.

Pterophyllum scalare, or freshwater angelfish, is a cichlid native to South America. These fish can be found in various river systems throughout Colombia, Guyana, French Guiana, Peru, and Brazil, including the Rio Oyapock, the Rio Essequibo, and the Amazon itself. This species can grow to a total length of 6 inches and a height of 8 inches.

The Severum Cichlid is a long-standing aquarium favorite that has been around since the 1800s. These South American cichlids can grow to be quite large. Nonetheless, they are placid and get along well with the majority of community aquarium fish.

Festivum cichlids are peaceful freshwater fish that can be cared for by even inexperienced fishkeepers. These fish thrive in tanks with densely planted plants and sandy substrates. Festivum fish do not get along with other aggressive cichlids or tiny fish that can hunt them.

The Red Devil Cichlid, Amphilophus labiatus (previously Cichlasoma labiatum), is a friendly and exciting addition to any large show tank. It is a large Central American cichlid that can grow up to 15″ (38 cm) in length and is known for being one of the most ferocious and aggressive cichlids.

Green Terror Cichlids are tropical freshwater fish that require a variety of habitats, including plants and rock formations. A sandy substrate is preferred at the bottom of your tank. Green Terror Cichlids have been observed digging (this is fairly common cichlid behavior).

On May 10, 1989, the Guadalupe Bass was designated as the state fish of Texas. The Guadalupe Blass is only found in Texas and is a member of the black bass family of fish. It lives in fast-flowing streams and small rivers in the state’s central region. “Though its small size prevents it from being highly sought as a sport fish, the sheer abundance of Guadalupe bass is living testament to the sparkling purity of our state’s freshwater tributaries,” according to the legislature.

Jaguar Cichlids (also known as Managuense) are a well-known freshwater species among aquarists. However, many of them are scared of this tenacious fish!

So, that are some of the solitary aquarium fish that are like and happy being alone. But keep in mind before decide wich fish you wanna keep alone it really depends on your tank size.

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How to Care for Aquarium Fish While on Vacation

When going out of town, it can be stressful trying to arrange care for your pets. Thankfully, aquarium fish are generally on the easier side of care requirements because you don’t need to walk them, let them out to use the restroom, or even feed them every day. Here are four methods we recommend for ensuring your fish stay happy and healthy while you’re away.

Before You Leave…

Give your fish tank a good cleaning a couple of days before your departure. Do a partial water change, vacuum the substrate with an aquarium siphon, and clean the filter if needed. The tank maintenance is completed 48 hours in advance so that you have time afterwards to observe the fish and make sure everything’s working well before you leave. For example, some fish keepers have rushed their water changes at the last minute and then forgotten a tiny detail – like turning on the filter again – thus leaving their fish in a precarious situation while on vacation.

Clean your aquarium a day or two before leaving so you have time to make sure your fish, water parameters, and equipment are all doing well.

Method 1: Don’t Feed Your Fish

If you’re only leaving for a week or less, the easiest method is to not feed your fish. This may sound harsh, but remember that in the wild, fish must find their own food and are not guaranteed a meal every day. If your fish are healthy to begin with, they are equipped to go without eating for a week or even more, depending on the species.

As part of the regular quarantine process in our fish store, we have a decade of experience treating thousands of fish with preventative medications and no feedings for seven days in a row. The corner cases where this method should not be used are if a) you are raising baby fish that require daily meals, b) your fish are not completely healthy and need regular feedings to help with the recovery process, or c) you will be gone for more than a week.

Method 2: Set up an Auto Feeder

If your situation fits one of those special cases, then an automatic fish food dispenser is your best friend. Load the feeder with flakes or pellets , program what times you want it to feed each day, and mount it on the rim of the aquarium. Make sure to test the feeder several days before your departure to confirm that it’s working properly and the amount of food it’s dropping is appropriate. In general, we recommend only feeding just enough food to get them through your trip, since heavy meals result in more fish waste building up while you’re gone.

The Aquarium Co-Op Auto Feeder allows you to feed up to 4 times a day and comes with a rechargeable battery that lasts up to 3-6 months per charge.

Method 3: Find a Pet Sitter

Asking friends, family members, or a hired pet sitter to watch your fish has both pros and cons. The advantage is that your pet sitter can let you know if the fish are unwell and send you pictures and video to help with troubleshooting. Also, they might be able to do tank maintenance and water top-offs if necessary. However, not all pet sitters are well-versed with aquariums, so they can sometimes end up doing more harm than good.

A common problem is overfeeding because the pet sitter feels like “the fish looked hungry,” which results in poor water quality and potentially loss of life. One solution is to use a pill box filled with the right measurements of food for each day. Just remind the pet sitter that if they accidentally miss a day (or more), do not try to make up for it by feeding excess food from those previous days. The fish usually cannot finish all the extra meals, so the surplus of flakes just ends up polluting the water. Instead, skip the past containers and only feed the food assigned for the remaining days.

Frozen foods can be used instead of fish flakes and pellets, since they often come in cubes that are easy to measure out for each tank.

Asking your pet sitter to fed frozen foods instead of dry foods is a great alternative, since it is a “cleaner” food that won’t dirty the water as easily and the fish rarely leave any leftovers. To make things easier, you can label the fish tanks so that your pet sitter knows how many cubes of frozen food to feed each aquarium.

Method 4: Use Live Foods for Picky Eaters

What if you will be gone for more than a week, there’s no way to hire a pet sitter, and your picky fish won’t eat pellet foods from an auto feeder? Your options are fairly limited, but we still have some suggestions that might work. If your fish will only take a live or frozen diet, you can seed the tank with live freshwater foods such as blackworms, daphnia, scuds, and snails. In order to make the live foods last longer, consider putting them in a floating plastic container with a hole small enough that the fish can’t get inside, but the food can slowly crawl or swim out over time.

Daphnia are tiny swimming crustaceans that are often used as live foods for feeding fry and smaller fish.

You may notice that we did not recommend using vacation feeder blocks or other time release banquet blocks. While they may be appropriate for adding more calcium to the diet of your fish and invertebrates, they have the tendency to cause ammonia spikes and algae blooms when used during vacations because they often dissolve into a mess of tiny particles that larger fish can’t eat.

Hopefully, you found one of these four methods helpful as you get ready for your next holiday or business trip. Safe travels and happy fish keeping!

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Good Fish Keeper

When moving tropical fish, how should they be transported (steps & tips).

When it comes to moving tropical fish, the key is to ensure their safe transport. Whether you’re relocating across town or flying across the country, proper handling is crucial for their well-being. I have had the chance to safely move my tropical fish on many occasions, and from my years of transporting them, I can share my safe practices with you. From preparing for transport to taking precautions on long trips, I’ll provide you with the knowledge you need to make moving your tropical fish a stress-free endeavor.

How to transport tropical fish when moving

When moving tropical fish, I prefer to use a specialized aquarium transfer bag to transport them safely. These bags are specifically designed with multiple layers of durable material to ensure the utmost security for the fish. Additionally, they are equipped with a special oxygen supply system that provides a constant flow of fresh oxygen throughout the journey, keeping the fish in optimal condition.

To begin the process, I carefully place the fish in plastic bags topped (halfway or just under) with water from their current tank. This helps maintain their familiar environment and reduces stress during the transfer. To provide extra protection, I wrap the bags with several layers of bubble wrap, creating a cushioning barrier that absorbs any shocks or impacts that may occur during transportation.

To further enhance the comfort of the fish, I place the wrapped bags inside specially designed transport containers. These containers are equipped with adjustable compartments that prevent the bags from shifting or colliding with each other, ensuring the safety and well-being of the fish throughout the entire journey.

In addition to the physical measures, I also take steps to reduce the fish’s stress levels during transport. I use dark packets to limit their vision, creating a calming environment that mimics their natural habitat. This helps to alleviate anxiety and promotes a smoother and less stressful journey for the fish.

By implementing these meticulous procedures and paying attention to every detail, I can confidently ensure that the tropical fish are transported with the utmost care, providing them with a secure and comfortable journey to their new destination.

Tips for transporting fish in a car

To safely transport tropical fish in a car, it is crucial to minimize stress and maintain water quality. Start by using appropriate containers and ensuring fish are placed in bags filled with their tank water. Provide enough space and oxygen for the fish in these bags. Place the bags inside sturdy transportation containers like coolers or insulated boxes.

To prevent stress and potential harm:

Secure the bags of fish to keep them from moving during the journey.
Properly seal the bags to avoid leaks and spills.
Avoid feeding fish 24 hours before the trip; this will reduce waste, thus maintaining water quality becomes easier.

It is also advisable to monitor the water temperature throughout the trip, ensuring it remains within the acceptable range for the fish.

By following these tips, you will safely transport your fish in a car while minimizing stress throughout the journey.

Tips for transporting fish on a plane

For transporting fish on a plane, I recommend following these tips to ensure their safe journey and minimize stress. First, make sure to secure a sturdy and leak-proof container for the fish. Use a battery-powered air pump to maintain oxygen levels during the flight. Pack the container in an insulated box with temperature-regulating materials. Inform the airline about the live fish in advance and request special handling. Finally, double-check all regulations and requirements to avoid any issues at the airport.

Prepare for Transport

When preparing to transport tropical fish, there are several important points to consider:

Avoiding feeding the fish before the journey is crucial to prevent waste buildup and water contamination.
Selecting a suitable bag or container that can comfortably accommodate the fish is essential to ensure their safety and well-being.
It is recommended to bag any ornaments or decorations separately to prevent damage during transportation.
Taking safety precautions such as securing the bag or container and using a reliable method of transportation will help keep the fish safe throughout the journey.

Avoid feeding your fish.

Before transporting my tropical fish, I refrain from feeding them to prepare them for the journey. This is an important step to ensure their well-being during transportation. Here are four reasons why I avoid feeding them before the trip:

1. Preventing waste buildup : Feeding fish before transport can result in waste accumulation, leading to poor water quality and stress for the fish.

2. Reducing the risk of ammonia spikes : Uneaten food can quickly break down, releasing ammonia into the water and potentially harming the fish.

3. Minimizing stress : The process of being transported can already be stressful for fish, and feeding them beforehand can further increase their stress levels, resulting in excess waste.

4. Preventing water contamination: Food particles can contaminate the water, making it difficult to maintain the proper levels of pH, ammonia, and nitrate during transport.

Selecting a suitable bag or container for the fish.

To ensure the safe transportation of my tropical fish, I carefully select a suitable bag for them. I opt for sturdy, leak-proof bags specifically designed for transporting fish. These bags are made from durable plastic that can withstand pressure and movement during transport. I ensure the bag is large enough to comfortably hold the fish without crowding them, allowing them to swim freely. Additionally, I double-bag the fish to provide an extra layer of protection against any potential leaks.

Bagging the ornaments and decorations

After bagging the fish, I carefully secured and packed the ornaments and decorations for transport. Here are four important steps to ensure their safety during the move:

1. Remove any delicate or fragile decorations from the tank and wrap them individually in bubble wrap or soft cloth.

2. Place the wrapped objects in a sturdy box or container, making sure they are well-padded to prevent damage.

3. Secure the box with tape or zip ties to keep it closed and prevent any shifting during transportation.

4. Label the box clearly with “fragile” and “this side up” to alert movers and prevent mishandling.

Safety Precautions – Keeping your fish safe while traveling

I ensure the safety of my tropical fish while traveling by taking necessary precautions during the preparation for transport. Before I begin packing my fish, I make sure to clean and disinfect the transport tank thoroughly. This helps to eliminate any potential pathogens that could harm my fish during the journey.

I also ensure that the water in the transport tank is at the same temperature and pH level as the original tank to minimize stress. To keep the water oxygenated, I use a battery-powered air pump and attach it to an air stone. This provides a constant flow of oxygen for my fish. Additionally, I place a dark cover over the transport tank to reduce stress and keep the fish calm. By following these steps, I ensure the safety and well-being of my tropical fish during travel.

Precautions for Long Trips

When taking long trips with tropical fish, it is important to take extra precautions to ensure their safety. Here are four key precautions to keep in mind:

1. Secure the containers: Ensure the spare container is properly sealed and secured to prevent leaks or spills during the journey.

2. Maintain water temperature : Use insulated buckets to carry extra water from the fish tank and ensure it stays at the appropriate temperature throughout the trip.

3. Provide proper aeration : Install a battery-powered air pump to maintain sufficient oxygen supply for the fish during the journey.

4. Minimize stress : Keep the noise level in the vehicle low and avoid sudden movements or vibrations that could stress out the fish.

In conclusion, transporting tropical fish requires careful preparation and attention to detail. Whether moving them in a car or on a plane, creating a safe and comfortable environment for the fish is essential. By following the steps and tips offered, you can create a smooth and stress-free journey for your aquatic companions. Remember to take precautions for long trips and make the necessary arrangements to keep your fish healthy and happy throughout the transportation process.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Can Tropical Fish Survive Without Food During Transport?

During transport, tropical fish can survive without food for up to 72 hours (species dependant).

What Should I Do if My Tropical Fish Become Stressed or Sick During Transport?

If your tropical fish become stressed or sick during transport, I would first make sure the water temperature and pH levels are suitable. Then, I’d add stress-reducing additives and closely monitor their behavior.

Can I Use Ordinary Tap Water to Fill the Transport Container for My Tropical Fish?

Yes, you can utilize regular tap water to fill the transport container for your tropical fish (only as a top-up max 40%). However, treating the tap water with a de-chlorinator is important to remove any harmful chemicals before adding the fish. My best advice to you is to use water from their old tank by any means necessary.

Are There Any Specific Temperature Requirements for Transporting Tropical Fish?

When transporting tropical fish, it’s crucial to consider temperature requirements. They are delicate creatures, and sudden changes can be fatal. Maintaining a consistent temperature is key to ensuring their safety and well-being during the journey; therefore, you should avoid exposing them to direct sunlight or wind. They should be insulated so that it will take long for their water temperature to drop.

Do I Need to Acclimate My Tropical Fish to Their New Environment After Transport?

Yes, it is important to acclimate tropical fish to their new environment after transport. Sudden changes in water conditions can stress them out. Gradually sync the water temperature and chemistry by letting the fish float in their bag for 15 to 20 minutes in their new aquarium. This allows them to adjust and reduces the risk of shock.

Just a keen fish keeper from the UK

How To Feed And Care for Betta Fish When On Vacation

You can’t bring your pet Betta fish on vacation with you. It is unfortunate, but tanks are not that easy to transport, and you do not want to complicate your travel plans. Still, how can you take care of your Betta when you are away from home?

It’s not impossible to leave a fish at home for more than a few days. In fact, many pet owners leave their fish alone when they leave town. You just need to make a plan so that your Betta is fed while you are gone.

There are a few options to choose from. You can hire someone you trust to come in and take care of your fish for you. Alternatively, many convenient devices can keep your fish cared for as well. But I’ll get into these options in more detail later!

Really, if you plan on being away for an extended period of time it is important to have the right equipment and knowledge. There are a few things that you’ll definitely want to know before you head off to relax for a vacation.

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Keeping Your Fish Fed While You Are Away

There are many ways to go about feeding your fish during a vacation. But I’ll introduce six easy methods in this section to save you time. These are effective methods that will keep your Betta well taken care of. But some options might not work if you are away for longer periods of time. So keep this in mind!

1. Automatic Fish Feeding Device

Automatic feeders are popular devices that will keep your Betta fish fed for longer periods of time. They are not difficult to use and are easy to find online or at a local store. Quality feeding devices can cost a lot of money. But you want to invest in the best product for your fish. This way you know they are being fed right.

The great thing about automatic devices like these is the programmability. You can time when and how much your fish is fed. Different feeders have different options. Cheaper devices might only release food once a day. Others can be programmed for exact time intervals with exact amounts of food.

So look into specific devices before you make a purchase. If you want something that gives you precise control of your fish feeding schedule, you will have to do some research and spend more money.

Overall though, these are convenient options for any Betta fish owner. Not all automatic fish feeders will work for weeks and weeks. But if you find the right product your fish can be fed for up to six weeks. This might seem like the perfect solution. Especially if you are planning on leaving home for a few months.

But remember that your fish needs more than food to survive in their tank. Water changes are necessary for any Betta. Most tanks need to be changed around once a week, sometimes more if your tank is smaller.

And filters and other tank devices need to be properly maintained as well. So really, you do not want to leave your fish alone for too long. Even if they can be fed for weeks with one of these machines.

Furthermore, make sure you test your feeder before your leave. If the feeder your buy is defective or does not work well, your fish will suffer. Again, buying a high-quality device is a must in this scenario.

But if you have to go with a cheaper automatic feeder make sure it lets moisture out. You do not want your Bettas food (or other food that you are feeding your betta) to get mushy and soft. Otherwise, your Betta won’t eat while you are away.

2. Keep Live Food In Your Aquarium

Another option could involve a live food source. Betta can eat other fish and sea critters. And if you want to, you can put different types of live food in your tank to keep your fish well fed. Bettas are particularly fond of baby fish or fry as they are known.

You can place fry in your tank for your Betta, but there is no guarantee that they will eat baby fish. Other small sea creatures can be put in your tank as well. Worms or shrimp can be a good option as well.

But see what your fish likes before you leave for vacation. And know that there are some downsides to living food. Adding live food to a tank can create more waste in your tank. Fry and other living sustenance create their own waste.

Adding some live food in your tank for a short amount of time is fine. But if you plan on leaving for over a week, I would not recommend this option. Your fish will probably be better off with a feeding device. This way the water won’t have to be changed so soon.

3. Use a Food Block

Food Blocks can be used for your Betta tanks as well. There is a wide range of food block products for you to purchase. You can even get ones that are made for your Betta.

So how exactly do food blocks work?

These products are basically compressed fish food. They are not as advanced as automatic feeders, but they can be useful. You basically put one of these blocks into your water and they dissolve into your tank.

How long a block will last depends on which one you choose. Some food blocks last a few days. Other food blocks can be kept in a tank for a couple of weeks. But its best to only use this product for up to six days.

Really, food blocks can seem like the perfect solution. But there can be some complications with this choice. Sometimes, the food can release unevenly, and leave your fish without subsistence for days.

There is also the issue of water clouding and waste. Food blocks can unfortunately cause your water to get dirty. Especially if they are left in for long periods of time.

If you have a really good filter, and a large tank this won’t be as much of an issue. But consider this if you are planning on purchasing a food block. You might want to go with another option that is less messy if you have money to spend.

If you still end up getting a food block though, make sure it has the right nutrients for your Betta fish. Some food blocks are not an ideal source of food for Betta fish.

4. Let Your Fish Fast

Bettas can actually go without food for up to two weeks. You never want to intentionally starve your fish for this amount of time. As this can be cruel and unfair to your pet. But if you are going away for a short time, a small fast won’t harm your pet.

This is one of the simplest ways to solve your vacation problem. Your fish won’t be eating, so they won’t be as much waste in your tank. And you won’t worry about having to find products or people to feed your fish.

Bettas do not eat every day in their natural habitat anyway. So this can be an okay option, especially if you are going away on a two to three day trip. There can even be some health benefits for a short fast.

Still, you don’t want to go past the three-day limit. After this amount of time, your fish will enter into starvation mode. This will create stress in your fish’s body. And if this is done often, this could lead to illness and even death.

Younger healthier fish will be able to handle a small fast. But if your fish is a little older or is a fry. I would not recommend this method.

5. Hire Someone Or Ask Someone You Trust

If these other solutions don’t work for you, hiring someone to feed your fish might become necessary. Personally, I think this is the best option for Betta fish while you are on vacation. Not everyone is going to be able to afford this option though.

Or maybe you don’t have someone you trust to come into your home and feed your fish. Still, if you can find someone to take care of your Betta while on vacation definitely do this!

Just make sure you give the person detailed instructions if you are leaving for a long time. You don’t want them to put in too much food or end up killing your fish when you are away. If your fish sitter has never taken care of a fish, it might be best to just let them feed your pet.

There are plenty of great sites out there dedicated to just betta fish. A great example is Betta Care Fish Guide , ran by Antonio.

But cleaning and tank changes might become necessary, so don’t skip over explaining how to do this. If they have some experience with a Betta or other fish it will be much easier for them to care for your fish. You can even transport your tank to your pet sitter’s house for convenience. But be careful and drive slow when moving your pet.

6. Find A Pet Store to Take Your Fish

This is an unusual care option for a Betta fish. But it doesn’t hurt to see if your local pet store will take your fish in for a few weeks. You’ll have to pay money for fish care, but some pet stores do offer this option.

Again, not everyone has neighbors or people they trust to take care of a pet. So this can be a good alternative to pet sitting. And workers at a pet store know how to take care of fish so you won’t have to worry about them too much.

Still, there are downsides to sending your pet to a store. First off, transporting your fish can actually stress them out a lot. You want to minimize stress in your fish as much as you can, so it might not be ideal to take them out of their tank so they can be looked after.

In addition, you don’t know what kind of diseases or illnesses might be lingering in pet store tanks. If the fish at a pet store is sick, it’s likely that your Betta will get sick. So really, I would only recommend these options if you are desperate.

How To Keep Your Fish Comfortable While You Are Away

As you can see, there are many ways to feed and care for your fish when you go on vacation. You can leave your pet home without issue for short amounts of time. But for a longer vacation, a pet sitter might be necessary.

Regardless of what you end up choosing to do, you want to keep some other care tips in mind. Your fish needs to be comfortable in their tank while you away. The following advice will help your fish stay happy and healthy during your vacation!

1. Keeping Your Tank Clean Before You Leave

Before you leave, you want to do a quick clean of your tank. Do not forget to do a partial change of your tank water. You want to get rid of as much waste as you can while you are home. So take out around fifty percent of your water.

Depending on your tank size, you might have to take out more or less water. Very small tanks should be changed more fully. Keep in some of your tank water to maintain good bacteria levels. But replace most of it so your fish stays healthy while you are away.

With a bigger tank, you won’t have to change as much of the water. But I would recommend getting rid of at least twenty percent of your tank water.

You also want to clean your substrate with a vacuum and wipe down your glass. You want to get as much dirt and filth out of your tank as possible. Change your filter too if it has been in for a long time. Your filter will have to work well if you want to leave your fish in unchanged water for a few weeks.

And check to make sure that your filtering device is in top shape, and that your water looks clean before you go away.

2.Set Up Your Lights

You want to give your fish some lights when you are away too. Betta fish have a light cycle just like humans and other pets. So having a light for them while you are gone is important.

You shouldn’t keep your lights on for twenty-four hours a day. This could overheat your pet and their water. However, if you don’t have an automatic or timed light this might be a problem. It could be better to leave the lights off if no one is checking in on your fish.

But if you do have a timer on your tank lights, set it up so it turns on and off on a schedule. There are some great LED systems out there for Betta. This could be a great time to get one installed in your tank.

However, if you can’t afford a light system with a timer, just make sure your fish has some kind of light source. Betta should not be in direct sunlight, but you can place them in an area with some amount of light. This way they can stay on their light schedule while you are away.

3. Check Over Your Tank Settings

In addition to cleaning up your tank, and looking over your tank lighting, you want to check over the rest of your Betta’s aquarium. Your heating device should be set properly and work well. Your Betta should not be left in unheated water. They should stay in the right climate and the temperature should stay consistent.

Bettas like to be in temperatures around 76-81 degrees Fahrenheit. If you live in a warm area you probably won’t need a heater. But if it’s cold where you live or you have indoor climate control, you’ll need a heating device to control your tank water.

It might not seem like a big deal for aquarium water to change temperature often. But if your tank conditions shift too much your fish can get stressed out. So make sure everything is working right in your tank before you leave home. This way you come back to a healthy fish!

4. Ensure That Your Tank Is Safe And Functional

You also want to make sure that pumps or other devices are functioning correctly. If you have a filter with a pump, check over any tubes. Ensure that there are no leaks, and your pump system is working well.

Make sure your filter and heater is plugged in and turned on too. And check over the settings so everything is right for your Betta.

Lastly, your tank wires should be placed around your tank safely. Most aquarium devices are waterproof and shockproof. But you never want to risk your pet’s life. So check over this before you leave as well.

Bart Sprenkels

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Do Betta Fish Need an Air Pump? Aeration in Betta Tanks

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How to Breed Betta Fish? Breeding Process & Tips

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Goldfish Tank Requirements: What Size Aquarium Is Best?

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How to Transport Fish

Last Updated: January 25, 2024 Approved

This article was co-authored by Doug Ludemann . Doug Ludemann is the owner and operator of Fish Geeks, LLC, an aquarium services company based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Doug has worked in the aquarium and fish-care industry for over 20 years, including having worked as a professional aquarist for the Minnesota Zoo and Shedd Aquarium in Chicago. He received his Bachelor of Science in Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior from the University of Minnesota. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article received 12 testimonials and 100% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 449,636 times.

Aquariums are wonderful hobbies, and fish are great pets for many people. When you get fish, you expect to leave them in their tank and not move them. However, if you are relocating, you may not want to give your fish away. You can safely take your fish with you by placing them in proper containers and reintroducing them to their tank as soon as possible.

Ensuring Your Fish’s Safety Prior to Traveling

Step 1 Change the water for a few days before moving.

When you stop for the night, you need to take the fish with you. Don’t leave them unattended in cars or trailers.
If you need to fly with your fish, contact the airline to find out what requirements they have for transporting fish.

Step 4 Wait until the last possible moment to pack the fish.

You should also plan to unpack your fish as soon as you reach your destination. They should be the first thing you unpack.

Step 5 Avoid unnecessary travel with your fish.

Choosing a Container for Transportation

Place a second bag over the first bag so that it is extra protected. This helps in case the bag leaks.
Use a rubber band to secure the bags so the fish and water cannot get out.
If you are going to have the fish in bags for longer than an hour, get some pure oxygen from your local pet store to place in the bags with them.

Step 2 Transport the fish in five-gallon buckets.

Fill the bucket with water from your tank.

This may be good for fish with sharp fins or who may get out of a plastic bag.

Step 4 Transport the aquarium if it is small.

However, even small tanks can be difficult to move. They are very heavy, but also fragile. If you drop the tank and it breaks, you may lose all of your fish.
Tanks that are moved with water in them are more likely to get chipped or cracked.

Step 5 Transport your fish in an insulated, secure container.

If you have an insulated container, consider transporting your fish in it. A picnic cooler or styrofoam cooler will be great for this.

Step 6 Choose a container large enough for your fish.

You should only fill the container around a third of the way full. The rest of the container should be open for oxygen.

Step 7 Place all plants in plastic bags.

Keeping Your Fish Safe While Traveling

Step 1 Fill the containers with water from the top of the tank.

You can also use insulation to the transportation container. This can help regulate the temperature.
Check the fish’s temperature to make sure it doesn’t get too hot or too cold.

For example, you may place a sheet or rug over the container.

Step 5 Avoid feeding your fish during travel.

If you transported your fish in bags, place the bags on top of the water and let them float. This helps regulate the temperature of the water in the bags. When the temperature of the water in both are similar, you can pour the fish into the tank.

Taking Care of the Tank

Step 1 Empty the tank water into a fish-safe container.

Don't transport these things in the tank. The tank could crack if it is moved with items inside it.

For long moves, you can clean the filter and reintroduce it when you arrive at the destination. You may also want to throw it away and buy a new one.

Community Q&A

↑ https://www.atlasvanlines.com/Moving-Tips/How-To-Move-Guides/moving-fish
↑ http://animals.mom.me/keep-fish-alive-long-trip-9321.html
↑ https://www.pbspettravel.co.uk/blog/transport-pet-fish-safely/
↑ Doug Ludemann. Aquarium Care Professional. Expert Interview. 27 August 2019.

About This Article

If you need to transport fish, make sure no chemicals have previously been in the bucket you plan to use. Then, fill it with water from your tank and put your fish inside. Place the bucket in a dark place so the fish will be less active during the trip. Alternatively, fill 1/3 of a special fish bag with water and put 1 fish in each bag. Place the bags in a container insulated with bubble wrap so they don't burst during the trip. To learn how to take care of ornaments in your tank, like rocks and decorations, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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3 Reasons Why Fish Swim in Schools

Under Los Cabos crystal clear-waters habit numerous amazing fish species. From small to large, there is a diverse range that thrives in the Gulf. Some of the fish that can be found include Marlin, Snapper, Grouper, Mahi, Sailfish, Tuna, Tarpon, Snook and Roosterfish.

Like many animals, fish travel together in groups, but that’s not just because they love company. The biology of fish schools is not easy to understand.

Schooling has been widely studied and numerous theories have evolved trying to explain why fish get together.

Let´s know the difference between school, shoal and aggregation.

Aggregation is a loose and unorganized gathering of fish that often containing different species. They aggregate because they are all feeding on the same nourishment or swimming on the same section of the reef looking for protection.

A single species of fish in aggregation is called a Shoal . There, the fish are all pointed in different directions, milling around, doing their own thing.

When a shoal is polarized means that they are pointing in the same direction and working together. It is known as a School.

Fish gather in schools for several reasons:

Schools are conformed by thousands or hundreds of nearly identical fish who confuse predators and make it difficult to single out and attack one individual fish. An extreme but common response of schools attacked by predators is the formation of a circle. This behavior is distinctive and it is very common among several species and ecosystems.

2.- Feeding

It makes it easier for some fish to find food. With many more eyes on the lookout, a school can find potential prey more effectively. The school isn’t controlled by any single fish. It simply emerges if there are enough members following the right set of rules.

3.- Breeding

Schooling brings the sexes together and increases the odds of successful reproduction. Many fish species gather in schools when they are in need to mate but also could be the other side. Some schools could be conformed only by females. All together defending themselves from male harassment.

Is there any leader in charge? Truly, no one is and everyone is. Every single fish just follows two basic rules: Stay close, but not too close, and keep swimming!

If many fishes join the gang, something fantastic will happen: the single movement will turn into a stunning new entity which has its own behavior.

Book your trip and come to explore Los Cabos aquatic world. Undoubtedly you will find a remarkable diversity of memorable undersea experiences available. Plenty of tour operators provides scuba diving and snorkeling with the highest client satisfaction.

Los Cabos Tourism Board

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KM 4.3 Plaza Providencia Local no.209

El Tezal, Cabo San Lucas, B.C.S

C.P. 23454 MEXICO

NOT EXACTLY ROCKET SCIENCE

To work out why fish swim together, tempt a predator with virtual prey

Since as long as I can remember, nature documentaries and textbooks have said that flocking birds and shoaling fish gather in large coordinated groups to protect themselves from predators. That explanation makes complete sense. After all, many eyes can spot danger more easily, and many bodies can confuse the senses of hunters. But common sense often leads us astray in biology, and very few people have checked to see if collective motion does offer safety from predators.

Christos Ioannou is one of the first. By allowing a predatory fish to hunt virtual prey, whose movements he could precisely control, Ioannou showed that coordinated groups are, indeed, less likely to be attacked. So far, so obvious, but Ioannou’s results have a fascinating implication: predators can trigger the evolution of collective movements, even if their prey can’t see them. While we often think of flocking and shoaling as a response to a hunter’s advances, that response doesn’t have to be a deliberate one. Threatened prey could evolve to move as one even without any knowledge of the threat they face.

Ioannou currently works at the University of Bristol but he did his fish experiments in the lab of Iain Couzin . Couzin and others have used computer simulations to reproduce the complicated movements of real animal groups. Their virtual flocks and shoals can duplicate the mesmeric movements of starlings or sardines using deceptively simple rules, such as “stick close to immediate neighbours” or “point in the same direction”.

These simulations can tell us how animals move together, but not why. To discover that, Ioannou and Couzin needed an audience for their virtual shoals. They chose the bluegill sunfish, a broad-flanked North American species that hunts smaller animals in lakes and rivers. They released individual bluegills into tanks, where 16 prey – actually just reddish dots – had been projected onto the far wall.

Each dot behaved independently, and varied as to how close it stayed to its neighbours, and how closely it matched their direction of movements. Some formed coordinated groups, others just bunched together, and others moved randomly on their own.

The dots looked a little like the water fleas that young bluegills eat, and the fish attacked them willingly. As they launched their initial strikes, Ioannou and Couzin analysed which dot they targeted. They also compared these attacks to those launched by a virtual bluegill, that attacked at random.

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They found that the real bluegills had clear preferences for the ‘prey’, depending on how they moved. The dots that stayed reasonably close to each other, while matching each other’s directions were least likely to be attacked. Safety, it seemed, lay in a balance between attraction and alignment, and not too much of either.

Ioannou and Couzin found that attraction matters because it leads to larger groups, and larger groups are more confusing to predators. When the bluegills were faced with larger groups of ‘prey’, they spent more time hovering in place, and deciding where to launch their attack. If the prey weren’t attracted to their neighbours at all, they often floated alone, but if they were too attracted, they formed dense swarms that barely moved anywhere. There was a happy medium.

The same was true of alignment. If the dots were attracted to each other but only weakly aligned, the group as a whole moved very slowly. They spent more time near the boundaries of the display, and were more frequently attacked. That’s because bluegills hunt their prey in dense vegetation, and they’ve adapted to spot prey as they move from visible to hidden stretches of water. If the dots were weakly aligned, they spent more time in these danger zones. But if they were too aligned, their movements became too straight and predictable, and individuals would find themselves at the edges of groups where they were more easily and frequently attacked. Again, there was a happy medium.

None of this depends on the reactions of the prey. The bluegill selectively targets fish that move in a certain way, so the survivors will tend to be those with the right balance of attraction and alignment. Coordinated movements should evolve without the prey ever needing to see or react to the predator.

Already, all of this is old news. The results have only just been published, but Couzin says, “We have taken this technology much, much further .” He can now project the prey anywhere in the volume of the tank rather than only on one wall, and track the eyes of the bluegill to make the “prey” react to its gaze. “We can reconstruct a real 3D scene where the prey can float in the tank with the predator – and also they can now respond to the motion of the predator in real time,” he says. “We are also working on photorealistic virtual fish so we can simulate inter-fish interactions.”

Reference: Ioannou, Guttal & Couzin. 2012. Predatory Fish Select for Coordinated Collective Motion in Virtual Prey. Science. http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.1218919

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How to Safely Transport Fish For Short & Long Distances (Vet Answer)

By Dr. Luqman Javed, DVM (Vet)

Updated on Feb 9, 2024

Vet approved

Dr. Luqman Javed

DVM (Veterinarian)

The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.

Click to Skip Ahead

In this article, we’ll look at ways to transport pet fish over short and long distances safely.

Situations That Require Transporting Your Fish

A fish isn’t a pet people associate with traveling and transport, but there are situations where your fish needs to be transported.

Please be mindful that you should only transport your fish only when absolutely necessary. Fish are not meant to be transported all the time. Ideas such as taking your fish to the park daily or weekly are more likely to do harm than offer any benefits and are not conducive to your fish’s well-being.

Here are some situations where transporting your fish might be necessary:

Bringing home. When you purchase your fish from a store or breeder, you’ll need to transport them home and place them in an aquarium.
A vet visit . When an aquatic vet can’t come to your home to inspect your fish or perform a video consultation, you may have to transport your fish to the vet. Sometimes, your vet may advise you to bring in your fish after a video consultation (for a closer examination).
A relocation . If you’re moving houses or changing your address, you might have to transport your fish as well.

The transport might be short or long. Generally speaking, defining a trip as “short” or “long” isn’t determined by the distance traveled but rather by the amount of time it takes for you to make a trip. Though there’s no specific rule, a short-distance trip can last up to 6 hours. A longer trip exceeds this time limit. The fundamentals of transporting your fish are similar in each scenario.

Let’s look at each of these scenarios with a closer look.

Bringing Fish Home

This is perhaps the easiest form of transportation for your fish. You have to be mindful of a few things. Your fish will likely be placed in a plastic bag filled with oxygen, and the bag will usually either be tied or sealed for their safety. It’s a good idea to request that your fish be “double bagged” as an added precaution.

Additional tips to be mindful of include the following:

Ensure that picking up your fish is last on your “to-do” list while you’re out. Essentially, your goal should be to have your fish spend the least amount of time possible in their transport bag as possible.
Be mindful of other items you may be carrying in your hand; a sharp object can puncture the bag your fish is held in, which you would definitely want to avoid.
While transporting your fish (either by walking or while in any mode of transport), try your best to avoid any bumps, sudden movements, or abrupt stops (such as slamming on your brakes).
You should not run while holding your fish. It’s best to wrap your fish in a secure blanket or a towel.

Once at your home, carefully place your fish in a suitable aquarium and begin the acclimation process before adding them to their new home. If your fish is going to be joining a community tank , you should place them in a quarantine tank for a period of at least 4 weeks (6 weeks is ideal) before introducing them to the community aquarium.

If you're interested in learning everything about the safest way to transfer new tankmates into your aquarium, our best-selling book, The Truth About Goldfish , covers everything about ideal tank maintenance and details on the tank transfer method—a seamless way to add new members to the family!

Precautions for Long Trips

If your trip back home from the pet store is particularly long, request that they add ammonia-neutralizing chemicals to the fish bag. This can provide an extra layer of protection for your fish for a long period. Generally speaking, though, for pet stores that are exceptionally far away, you should opt for them to ship the fish to you , if possible.

A Vet Visit

Generally speaking, a vet visit is a short trip only requested in rare circumstances. In most circumstances, an aquatic veterinarian would visit your home rather than have your fish transported to them. However, in some circumstances, they may request your fish be brought in for a closer examination. At other times, there may be no choice but to bring your fish in for a complex procedure that can’t be performed during a visit to your home.

In this case, you can transport your fish safely by following these steps:

1. Gather Your Necessities

Here are the necessities you may require when it comes to transporting your fish . Most of these can be purchased from a pet store. Depending on your fish, you may require some or all of these.

Plastic bags to hold your fish or a very small transport aquarium or container with a lid (if your fish has sharp fins)
Oxygen tanks
Ammonia neutralizing medicine
An air pump, tubing, and an air stone
A portable water heater (these usually have a charging port compatible with your car’s charging port)
Two spare water containers or empty water bottles (these should have lids or covers)
Spare empty plastic containers, Tupperware, or transport aquariums.

2. Fill a Spare Container

Fill a spare water container or an empty water bottle with water from your fish’s aquarium. Close their lid or cover. A small water bottle that holds about half a liter of water is usually enough for a short trip for a small fish (such as a Betta or a Dwarf Gourami). However, if your fish is larger, consider bringing along more water. Note that your vet will almost always request a sample of your aquarium water, and therefore, you can always carry along more (within reasonable limits).

3. Fill the Transport Container

Ensure the transport aquarium or bag is clean. Fill it about halfway with water from your fish’s aquarium. You may add ammonia-neutralizing medicine to their transport container if needed.

4. Capture Your Fish

Gently scoop your fish out in a net and quickly transfer your pet into the transport aquarium or bag and close the lid (for an aquarium) or fill it with oxygen and then tie it (for a bag). If you’re using a bag, consider doubling it up.

Be mindful of the following:

Because ornaments and plants can sometimes topple during a trip, you should not place them in this transport aquarium or bag.
When transporting non-schooling fish, place each individual in their own bag or aquarium.
When transporting schooling fish, place at least six individuals per bag or per aquarium. If the transport container can hold more fish (and has enough water), you can place more of them in the same transport unit.
Mixing species while transporting fish is not advised.
If your fish has sharp spines or fins, do not place them in a bag for transport. Their fins or spines may tear the bag open.

5. Final Trip Preparations

If your fish is being transported in a bag, then ensure the following:

Place your fish’s tied bag in a spare plastic box, aquarium, or Tupperware with a secure lid.
Ensuring the bag isn’t leaking before closing the box you place it in.
If your fish needs to be kept warm for their trip, consider wrapping the container holding their bags in a towel or a fleece blanket.

If your fish is being transported in a transport aquarium or a container, then ensure the following:

Most fish will require oxygen for their trips that will take longer than 3 hours. To do so, pass an air tube to their aquarium. If the lid of the container does not have any space for an air line tube to pass through, consider drilling a small hole. Opt for an air pump with a rechargeable battery or one that can be charged or powered while inside your car (using the power ports in your vehicle).
If your fish needs heating throughout their trip, a similar procedure can be carried out for their heater. Ensure the heater is placed flat on the container’s floor. If parts of the heating element are outside the water, the heater may malfunction.
Please be mindful that because a gallon (3.8 L) of water weighs 8.3 pounds (3.8 kilograms), even a small aquarium can be extremely heavy relative to its size.

6. Transport With Caution

Your priority should be to transport your fish to your veterinarian with no or as few stops in between as possible. Ensure your car is relatively warm for your trip. An ambient temperature of around 25–28°C (77–82.4°F) is recommended for most fish. Ensure your fish is secure in your car (it’s best to have someone hold your fish’s container). Drive slowly, and try to use routes without too many bumps or potholes.

If the trip lasts longer than 3 hours, it is advisable to replace some of the water in your fish’s tank or bag with the spare aquarium water you brought along. To do so, use an empty container to remove some of the water from the container and replace an appropriate amount of water from your spare supply. Do not tilt a bag or aquarium to remove water, as you might lose your fish!

7. After Your Trip

Though, in most cases, you can safely reintroduce your fish to their aquarium after a short trip, you may wish to reacclimate them to the aquarium before doing so (especially if you suspect that the water temperatures have changed while you were away). You would have to use a plastic bag to float your fish before adding them back into their tank (similar to how you acclimated them when you first brought them home).

It is very important to acclimate your fish as a “new” fish if your fish spent more than a day with your vet (for example, if your vet placed them in a ward for recovery after a procedure). Ensure you complete any instructions provided by your veterinarian regarding aftercare for your fish.

A Relocation (Long Distance Drive)

A trip for a relocation is much more trickier and generally requires more preparation, even if it’s a short distance that you relocate to. The steps for a driving relocation that takes less than 48 hours (2 days) are as follows:

Once again, this occasion calls for gathering your necessities before your trip. These are the same as those listed for a short trip to the veterinarian, with an additional requirement of:

Multiple spare buckets of manageable size
A few spare towels that are large enough to cover those buckets
Tank sealant glue (in the unfortunate event that an aquarium cracks during transport)
Household ammonia (easily obtainable from a hardware store)

2. Water Change

Feed your fish their usual daily food, then change at least 20-25% of the water in your aquarium three days before your trip. Please note that this advice assumes an appropriately stocked aquarium. Heavier-stocked aquariums will require more extensive changes.

3. Stop Feeding

Two days before your trip, stop feeding your fish. You should also remove automated feeders (if any). This minimizes the waste they produce during a long trip. Healthy adult fish have no problems dealing with a fast of a few days. If your fish are young or unwell, try postponing your trip (if possible) or seek veterinary advice before fasting and transporting your fish.

4. Capture on Move Day

On the day of the move, fill the transport aquarium or plastic bag (depending on your choice) with some aquarium water, gently scoop up your fish, and place them in their respective containers or bags. Secure these using the same instructions and tips provided in the section above.

5. Drain Tank

After your fish have been placed in their transport bags or tanks, drain the tank to the substrate (if any). Try salvaging some aquarium water in buckets or spare containers, depending on how much space you have in your transport vehicle.

Please be mindful that aquariums should NOT be moved when they are full of water. Aquariums are designed to be stationary. Uneven water pressure hitting the walls of a full aquarium that is being moved can cause glass aquariums to crack or shatter.

6. Pack Plants, Filter, and Substrate

If your tank has a substrate layer, you should place it in a bucket with a very thin layer of water (just enough to cover the substrate).

Pack aquarium plants in plastic bags with some aquarium water and oxygen. Alternatively, plants can be placed in buckets with their roots submerged in aquarium water. Cover the bucket with a moist towel to ensure they don’t dry out during the trip.

Your tank’s filter media should be kept wet throughout the move as well. The nitrifying bacteria used in your tank’s cycle will perish if they dry out.

7. Drive Slowly

Drive slowly and carefully, avoiding speed bumps whenever possible. If you plan to stop for the night, do not leave your fish in your car unattended. Instead, bring them in with you where you will stay for the night.

Never leave fish (or any pets) in an unattended locked car during the day; they may die from heat stress. Try to keep your car somewhat warm, a temperature of around 25°C (77°F) is recommended.

The goal of a long-distance trip is striking a balance between stopping for partial water changes and not taking too long to reach your destination. Most people opt for water changes once every 3 to 6 hours. As a general rule, if your fish seem to be doing fine throughout the trip, prioritize covering the distance to your destination over a water change. If they seem to be gasping or air, appearing lethargic, or changing their color slightly, prioritize a water change.

The bacteria in your tank’s filter feed on ammonia provided by your fish on a daily basis. During a trip, they won’t have this source of nutrition, and therefore, it’s advised to drop a small amount of ammonia in the bucket holding your filter media before your trip (1–2 drops). This should provide the bacteria with food for about a day. Repeat this process the next morning (for a long trip that takes more than a day).

8. When You Arrive

Setting up your aquarium quickly once you arrive at your destination is crucial. To do so, work in reverse by adding in the filter media, substrate, and plants first. Next, place any salvaged aquarium water you brought along. Fill up the aquarium with fresh de-chlorinated water as needed, and install any other appliances (such as your aquarium light & heater). Turn everything back on and ensure they are working properly.

Ensure you check the parameters of the new water source you’re going to use for your fish. If they are vastly different from the parameters of your previous water source, you should acclimate your fish to the aquarium with extra caution.

9. Reacclimate Your Fish

After a long trip, it is important to reacclimate your fish to their aquarium over a period of about 60–120 minutes. This is to avoid giving them a shock when they first arrive in potentially new waters.

10. Monitor Your Fish

It is best to not feed your fish for about a day after arriving (they may likely be too stressed to eat anyway). Keep a close eye on them, and monitor your water parameters periodically, especially during the first week after a relocation.

If you feel that your fish aren’t adjusting well after the move or seem to be taking a turn for the worse, you should promptly contact your veterinarian or a fisheries expert for advice.

Public Modes of Travel (Flight, Ship, Train)

If you’re planning to use nonconventional public transport for your fish, you should always contact the relevant authorities for information with regard to transport requirements and their procedure. It is also important to check if you can legally transport your fish to their destination (some jurisdictions may not allow this).

Though odd, fish must sometimes be transported over short or long distances. In this article, we’ve covered the various scenarios in which you might have to transport your fish and provided a step-by-step guide on making the process as stress-free as possible. We hope this guide will help you if you ever find yourself in a situation where your fish must be transported from one place to another.

Featured Image Credit: Simol1407, Shutterstock

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You Can Help Migrating Fish Traverse a Dutch Canal By Ringing This Digital ‘Doorbell’

The live stream from the Netherlands, which lets viewers notify a boat lock operator when fish need to be let through, has become a popular pastime for people around the world

Aaron Boorstein

Staff Contributor

a fish appears on the live stream underwater

In 2020, ecologist Mark van Heukelum was strolling through Utrecht in the Netherlands, when he noticed that fish had congregated in a canal on one side of a 200-year-old boat lock, writes the New York Times ’ Callie Holtermann. Since boats do not usually travel through the city’s canals in the spring, the lock hadn’t been opened, and the creatures were trapped behind it.

“In the early spring, when the water gets warmer, some fish species migrate to shallower water, and they swim right through the center of Utrecht looking for a place to spawn and reproduce,” ecologist Anne Nijs tells BBC Wildlife ’s Melissa Hobson.

But the lock cuts off the animals’ progress—and waiting near it puts fish in a life-threatening position. When fish are stuck in the canal, predators like grebes and cormorants can more easily snatch them.

To help fish migrate safely during the canal’s quiet season, Nijs and van Heukelum came up with an innovative solution: the fish doorbell (or de Visdeurbel in Dutch). Launched in spring 2021, the webpage features a live stream from an underwater camera, allowing viewers worldwide to check for fish waiting at the closed lock—then, they click a pink button on the site when the animals appear on screen.

Each time a user “rings” the doorbell, the service snaps a picture of the fish and sends it to a team of ecologists. After enough fish are waiting, they notify the lock’s operator that the gate should be opened.

Nijs and van Heukelum worked with Utrecht’s government and local water authorities to establish the doorbell strategy.

“We live in a country which is partly below sea level. And we build a lot of dams and dykes and locks, which is great, because it keeps our feet dry. But at the same time, we create many, many obstacles for fish,” van Heukelum tells NPR’s Weekend Edition Saturday .

Now in its fourth year of operation, the doorbell usually runs between March and late June . With predators more active during the daytime, the website recommends visiting the live stream at night to spot fish swimming in the safety of darkness.

When the doorbell first launched on March 29, 2021, many Utrecht residents thought it was an April Fools’ joke. But now, it has become widely popular. This year, the fish doorbell has had roughly 1.2 million unique users since March 1, and its viewers have rung the doorbell more than 40,000 times.

“Some people are obsessed by it, and we receive a lot of fan mail,” Nijs tells BBC Wildlife .

While tuning in from the website is ideal, as that is the only place viewers can click the doorbell, the stream is also available on YouTube. The website can only host about 950 streamers at once, so any additional viewers get directed to the YouTube video.

Wildlife live streams, from cheetah births to beluga whale migrations , are often popular online for their educational and entertainment value—and the fish doorbell is no different.

“Somebody who had been very depressed and anxious reached out to me and said that the fish doorbell was the only thing that … could make her feel calm and distract her from difficult thoughts,” Nijs tells Scientific American ’s Riis Williams. “It really is so special for people to knowingly watch something with 900 other people around the world at the same time.”

Watching animals online can lead people to care more for wildlife, according to a 2018 study published in the Journal of Ecotourism . A pair of researchers investigated whether viewing live streams of brown bears at Alaska’s Katmai National Park and Preserve yielded positive environmental sentiment. They wrote that “the ability of online viewing to generate a positive emotional connection to bears was observed.”

With the doorbell in particular, people around the world can have a direct impact on the wildlife they see in the live stream—which is a large part of its success, Lisa Brideau , a climate policy specialist in Canada, tells the New York Times . But with the live stream’s legion of existing users, she suggests that people look for other ways to help wildlife closer to home.

“The doorbell is covered,” she tells the publication. “Where else can we put this energy?”

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Aaron Boorstein | READ MORE

Aaron Boorstein is an intern with Smithsonian magazine.

Fly Fishing Colorado | Professional Fly Fishing Guides
720.450.7291
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All of us have had times in our busy over scheduled lives where we have decided we need a break. For many of us here in Colorado, the idea of a break or an escape means a day on one of our world class tail waters or freestones. Being alone on the river with a fly rod in hand is cathartic. It allows us to stop all the multitasking and juggling of multiple projects that we continually add to already full days.

Tensions at home or work tend to disappear and the constant buzz of the cell phone from text messages and calls goes quiet for the hours we are on the water, because in most locations along the front range and into the mountains, cell phone coverage is sparse at best and in most cases non-existent. These are the days we all dream of. That half mile of pristine water off the grid where it’s just you and the trout. For most of us, the more isolated and alone we are on the river, the better we perceive the experience.

I heard a statistic that 80+% of anglers will not hike a mile to fish. Anglers want to park their truck, wader up, grab their rods, and be in the water. Only 5% of anglers will hike 3 or more miles to fish. For some, the idea of finding water that holds fish in an isolated location is worth the extra effort to get there. The fish tend to be more easily spooked in these locations, but they will not have had thousands of different permutations of 2 and 3 nymph rigs dredged over their noses.

I have school days where I am not working, where I love to go fish on my own. I’ve done it for years, sometimes hiking in to locations where I don’t see another human all day until I’m back to my truck. Some of these hikes are brutal, up and down steep grades on treacherous pea gravel ball bearings, and over large rocks. None of these locations have cell coverage. Typically, I would tell my wife where I might be going the night before, but more than once I’ve called an audible and changed locations.

If anything were to happen to me, I’d be on my own to extricate myself or self-rescue. Over the years, I’ve had some close calls. I’ve slid down hills, turned an ankle, and fallen in the river from a slip on a slick rock. None of these incidents was ever severe enough where I needed anyone else to help me out.

That all changed on a beautiful winter day February 1 of this year. I was fishing at Decker’s near Trumbull, scouting water with another guide buddy for an upcoming client trip. We had covered about a half mile of water by noon that day, and were packing up to move to another area where our permits allow us to guide.

We had been chatting with another angler fishing close to us, for the half hour prior as anglers do. What flies were working, how much weight was right for the 212 CFS flows, etc. My guide buddy was in the run down-river from me, and the other angler was below him.

As we decided to move, I had buttoned up my rods up first, and was walking on one of the gravel river bank trails that run parallel to the river all along the South Platte. I was two feet up off the river and just two feet in from the bank as this trail was very tight to the river. I was chatting as I walked, watching my friend and the other angler fish, as I moved toward them. That’s when my life changed in a nanosecond.

We had 10-12 inches of snow that week prior and snow covered the trail I was hiking on. As I walked toward my friend and the other angler on the bank, I took a step with my left leg. As my wading boot landed on what I thought was the snow-covered trail, the snow gave way and the next thing I knew my left leg dropped 18” into a hole. It was either an erosion hole or animal hole that was precariously located in the middle of the main trail. Because it was snow covered, I had no idea it was there.

So, my left leg drops into this hole at what seemed like terminal velocity, and angles my boot to the left pointing toward river. I then fly over the top of my left leg which is fixed at the knee in this hole, creating a U from my knee joint going forward as I land face first in the river. My Fishpond waist pack flew over my head and landed in the water along with my 2 Scott Radians. My friend in the river saw the whole thing. “Are you alright?” was of course the next question.

No was the answer. My leg was stuck in this hole which I proceeded to extract. My knee was toast and it was already the size of a volley ball. My friend asked me if I could stand up. Again, the answer was no. The pain was so overwhelming that I had to lie on the bank. I tried multiple times over the next 30 minutes to sit up but each time I started to pass out. Fortunately, my guide friend and the other angler stayed with me through all this. Finally, my friend said he was going to go get his truck while the other angler stayed with me.

We had parked our vehicles a half mile away and my friend got back in what seemed liked no time. After 45 minutes of lying on the river bank, I was finally able to sit up without passing out and then my friend and the other angler fireman carried me up the river bank and loaded me into my friend’s truck.

He took me back to my truck and he and others in the parking lot got me out of my boots and waders, and loaded me in my truck. I ended up driving home basically in shock, as we didn’t have cell service and I refused to let them call an ambulance. Not my wisest move, but I figured I could be in an ER much faster than I could get an ambulance to the river and back to town (as long as I didn’t pass out while I drove…..).

I meet my wife that afternoon at the Skyridge Medical Center ER and waited for over an hour to see someone. When the attending saw me, he asked what was up. I said I most likely have a tibial plateau fracture and possibly a fibula and tibial fracture. He said ok and ordered X-rays. The X-rays were read and it was a tibial plateau fracture, but the other bones of the lower leg were intact. The force of driving my femur bone (thigh) bone over the top of my knee into the soft tibial plateau complex completed shattered it. I got an Rx for pain meds and a surgical referral.

I met with a surgeon on the following Tuesday, who ordered a CT scan, and the scan showed the devastation I had caused in brilliant detail. The surgeon and I met again and an emergent surgical reduction of the fractures was planned the Saturday after my accident. It took 2 surgical plates and 7 screws to reduce and repair my fractures. I was told no weight bearing on the leg for 8 weeks to go heal.

Before Surgery

I’ve been sequestered at home for the past 7 weeks and I’m going crazy. My wife has had to wait on me and life as I know it was turned upside down in a split second. I’m finally able to put 50 lbs. on my leg at this point but I’m still on crutches. Next week it will be 100 lbs. and one crutch. After that, I can walk again, but I’m destined to have arthritis and most likely a knee replacement in the future.

So why this long-winded blog? The morale of the story is stuff happens when we least expect it. I was walking and didn’t do anything wrong. It was a matter of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. I was fortunate however, that my friend and fellow guide Floyd Wright was there, along with the other angler. We had chatted with him prior and it proves the point to be nice to people on the water. He stopped fishing and stayed with me for almost an hour.

After Surgery

If you must fish alone, please make sure you let someone know where you are fishing prior to your trip. Also, consider getting a Garmin or Spot device. The Garmin allows you to text via GPS (assuming you can…) where cell service ends, and the Spot device is a GPS beacon that alerts rescue personnel to your location again assuming you can press the button. It’s an annual subscription service and their reviews are mixed.

Finally, get a friend to accompany you or better yet, hire a 5280 professional guide. As a guide, I have 4 goals for my clients on trips, for them to have fun, to catch fish, to learn something new, and most importantly, be safe in and around the water. The 5280 Guides all know locations that are off the beaten path and we have access to private water that can give a client the solitude that they desire. Additionally, each of the men and women of 5280 has current Red Cross first aid training certification and each of us carry a very extensive first aid kit should emergencies arise. We practice safe fishing practices as well in this new era of Covid-19. We have waders that are cleaned and sanitized daily along with rods and reels that are Lysol’d or Clorox wiped before each trip. We will also place you a safe distance from other anglers. So be safe out there, tight lines, and please consider 5280 Angler for your next trip.

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Jessie on a Journey | Solo Female Travel Blog

20 Pros And Cons Of Traveling Alone

By Anna Dykeman. This guide to solo travel advantages and disadvantages contains affiliate links to trusted partners!

When deciding whether to travel solo or with a group, it’s essential to consider the pros and cons of traveling alone .

The desire to travel solo is particularly prominent among women, who are increasingly interested in experiencing new cultures and meeting new people without waiting on their friends or family.

Remember that time when your friend or significant other backed out of a trip at the last minute, so you ended up missing out, too? Well, when you travel solo, you can go anywhere at any time without needing to wait for anyone.

Still on the fence about whether you should take the leap and venture out on your first solo trip? Check out some pros and cons of traveling alone that may make it easier for you to decide. These are based on my own experiences traveling the world solo.

Additionally, you’ll see why so many people recommend solo travel, while also understanding how to realistically prepare for potential setbacks.

Quick tip: When traveling solo, it’s smart to pack travel safety essentials . One top pick is the She’s Birdie Personal Safety Alarm , which is TSA-approved and can help scare away potential attackers. Other recommendations include Clever Travel Companion Pickpocket-Proof Garments and Speakeasy Travel Supply Hidden Pocket Scarves .

Table of Contents

Travel Solo With Confidence [Free Course]

But first, before we discuss the pros and cons of solo travel , I invite you to grab a seat in Jessie’s free Savvy Solo Traveler E-Course .

The 6-day course is designed to help you feel confident about booking your first solo trip and exploring the world alone.

learn the pros and cons of traveling alone in this free solo travel course

Lessons include:

Common solo travel fears (like flying alone for the first time ) and how to overcome them
How to choose your perfect solo trip
How to tell loved ones you’re hitting the road solo
Mentally preparing for your solo journey without losing your mind
Essential steps for staying safe on a solo trip
How to take amazing solo selfies

Once you’ve grabbed your seat , read on to dive into our solo female travel guide .

The truth is, there are so many different solo travel pros and cons . Whether someone wants to make a case for why you shouldn’t travel alone or chooses to focus on the numerous advantages of traveling alone, they easily can.

Ultimately, though, it’s up to you to decide what is right for you, which this list can help you do.

That being said, please stick around until the end, where I give my opinion on what it’s like traveling alone as a woman (or man).

Spoiler: It’s pretty darn empowering, which leads us perfectly into…

#1 Pro – Finding Empowerment In Traveling Alone

Many people find empowerment in traveling alone — which is one of the biggest benefits of traveling solo . It gives you a sense of control and independence, which can be empowering in and of itself.

One of the major points for women who travel alone is to get out of their comfort zone and into the unknown.

(Real talk: is that maybe what’s scaring you and you’re unsure how to address it? )

A solo travel trip is a one-of-a-kind lifetime experience that you’ll cherish for the rest of your life.

Consider this:

What do you have to lose by stepping outside of your comfort zone?

Worst case scenario, you won’t enjoy it and will continue to travel with others.

Best case scenario, you’ll develop solo-travel-fever ( yes, I totally made that up ) and won’t be able to get enough of the growth, opportunities, and empowerment you’ll experience.

#1 Con – The Increased Risks of Traveling Alone

One of the major cons of solo traveling and why many are scared to travel alone , is that it increases your chances of being in dangerous situations.

If something goes wrong, you’ll be on your own and may not have anyone to help you — so be prepared for the unexpected when traveling solo and arm yourself with some travel safety tips and potentially even some travel safety gear .

On a recent trip to Puerto Rico , I was exploring San Juan’s famous Old Town on my own when I realized my phone was about to die (which is what inevitably happens when you spend hours using Google Maps and snapping travel photos).

As my unfortunate luck would have it, I was also in a shadier section of the city and it was getting dark.

Thinking on me feet, I decided to quickly look up my hotel name and address as well as how to ask for directions in Spanish and the actual map directions so I would have a general idea of how to get back.

After getting lost twice and asking for directions three times, I finally made it back to my hotel — where I prompty kissed the floor (not really, but I wanted to!) and recharged my phone before heading back out to explore.

It was a scary situation that I had to navigate fully on my own, though luckily everything ended up okay.

By the way, if you’re searching for a portable battery bank click here to see the one I use . It has a cute paw that shows you how much energy is left in the battery bank. I recommend always carrying one of these in your bag so you never end up in the situation I just described.

yellow travel solo at your own risk sign

#2 Pro – Flexibility With Travel Plans

Is traveling alone fun ? Absolutely — and you get to choose exactly how to have fun, too.

Another one of the major pros of traveling alone is having the ultimate freedom to explore destinations at your own pace without worrying about someone else’s schedule. This can lead to an unforgettable once-in-a-lifetime experience that is 100% designed by and for you.

Remember last time you traveled with someone else? Your heart was set on visiting that one specific location; however, you had to compromise and didn’t end up going.

As a single traveler, you have the freedom to choose your own itinerary and really maximize your time on the road.

Despite the joy of spending time with family and friends when traveling, wouldn’t it be nice to have the freedom to go anywhere you want, whenever you want? No compromises, no arguments, no when’s and buts. I know that for me this is a major advantage of traveling solo.

Are you a business owner who wants to get back into traveling for more work-life balance? Check out my article on how to plan your time around doing both . Because, yes, you can have your cake and eat it too!

#2 Con – It Can Get Lonely

Traveling alone has both pros and cons, but one of the biggest cons of traveling solo is the feeling of loneliness .

Especially when going away for more than a weekend, you miss your loved ones. This may be particularly depressing if you’re in a new and unfamiliar setting — possibly even in a new country.

This may also be a significant factor for introverted travelers who have a hard time making friends or talking to strangers. If this is the case, consider joining travel Facebook groups, Meetup groups , or CouchSurfing forums — all of which can help you reach out to other women who live in that area or who are traveling there to meet up.

For many, this is probably the most impactful con when considering the pros and cons of traveling solo.

#3 Pro – Meeting New People

Worried about making friends while traveling solo ?

One huge pro when it comes to solo travel is that you have the opportunity to meet new people from all over the world.

Whether you’re looking for new friends, to interact with locals , or to find someone to share your experiences with, traveling alone gives you the chance to make connections with people from all walks of life.

And who knows? Maybe you will meet a new travel bestie, discover new business or employment opportunities, or even find love on the road !

#3 Con – Travel Expenses Can Be Higher

“ Why is it more expensive to travel alone? ” is a question many solo travelers wonder as they frustratingly find themselves paying yet another solo supplement or shelling out the cash for a hotel room with nobody to split costs with.

One of the major cons of traveling solo is that you have to budget for your own expenses .

A great benefit of traveling in a group or with another person is that you get to share costs. Expenses can quickly add up depending on your chosen destination and activities — which is definitely a disadvantage of traveling alone.

When traveling on your own, this may mean that you have to spend a bit more on food and lodging; but, on the plus side, it also means that you’re in charge of your own travel plans and can make the most of your time and money — making it possible to either spend more or less on activities or choose locations where your dollar stretches further.

#4 Pro – A Healthy Tech Break

For better or for worse, our phones are truly the remote controls of our lives. And after the last few years of endless Zoom calls and virtual workplaces, we have moved even further into the digital age than ever before.

On the one hand, it’s great that we can connect with people from all over the world virtually and instantaneously.

But on the other hand, it can be challenging to take a break from our screens and disconnect from reality.

This all being said, when considering technology use while weighing the various traveling alone pros and cons , this really may be an overall pro in your life.

When traveling solo, you have more opportunities to disconnect from technology and simply relax in your surroundings — whether you’re taking a long walk in nature, exploring your destination, doing a new activity, or just reading a book in your room.

Traveling on your own can take away the temptation of being on your laptop, phone, and social media, especially as you won’t have a travel partner constantly posting on Instagram or asking you to co-star in their TikToks.

I recently went on a solo trip to Stockholm — which, by the way, was absolutely gorgeous — and I made it a point not to post any travel photos or videos while I was there.

Instead, I waited until I was back home to look through all of the photos I had taken to carefully choose specific pictures I wanted to share on social media.

If you’ve never tried this, let me tell you that it’s pretty humbling to realize how dependent we are on social media, feeling the need to share everything right away instead of fully enjoying our experiences.

I highly recommend that you maximize the benfits of solo travel by taking a tech break to truly immerse yourself in your trip.

a group of women weighing the pros and cons of traveling alone

#4 Con – No One To Share These Experiences With

While one of the primary benefits of traveling alone is that you don’t have to think about anybody else’s schedule or demands, you also miss out on sharing any memorable experiences.

Those exciting and unbelievable “Hey, check this out!” moments become reduced to a photo that will be emailed later.

So, while solo travel offers extensive freedom, it can also make it challenging to have such experiences without someone to share them with.

This one is linked to the biggest disadvantage of the pros and cons of traveling alone, which is being lonely.

At this point, you may need to consider how imperitive it is to share these moments with someone or if they’ll still have value to you if you experience them on your own.

On the flip side, traveling in a group also means enduring all of the disadvantages of traveling with others in exchange for these moments.

#5 Pro – Change Your Perspective Of The World

When you travel by yourself, you have the unique chance to experience the world from an entirely different perspective than you would otherwise.

Seeing how wealthy nations live may help you develop sympathy and empathy for individuals in less fortunate countries who may be suffering from poverty or who lack access to basic necessities.

On the contrary, seeing how people in rich countries live can make you want more from life. This form of travel may help you extend your viewpoint and better understand the world around you.

Moreover, beliefs and ideas that seemed strange when in your home country may make more sense, or at least become more understandable, once you hear them from the source.

Basically, when you learn about other people’s lives you may find yourself changing your own values and priorities.

#5 Con – You Come Back A Different Person

As noted in the previous point, when we travel a part of us changes, whether it’s your thought process, views, values, or even priorities.

So, it’s not only that your perspective will change, but so will you.

When looking at the various solo travel advantages and disadvantages , it can be hard to distinguish whether something is truly positive or negative. After all, this may also be a pro.

You may have learned new information that you can share with others, but you may also have changed in ways you are not totally comfortable with.

This is a valuable experience that may transform your life for the better. Still, it’s crucial to be aware of the possible implications before beginning this adventure.

This is especially important if you live in a culture with strictly-defined values; yet, your values may have changed as a result of seeing and experiencing something new.

woman enjoying the advantages of solo travel

#6 Pro – Solo Travel Can Help You Discover Your Purpose

This is a big one — especially for me.

Traveling can help you find your purpose in life. It can show you what you’re meant to do and how you can best use your time and energy.

You may also find yourself changing your priorities due to this journey, which means that you have adjusted your views on who should be and shouldn’t be in your life.

Personally, it showed me that my life’s purpose involves so much more than just working and living for my career.

It can even happen that you lose a little touch with reality and redesign your whole life. If you can go on your own somewhere else, who says you can’t do anything else you put your mind to?

Becoming so absorbed in a specific experience, culture, or country may just help you find purpose in your life, career, or relationship again.

And isn’t this what makes life worth living for; the experiences that change you?

#6 Con – Limited Space & Carry-Ons

While you divvy up who brings what when traveling with others, taveling alone means that you need to be more mindful of your packing and storage.

You also need to be prepared for situations where you can’t bring everything with you. This also includes hostels, small airlines, or even losing your big suitcase and being left with just your carry-on.

It’s happened to me before when my flight was canceled last minute, which caused my suitcase to be delayed as it was already packed on the original plane. Because I was traveling solo, I didn’t have anyone to borrow clothing or toiletries from.

Luckily, I had all my essentials packed in my carry-on ; therefore, waiting two days for my large suitcase to be returned wasn’t as catastrophic as I thought.

To help you plan for this, check out this article sharing my travel must-have’s — including a giant backpack that will fit under every airline seat (yes, Spirit and Southwest included).

I highly recommend that when traveling solo you pack two-to-three days worth of basics in your carry-on so that you’re always prepared.

#7 Pro – Get To Know Yourself Better & Reflect

Getting lost in your own thoughts or emotions while traveling alone is a common occurrence.

This might take you down routes you would never have imagined feasible if you weren’t accompanied by another person.

By being open-minded and exploring different interests, you may find new passions and hobbies you’d otherwise never explored or tried.

This is because you have more time to think about your ideas and emotions when you travel alone, as well as more opportunities for self-reflection and development.

Think: of out of sight, out of mind.

This can also mean processing past experiences and feelings, current issues, and maybe even tricky decisions about the future with a free mind.

Consider journaling, which is a great way to both process and appreciate your solo trip. Bonus: you can grab this free printable travel journal with 65 prompts !

a travel journal that can help you fully experience the pros of solo travel

#7 Con – Increased Anxiety & Overwhelming Moments

Traveling as a whole may help you feel more peaceful and relieve built-up tension; however, traveling alone in an unknown place can also raise your anxiety levels.

It is also possible to have periods of feeling overwhelmed or as if you are unable to do many tasks on your own.

Honestly, this is one of the reasons I generally stay out of grocery stores and instead opt to have them delivered.

As you can imagine, not every destination offers grocery delivery. When this is the case, I seek out open-air places like farmer’s markets, which don’t make me feel anxious.

The lesson: if you know you’ll be taken out of your comfort zone, consider creating alternative plans or learning coping mechanisms for these moments before you leave home. Just know yo may need to test and tweak your approach to find what works best for you.

Here is something else to remember:

Fear and excitement are both arousal emotions. Keep this in mind when traveling solo and stepping out of your comfort zone. When your palms start sweating, you can do an “anxiety reappraisal” and swap that “I’m so anxious!” with “I’m so excited!”

#8 Pro – Become A Pro In Problem Solving

One of the great benefits of traveling alone is that you get to learn how to solve problems on your own.

In fact, solo travel allows you to truly see just what you are capable of — because when forced to solve a problem or navigate a situation, you’ll have no choice but to figure it out yourself.

This may come especially in handy when you are back home and can suddenly get around without Google Maps, communicate with others who speak a different language, or keep everyone calm when something unexpected derails your plans.

Going back to my story above where I said my phone died while I was exploring San Juan solo, while it was an uncomfortable situation, I ultimately learned to depend on myself and formulate a plan.

Here are 2 problem-solving skills that I learned, specifically from this situation:

Communication

I’m not fluent in Spanish, but this scenario forced me to quickly memorize a few sentences on how to go back to my hotel. This is something I will likely not forget either — panic is a great teacher, ha.

You’ll have to learn to read maps if you don’t already know how. It’s one thing to rely on Google Maps for directions, but what if you, like me, find yourself in a position where your phone dies? All you’ll have left is the map provided by the hotel, which you need to be able to read — S, yes, always take those, even if you think you won’t need it.

#8 Con – Language Barriers

One of the biggest challenges and disadvantages when traveling solo is that you may not be able to communicate with locals.

This can be a problem if you are trying to authentically experience a culture — but can’t express yourself or understand other others when they share things with you.

For example, during a solo trip to Mexico I wanted to see the Maya ruins. Unfortunately, I couldn’t speak Spanish and didn’t know how to get there. Thankfully, some people were willing to help me out, and we went together.

While I was grateful for them, you can’t always assume you’re going to meet other helpful travelers. Instead, it’s wise to empower yourself to make things happen.

My strategy for this is to make sure I always have a working phone so that I can use a translator app (like iTranslate Translator) or even just Google how to say something.

Pro tip: Google Fi and T-Mobile both offer excellent unlimited cell phones plans for abroad, though you can also purchase a local SIM card in your destination.

solo traveler making new friends at a meetup group abroad

#9 Pro – Gaining New Independence

One of the great things about traveling solo is that you gain a level of independence and freedom as you become fully reliant on yourself. Don’t be surprised if this also gives you a huge confidence boost ( another advantage of solo travel !).

Additionally, this allows you to discover a new part of yourself without feeling any guilt from others that may question your decisions.

Right now, you have possibly gotten so used to spending all of your time with your partner, roommate, or parents that you have forgotten how to be independent; but, going on a solo trip can help you remember.

Here is a personal story:

When I first started traveling solo, I was in a relationship where I was more codependent than I’d like to admit.

But, solo travel helped to strength my confidence and self-worth as I began to take on new challenges and everything else the world threw at me, all on my own.

This may seem like a far-fetched aspiration, but the experiences you gain exploring the world solo will change you and make you realize your full potential.

Honestly, out of all the traveling alone advantages and disadvantages on this list, this is probably my favorite pro.

#9 Con – Photography Is A Challenge

One of the biggest challenges that solo travelers face is getting great photos that they’re actually in.

It’s not easy to take great photos without someone else to help you out. This is even more complicated when you don’t know the language well enough to ask others for help and you haven’t brought a tripod (which can be annoying to travel with).

On the plus side, if you don’t mind not being in all of the photos, are okay with taking selfies, or are a master at self-portraits, this won’t be an issue.

And, in all honesty, this con really isn’t a huge deal and shouldn’t be the reason you miss out on a potentially life-changing solo trip.

#10 Pro – Work Through Your Fears & Challenge Yourself

One of the great things about traveling solo is that you have the freedom to explore your fears.

When you’re traveling by yourself, you can be more daring and take on new challenges that would be too risky or uncomfortable to try with someone else around, or that they wouldn’t be interested in trying.

This can lead to unique experiences and mental and physical growth.

Personally, I doubt I would have taken on one of my wildest travel adventures to date, rapelling down a 250-foot cliff in Puerto Rico, if I hadn’t been solo without friends to talk me out of it. Instead, I was able to focus on what I wanted to get out of my trip.

single traveler having an adventure - one of the pros of solo traveler

#10 Con – Culture Shock

One of the biggest challenges that solo travelers face is culture shock , which occurs when you’re in a new place without any familiar landmarks or people.

For some it’s exciting , while for others it’s frightening.

Culture shock can be especially difficult to handle when you’re not used to the local language or the way of life — or when it’s your first time traveling alone and experiencing unease on the road.

Luckily, there are ways to help combat culture shock, the most important of which is researching the culture, customs, beliefs, and local area of the place you’re visiting so you know what to expect.

You should also look up local scams and issues to be aware of so you can avoid them, as well as how to behave so you don’t receive negative attention.

Here is another tip:

Accept that culture shock is a thing and welcome it as something that comes along with traveling solo to a new place.

Realize that with the discomfort comes chances to learn and experience new things, and that as you explore the destination and become familiar with it the negative feelings will go away.

Final Thoughts On The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Traveling Alone

While traveling alone can be intimidating and even scary, it may just be the best thing that has ever happened to you.

As you read above, there are many pros and cons of traveling alone to consider; however, with this knowledge, you can make the most of your single travel experience and enjoy yourself to the most extent possible.

As you can see, if you know what the potential challenges are ahead of time, you can plan accordingly and find a solution to them.

For instance, whenever I find myself interested in going to a place that is viewed as unsafe for women, I put additional effort into my research; I hunt for blogs or even Facebook groups led by women who have been there and can share their first-hand experiences.

Now, this whole idea of traveling solo may still be giving you anxiety. And you may be wondering:

What’s the worst thing that could happen if I choose not to embark on a solo trip?

Let me tell you: restlessness.

The likelihood is that you will develop an intense desire to try new things on a regular basis. Perhaps this is already your justification for wanting to go on a solo trip?

If this is the case, I highly recommend heading out on a solo travel adventure and seeing just how incredible it can be.

Because remember: you can always book a flight home early if you truly hate it; but, if you never try in the first place, you might always wonder what could have been.

Is It Safe To Travel Alone As A Woman?

Absolutely! As long as you research your destination and keep everyday safety tips in mind — like never leaving your drink unattended at a bar, not walking alone in areas that aren’t well-lit at night, and keeping valuables hidden (or better yet, in the hotel room safe) — you can absolutely have a safe and fun trip as a solo female.

Not only that, but as you now know, there are many benefits to traveling alone . You truly can have ultimate freedom over your itinerary while growing your relationship with yourself and becoming a more confident and independent person.

This isn’t to say that there are no dangers of traveling alone; however, as you can see from reading the countless solo female travel blogs that exist online — including this one — traveling alone is a common activity and most trips are enjoyed without any safety issues.

Travel Insurance For Solo Travel

This all being said, you should still prepare for issues to arise, just in case! This is why it’s wise to get travel insurance before embarking on a solo trip.

One of the best travel medical insurance for travelers is SafetyWing as they’ve got a large network and offer both short-term and long-term coverage — including coverage if you’re traveling for months as well as limited coverage in your home country).

Additionally, SafetyWing is budget-friendly and offers $250,000 worth of coverage with just one low overall deductible of $250.

Click here to price out travel insurance for your trip in just a few clicks .

Advantages and Disadvantages of Traveling Alone FAQs

Q) what are the advantages and disadvantages of traveling alone.

Some of the advantages of traveling alone include the flexibility to do exactly what you want, meeting new people, and becoming more independent and empowered. Some of the disadvantages of traveling alone include higher travel expenses (since there’s no one to split them with) and loneliness.

Q) Is traveling alone enjoyable?

Absolutely. Traveling alone can be just as enjoyable, if not more so, than traveling in a group or with friends. When you travel alone, you get to do and see what you want, when you want. What’s better than that?

Q) Is it risky to travel alone?

Not necessarily. While there are some added risks of traveling alone, as detailed above, solo travel itself is not risky. Just be sure to take some common sense precautions and do research in advance.

Bonus Solo Travel Benefits Resources:

14 Benefits Of Traveling Alone + Tips To Make It Happen

An Open Letter From The Father of A Female Solo Traveler

An Open Letter From The Mother Of A Female Solo Traveler

Black Solo Female Travel: An Eye-Opening & Empowering Guide

Tips For Convincing Loved Ones To Let You Travel Solo

How To Travel Solo Successfully: 31+ Important Tips

What pros and cons of traveling alone would you add to this list?

About The Author

Anna Dykeman is a traveler, blogger, and entrepreneur who can’t keep herself still. She’s always on the move, whether working hard on a new passion project or exploring a new city as a part-time digital nomad. Dare to keep up? Check out The Tatted Nomad for everything digital nomad, social media marketing, and travel (and to see her latest addition, Novah, her service dog and travel companion).

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Hi, I’m Jessie on a journey!

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Nice post. Solo travel can be rewarding, and I have enjoyed it at times, however I prefer a mixed solo/shared travel.

Travelling alone can be one of the most liberating experiences of your life. It completely changes your outlook on everything you do when you travel on your own.

It is a great experience to travel alone, it is a good moment of reflection and to find oneself, you just have to be encouraged.

Very informative. Alone time can lead to self-discovery and personal growth as you navigate unfamiliar situations on your own.

How (and why) to travel alone

Smart solo travel tips to help you avoid scams, creeps, and loneliness.

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In 2019, Alea Simone quit her job, sold all her furniture, packed her bags, and embarked on a four-month trip across 17 countries in Europe and Asia — by herself. It was the first time she ever traveled solo. The Texas native had never visited Europe or Asia before, and she admits she was intimidated. Would she be able to navigate public transportation ? Communicate in non-English-speaking countries?

“I was really scared,” Simone says, “but at the same time, I had to push myself forward because there really wasn’t much for me to go back to.”

Four years and countless solo trips later, Simone is something of an expert. She recounts her travels to thousands of followers on TikTok and Instagram , offering insight to adventurers, from cheap flight deals to a review of airport nail salon services . While she still gets anxiety ahead of solo travels from time to time, the best way to quell her fears is to hop on the plane and go.

Do you have a question or idea for Even Better?

Submit it by filling out this form .

More travelers than ever before are choosing to venture on their own. According to a survey by the travel search engine Kayak , searches for single-person flights in 2023 are up 36 percent compared to 2022. Search interest in solo travel hit an all-time high in July 2023. The benefits of solo travel are wide-ranging, from complete flexibility to the potential for a transformative experience . Beholden to no one but themselves, solo travelers can eat where they want, spend what they want, and see what they want.

This isn’t to say solo travelers shouldn’t take their safety seriously. “Solo travel is definitely about getting to know yourself,” Simone says, “and trusting your intuition.” Travelers of color, queer people, and women on their own may be targets for scammers , endure catcalls , and encounter racism and other forms of bigotry. Still, travel experts say the potential for negative incidents shouldn’t deter those who hope to travel alone from doing so. With no one else to depend on, solo travelers must take extra care while planning a trip, navigating around new locations, and interacting with new people. Seasoned independent adventurers offer their best advice for staying safe, yet open to new experiences.

How should I prepare to travel by myself?

Regardless if you’re traveling to the next town over to attend a concert by yourself or you’re hopping on an international flight, you need to be prepared for what awaits you. The farther you venture from home, though, the greater the opportunity for cultural miscommunications and misinterpretations. “You’re not going to read every situation correctly, because you’re in another culture,” says Janice Waugh, the publisher of the website Solo Traveler , “whether you’re from Kansas and going to New York or New York to Kansas.”

Do some Googling to see whether your proposed destination has any travel advisories and whether there are any laws that would make your visiting unsafe. But keep in mind that countries are vast places and while one city or province may not be amenable to tourists, that doesn’t mean the entire country is unsafe for a solo traveler.

Research which neighborhoods are near restaurants, parks, public transportation, or other areas that interest you. Can you walk from place to place? Is your hostel located near all of the sites you want to visit?

Try to identify various local communities on Instagram in your proposed destination — say, a yoga club if you’re into yoga, or a queer social club — and reach out to members for recommendations on what to do and where to stay, says travel writer Bani Amor . Amor also suggests solo travel Facebook groups where you can find intel on various businesses and locals to meet up with.

Familiarize yourself with popular tourist scams, Simone says, so you don’t unknowingly get into what you believe is a taxi at the airport and are grossly overcharged. “It’s usually a very easy Google search,” she says. “What are the common scams in Morocco? What are the common scams in London? What are the common scams in Bangkok?”

When booking flights or other transportation, Waugh recommends arriving during daylight so you can get your bearings. While you’re coordinating your transit, make a plan for how you’ll get to your lodgings, says writer and travel expert Jessica Nabongo . Especially after a long flight where you may be tired and disoriented, knowing how you’ll get out of the airport is crucial. Nabongo is a fan of booking a car service, but for cheaper options, research the public transportation options from the airport. The app Rome2Rio provides a variety of routes, from subway and bus to train and car.

As a good rule of thumb for all travelers, Simone recommends a few crucial travel accessories: locks for your luggage and backpacks , and a portable door lock for hotel and hostel rooms. She also suggests an RFID-blocking wallet to prevent new-age pickpockets from using sensors to steal your data without having to even steal your wallet. A low-profile money belt that you can wear under your clothes helps keep your money close and out of sight.

If you’re traveling to a location where you don’t speak the language, try to learn a few phrases, Amor says, just in case you need to ask for directions or read signs on public transportation.

Before you leave for the airport, train station, or bus stop, or get in a car, tell a few friends and family members where you will be. You can even share your location with a contact in your iPhone or via Gmail on Android and Google Maps (you can always turn this off once you’re home). Someone should always know where in the world you are.

Where is a safe place to stay as a solo traveler?

Travel experts sing the praises of all forms of lodging: hostels, hotels, Airbnb , staying with a friend of a friend. The main consideration is your budget. Hostels will be the cheapest option since you’ll share a room and bathroom with other travelers. However, this is a great opportunity to meet other people, some of whom may also be on their own. “I always like to suggest that people who have never traveled solo stay at a hostel, because hostels are built for solo travelers,” Simone says. “They’re always going to have tours going on you can sign up for.” Remember to always keep your items secure and locked.

For a slightly more expensive option, Amor suggests a private room at a hostel. You’ll have a door that locks and won’t need to share a bathroom.

Hotels and Airbnbs will be the costliest places to stay. “I like the amenities,” Nabongo says. “I like having breakfast and my gym. And I like having a concierge, so I can ask, ‘What should I do? Where should I eat?’”

Take advantage of the staff and hosts wherever you stay, experts say. These people are often locals and are familiar with where you’re visiting. They can provide tour recommendations, directions, and places to avoid.

Before booking, Waugh suggests looking at the lodging’s location on Google Maps’ street view. “Make sure that the area looks like it’s active, that it’s well-maintained, and that you’re going to feel safe,” she says.

You can always tap your network, Amor says, and ask if anyone has a trustworthy friend who might be willing to let you crash. “Before I book anything, anywhere, I’m going online to my social network and I’m being like, ‘Who has got a place? Who has a friend of a friend?” they say. “If I’m a part of a radical community or a punk community, then I know we have some sort of ethos that is very mutual aid [focused].”

No matter where you stay, write the address in a note on your phone or mark the location on Google Maps so you always can find your home base.

How do I meet other people? Is that even safe?

While there’s nothing wrong with enjoying your own company, solo travel gives adventurers the opportunity to meet new people. Group tours and Airbnb Experiences are great ways to mingle with other travelers. Opt to sit at the bar if you can since you’ll be better positioned to chat with other patrons and the bartender. These new connections might invite you to other events they have planned, Simone says, and give you strength in numbers. “You have to be open-minded and you have to be willing to say yes to things,” she says.

Try searching for clubs or social groups that align with your interests, Nabongo says. In major cities, there’s a good chance you can find a manga lovers group, beer runners, or a poetry reading event.

However, always keep these interactions in a public place, Waugh says: a cafe, a park, a museum, a store, historical sites. Simone and Waugh caution against going out by yourself at night unless you’re with an organized group like a bar crawl. Don’t tell anyone where you’re staying either, even if they ask. You can give a general location, like “on the other side of town,” and then keep the conversation moving, Waugh says.

Because different cultures have varying social norms around the appropriateness of certain comments or questions — what one culture considers a compliment may seem creepy to a person from a different background — you may be caught off-guard by offhand remarks. Sometimes cab drivers, for instance, might make comments about the way you look, misgender you, or ask intrusive questions. You don’t need to lie or justify who you are to a stranger, but keep the details to a minimum if you’re not comfortable. “Sometimes they’re just hitting on you, and … not everyone who’s hitting on you wants to abuse you,” Amor says. “But sometimes, it’s not fucking safe. I’ve never lied about having a boyfriend or a husband, but I usually just say ‘no.’”

Should a stranger become persistent in getting you alone, by offering to give you a ride or to veer off a marked hiking trail, consider that a red flag, Amor says. Don’t go anywhere private by yourself with someone you just met, be wary of people who are insistent you make a decision immediately (about whether you’ll join them on a day trip, for example), and don’t worry about being rude. “One thing a lot of us are trained to do is just to be nice,” they say. “You really have to put your foot down at some point.”

Continue using whatever metric you use at home to suss out new connections. If you get a weird feeling from a super-persistent person sitting next to you at the bar, signal to the bartender for assistance, move to another seat, or leave. “If you feel suddenly under threat,” Waugh says, “you just yell.”

Just as there are nefarious people wherever you go, there are kind and curious people, too. You have the opportunity to transform a local’s weeknight dinner into a charming memory. Be open to new connections, Nabongo says, and don’t assume everyone is out to harm you.

What do I do if I get sick or need help?

There are plenty of things that can go wrong when traveling, from the mundane — like getting lost — to the more serious, such as needing medical assistance. With no one else to rely on in a pinch, you may need to outsource help. For logistical issues, like asking for directions or inquiring how to purchase public transit passes, walk into a store and ask an employee or approach a family for assistance, Waugh says.

Waugh also recommends travel insurance , which covers medical expenses should you unexpectedly get sick or injured and need to be hospitalized. (Travel insurance also covers lost luggage and missed connecting flights .) In countries that have universal health care , a visit to a doctor or emergency room is generally cheaper than in the US, but travel insurance can cover the cost of evacuating you to a location where you can get appropriate care if you’re, say, in a remote area. The local US embassy or consulate office can also help you find a medical provider.

For less dire illnesses, local pharmacies are great resources, Waugh says. When she sprained her ankle in France a few years ago, she took an Uber ride to a nearby pharmacy, where employees helped her make an appointment with a specialist.

If you’re a victim of a crime overseas, contact the nearest US embassy or consulate ; they can replace a stolen passport, inform your family, and provide information about local points of contact or organizations familiar with that country’s laws. Involving police may not be helpful or even safe, so it’s up to you whether you want to file a police report if you’re involved in a crime, both stateside and internationally.

Although it’s important to be prepared for potential snafus, fear of the unknown should not hinder your experience. Millions of people live in traveler destinations — many by themselves — and don’t feel threatened by their hometowns. “In particular for women, society puts so much fear into us that I think is completely unwarranted,” Nabongo says. “The world is not as scary as they want us to believe it is.”

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Solo Traveler

Solo travel tips, destinations, stories... the source for those who travel alone.

The Ultimate Solo Travel Guide: Travel Alone & Love It

January 4, 2024 by Janice Waugh

image, solo traveler, travel alone and love it

What is solo travel? After 15 years of traveling solo, I've concluded that it is two things. Solo travel can be done independently or on a group tour. Essentially, solo travel is when you leave behind everyone you know and embark on a trip. Independent solo travel is when you plan and navigate the travel yourself. Group solo travel is when you join a tour or cruise alone. Both provide the unique experience of exploring the world without family and friends who have expectations of you. It's about discovering who you are when no one (that you know) is looking.

Traveling alone delivers access to the world in ways that other forms of travel don't. It is an essential mode of travel, at least some of the time.

However, not everyone takes to it naturally. Some worry about traveling solo. There are concerns around loneliness, safety, and more.

While we have hundreds of articles on the site that get into the details of how to travel solo, here, in one place, is the ultimate guide for those who want to travel alone. The tips in this post will help you have the best experience possible. They will help you travel alone and love it.

If you are traveling independently, read on.

If you plan to go on an organized tour, don't miss our page of tours with no or low single supplement . It's updated at least once a month and if you'd like to receive it via email you can sign up here .

Table of Contents

Why You Will Love Solo Travel

When you travel alone, you travel on your terms. You get to do what you want, when you want. You can connect with people if you wish or avoid them completely. Those are the obvious benefits for going solo as a traveler.

But there are many benefits of solo travel that affect your whole life. The experience encourages you to stretch and grow as a person. You gain confidence and get better at problem solving. You understand yourself better, become more independent, and become a more interesting person.

For more, read Why Travel Solo? 15 Reasons Going Alone Makes Travel Better . Now, let's get on to the ultimate solo travel guide.

image, solo traveler takeing cooking class

Your Guide for Planning to Travel Alone

Planning a solo trip takes a bit of time and thought. To cover everything, this would be an extremely long article. Instead, I'm pointing you to some of the basic planning posts on Solo Traveler. There over 600 posts on Solo Traveler. This just takes you to the ones that cover the fundamentals.

Solo Travel Planning Guide with Trends, a Checklist, and Insider Tips
Solo Travel Safety: 50+ Proven Tips to Keep You Safe
Carry-On Packing List That Makes Sense: Traveler Tested
Best Accommodation for Solo Travelers
A Complete Guide to Travel Insurance for Solo Travelers
Eating Alone Is Easy When You Know How

Ultimate Tips to Travel Alone and Love It!

Let's get into the experience of traveling alone.

For some people, enjoying a solo trip comes naturally. Others have to work at how to travel alone. Most who do, fall in love with it. Here are a few things you can do to ensure a great solo adventure.

1. Visualize the trip you want. It's all about you.

Start thinking about the opportunities that are present when you travel alone long before you leave. Is it down time you really want? Build that into the plan. Are you after a creative travel experience ? Research the opportunities before you go and then dream on them until you get there.

2. Gather firsthand knowledge before you go. Personal stories tell you more.

Talk to people who have already traveled to your destination. Doing this was so incredibly helpful when planning my trip to Patagonia. At the time, no amount of research helped me plan the logistics. Talking to people who had made a similar trip gave me insight into the travel options and tips on how to avoid the mistakes they had made. Use your social network to find people. Join online meetup groups based in your destination. Find expat groups at your destination. By talking to people you will learn more about things to do as well as things that are not really for you.

3. Learn to chat with strangers.

Starting conversations with strangers can be a challenge, especially when you're an introvert like I am. However, these conversations can be trip-changing, if not life-changing. There are many skills that can be developed for this and one is never too old to learn them. In fact, it was only when traveling alone after my husband passed away that I learned how much I had grown and taken on the techniques of an extrovert. I learned that I could talk to strangers easily.

4. Tap the experience of the people you meet. Get current information.

As a solo traveler, you'll meet more travelers and locals than those who travel with a partner. Ask a traveler about the best thing they've done so far or a local for the best hidden gem restaurant in the area. The people you meet and the advice they offer will greatly enrich your trip.

5. Be flexible with your plans. Opportunities arise!

When suggestions or opportunities arise from these chance encounters, be flexible enough to act on them. There are times when flexibility must reign and the schedule should be thrown away. I do this most often on road or rail trips.

6. Don't over-plan. You will absolutely need relaxing time.

Managing your travels yourself takes more energy than if you are with someone else. It is important to have extra time in your itinerary to wander a market leisurely, linger over a coffee at an outdoor café, or take that trip into the mountains you hadn't considered.

7. Be patient. Take time to settle in and learn how the city works.

It can be difficult arriving in a new city alone. Take your time. Take a day to relax, watch the city function, and settle in. Read Solo Travel Confidence: How to Be Strong, Capable, and Safe .

8. Explore your destination at different levels. Gain different perspectives.

In London, it's natural to take the Tube. However, riding on the top of a double-decker bus gives you another perspective on the city. But you still wouldn't want to miss the Tube as it's an experience unto itself. My point is, explore the city in as many ways as possible: on foot, by bicycle, via public transit. Take a taxi and talk to the driver. Rent a car and learn what it's like to park or drive on the opposite side of the road. Every mode of movement offers new perspectives.

9. Take in local events. Get to know the daily life of a culture.

Whether it's a street festival or a sporting event, these are opportunities to rub shoulders with locals, offering insight into the culture and, potentially, fun conversations. Events made for tourism will not be as successful for this as events created by and for locals.

10. Be proactive if you’re unsure of yourself.

Ask for help. Standing around looking dazed will not get you where you want to go and it may get you noticed by the wrong people. Go ahead, smile, and ask for help. It's one of the fundamentals of staying safe as you travel solo .

11. Eat locally! Discover the culture through food.

There is nothing like exploring the local cuisine. It gives you a new path into your destination's culture, history, and geography. There is always a reason, historical or geographic, for a specific cuisine that can be explored through your tastebuds and your mind.

12. Shop where the locals shop.

Are you into home renovations? Then a hardware store in another country could be quite interesting. Are you a foodie? Go to the grocery store or the street where all the specialty vendors are located. Are you into fashion or interior decorating? Again, explore (you don't have to buy) where the locals shop.

13. Know which way is up. An old-school map is your friend.

Study a map of your destination. Get to know it. Get a sense of direction using major landmarks like Central Park in New York City or the CN Tower in Toronto. This will help you explore cities happily, with greater confidence. Read How to Navigate a New City Solo .

13. Find people who share your passion.

Whether it's chess or poetry or badminton or books, there will be hubs or groups that share your passion at your destination. Many destinations have an English bookstore which is typically a great resource for events you will want to attend. Google search or find them on meetup.com. What a great way to combine your love of travel with your love of other things.

14. Take day tours and classes.

There are many benefits to punctuating your independent trip with local tours such as cooking classes . You have new ways to better experience your destination, enjoy some social time (after all, solo travelers are not necessarily loners), and you get to take a break and let the tour company run the logistics and planning of the experience.

15. Have great evenings out.

Just because you're traveling solo doesn't mean you have to stay in at night with a book. There are many options for things to do in the evening. If you're in a country where you don't speak the language, music is a good bet. Read What to Do at Night When Traveling Alone and How to Enjoy Going to a Bar Alone When You Travel .

What If You Don't Love Solo Travel?

Let's face it, not everyone likes the same thing. Some people will travel alone and, for one reason or another, not enjoy it.

The first thing I suggest is that you be patient. You're not going to find your solo travel groove on the first day of your first trip. You need to give yourself some time to settle into your destination and apply some of the many travel alone tips above.

If, then, you're still not loving it, read What If You Travel and You Don’t Love It ? and the advice of other solo travelers in Feeling Overwhelmed? How to Conquer First-Day Solo Travel Anxiety .

Round Out Your Guide to Solo Travel with These Resources

Here are a few posts to explore to help you plan your best solo trip.

How to Save Money for Travel
How to Plan Your Travel Budget: Luxury or Frugal
Best Solo Travel Destinations: Real Solo Travelers Love These
Feeling the Pinch? Solo Travelers Save Money at The Airport
How to Get Through an Airport by Yourself with Ease
Carry On Packing List That Makes Sense: Traveler Tested
Checked Baggage: Top Planning and Packing Tips.
Best VPN for Travel: What, Why, How & New Recommendations
Road Trip Alone with Confidence: 10 Tips for a Great Trip

Sharing is caring!

Publisher Janice: info @ solotravelerworld.com

Editor Tracey: tracey @ solotravelerworld.com

Sales Simon: simon @ solotravelerworld.com

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The content of Solo Traveler and any resources published by Solo Traveler are meant for entertainment and inspiration only. Please note that while we have advertising clients promoting destinations, products, services, trips and tours on Solo Traveler and that we endeavour to only work with companies in which we have confidence, we are not responsible for the delivery or quality of their products or services. Every person and every travel situation is different. Your safety, satisfaction and fun traveling solo are your responsibility alone and not that of Solo Traveler, its publisher, editor and/or writers.

PRIVACY POLICY & DISCLOSURE: In accordance with FTC guidelines, I disclose that I may be compensated if consumers choose to utilize links located throughout the content on this site. Additionally, some posts might be sponsored to support this site. Please do the appropriate research before participating in any third party offers. All opinions are my own. Please read our full Privacy Policy here.

How-to Guides

Fishing Alone: The Ultimate Guide

Fishing can be a relaxing and fun experience. You can either carry it out with a group or by yourself. If you are not used to fishing alone, you can read through this guide to give you a better idea of things to consider, what to avoid and why it can be fun.

Things to Consider

There are several factors that you must consider and keep in mind when it comes to fishing alone. Let’s take a look at some of these in detail.

You must ensure that you gather all the necessary supplies in advance. This can leave you with sufficient time to buy or include additional things in case you forget about them.

For instance, you should carry enough fishing rods so that you have one or two other backups in case your main rod stops working suddenly. Additionally, you should carry a device that can work even if you go further away. It should have GPS on it to help you keep track of your location while also being able to contact someone in case you need to.

Author Note: Carry a good meal, a life jacket, buckets or coolers, bait and any other fishing gear that you need.

Once you manage to gather all your supplies, start packing them into your car a day or two before your fishing trip. This will give you enough time to prepare without rushing on the day of the trip.

Fishing alone can be intimidating, especially if it’s the first time for you. Packing everything safely and in advance can make the process easier.

You should also keep all the equipment in their cases or cover them up in a way that they will not break on your car ride to your boat or fishing location.

A good idea would be to prepare a list beforehand and set everything up on time.

Most likely, you will need a fishing license in your state to start fishing. Make sure you go through all the laws in place about this process and get your license ahead of time so that you can establish the application process, approval and receipt of the license without too much of a hassle.

Author Note: This can also allow you to keep some time aside in case the process gets delayed. You will also need to prepare the required documents for your application.

Each state might have slightly different processes, laws and rules regarding the license and fishing itself, so make sure you go through these thoroughly.

It is important to keep yourself safe throughout the fishing process, especially since you are fishing alone. Make sure you wear a suitable life jacket at all times in case the waves get too rocky and you topple over.

Different fishing techniques also require different safety measures, making it necessary for you to be aware of all the specific details involved.

A good idea would be to carry a first aid kit in case you injure yourself or experience fish bites or stings. You should also let people know where you are going for your solo fishing trip.

Determine the location of your fishing trip well in advance and stick to it. This can allow you to inform people of your decision so that they know how to reach you in case of an emergency.

Another important aspect of this involves researching the location beforehand so that you can get a better idea about the water depths, the kinds of fish available, the quantity, rules involved for the specific location and more.

This can be a great way to know what to expect and determine if there is something specific you should carry depending on the specific location.

Skill Level

It is essential to figure out your skill level when it comes to fishing . For instance, if you are just a beginner, then fishing alone might not be a good idea for you at the moment.

On the other hand, if you have managed to gain enough group experience and feel confident enough to fish by yourself, then fishing alone might work well for you as long as you prepare yourself enough.

Author Note: You should also know how to deal with all kinds of equipment, such as setting up your fishing rod , tying knots, netting, storing fish and more. You can also practice earlier on so that you can fish well.

Ensure that you check the conditions of your fishing location beforehand so that you do not get caught by surprise by stormy or dangerous weather. While it might not be possible to determine this with maximum accuracy, it will certainly give you an idea of the equipment you should carry and the clothes you should wear.

You should also check the flow of the stream or lake that you plan on going to. This can give you an idea about the conditions of the fish as well. You can also ask local fishers or shops to help you out.

You must maintain appropriate fishing etiquette throughout your journey. It is important to keep an appropriate distance from other people around and avoid stealing while also maintaining friendly behavior.

There might also be specific rules and regulations depending on the state or location you fish in. Make sure you check those out thoroughly so that you do not end up getting into any kind of trouble.

It is also important to select an appropriate technique while only going with what you can manage.

Things to Avoid

There are certain things you should avoid while fishing alone. Let’s take a look at some of these.

Do not fish alone if you are intoxicated. This can not only put you at risk of major injury but can also lead to legal issues.
Do not deal with fish that are too big for you to handle by yourself in your boat. This can cause you to topple over.
Do not risk going on your solo fishing trip in case there is a storm or strong waves.
In case you come across any dangerous parts in your journey, do not continue fishing, but try to go back to the shore or bank if you are out in your boat .
Do not wear flimsy clothing on your fishing trip.
Do not get into fights with fellow fishers, if any.
If you are not aware of certain techniques or regulations, do not try to use them on your trip.

Joys and Benefits of Fishing Alone

Once you figure out how the process of fishing alone works, you will be able to experience its joys and benefits to the fullest so that you can have an overall satisfying experience.

Some benefits include the following:

It can give you some time alone that is quiet and relaxing.
You can go out into nature and experience the thrill of fishing.
You can learn new techniques and gain experience as you go along.
You can discover new places each time you go fishing.
You can catch some great fish that you can then use for a great meal.

Is it better to fish alone or in a group?

It entirely depends on your own preferences and skills to help you figure out whether it is better to fish alone or in a group. If you enjoy being around people and spending time in a group, then you can stick to that each time.

If, however, you like to spend time alone and also have enough experience to fish alone, then this can be a good experience for you while also letting you learn new things and catch different kinds of fish.

Avoid fishing alone if you are not too confident or aware of the rules involved in the process.

When is the best time to fish alone?

The best time to fish depends on several factors such as the weather conditions and the time of the day. Depending on the kind of fish you want to catch and where you want to go, you can check out the timings beforehand to figure out something that works for you.

Some fish might thrive in the cold while some might be more active during warmer weather. Make sure you are aware of these details before you go fishing.

There might also be fewer people early in the mornings or later at night. You can also ask experts to help you out.

Final Thoughts

That brings us to the end of this guide. Through it, we have tried to elaborate on all the necessary information you should know about fishing alone.

We not only took you through all the important things you should keep in mind and prepare for your solo fishing trip but also told you what to avoid, the benefits and joys of fishing alone as well as a brief look into whether you should fish alone or in a group.

Make sure you go through all these details so that you know what to expect. Carry out your own research and make yourself aware of the laws. Have fun!

Happy Hunting!

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Home » How To Travel With a Fish – By Plane, Car, Train or Bus

How To Travel With a Fish – By Plane, Car, Train or Bus

It is an unusual predicament when you must learn how to travel with a fish. Fish are very fragile and do not transport easily. However, there are instances when pet owners must travel, relocate, or move to another home. It is important to take the proper measures to ensure fish safety—whether traveling by car or plane.

There are a few essential things to consider when learning how to travel with a fish. First, as a soft guideline, fish can survive in a plastic transport bag for up to 7 to 9 hours. It is difficult to provide a clear safety timeframe because many factors come into play. For example, the size of the bag, the air and water temperature, and how airtight the bag’s seal is can all influence fish safety.

How to Travel With a Fish

Below are five essential guidelines to take when traveling with a fish:

Fish can travel for about 48 hours before you risk their survival.
Do not feed your fish for 24 to 48 hours before traveling.
Depending on your mode of transportation, use plastic bags or clean plastic containers (the best ones are listed below).
Fill the leakproof/airtight transport container 1/3 full using tank water, not tap water. Leave 2/3 of the bag/container empty. The remaining space will supply supplemental oxygen.
Keeping your fish in a dark place causes less stress because fish are inactive at night.

Below, we’ll discuss how to travel with a fish by car and by plane.

Preparing Fish For Travel

Before you travel, avoid feeding your fish for 24 to 48 hours to prevent contaminating the transport water. Depending on the species, fish can survive for about two to three days without food , however, much of it depends on the underlying health of the fish. Do not feel the need to open the bag and add food. Remember, a fish should be the last item you pack and the first thing you unpack.

How to Pack a Pet Fish

The length of the journey and whether the fish will travel by car or plane will dictate how it should be packed. Also, if traveling internationally, you will need to figure out the customs laws before departing.

Traveling With Fish By Plane

The TSA offers some guidance on how to travel with a fish. TSA regulations allow for live fish to board planes after security inspection for domestic flights. Fish must be placed in a clear, spill-proof container . Fish are not permitted in checked luggage. Before your flight, it is advisable to contact your specific airline to see if there are any special requirements for fish travel.

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Generally, the TSA agent will inspect the bag or container to check that the fish is alive and swimming. If this is the case, they will know that the fluid is water and not any dangerous or flammable liquid. As fish are not a common travel item, allow yourself extra time before your flight to allow for the inspection. There is no limit on the amount of fish as indicated by the TSA tweets below.

Spill-Proof Container

While it is possible to bring special airtight bags made to transport fish on flights, we don’t recommend doing this. The safest way to bring a pet fish on a plane is with this clear Rubbermaid tall plastic spill-proof container . Once the fish is placed inside of the clear container, place the fish in this small insulated bag —when you reach security, simply take the clear container out of the insulated bag.

For longer journeys, be sure to bring this small ladle to add oxygen to the water by aerating it⁠—ladle the water from the container and raise it about six inches, and slowly pour it back into the aquarium. Also, if any time during the journey your fish is spending an abnormal amount of time near the surface this most likely indicates that there is not enough oxygen in the water—begin the aerating process as stated above.

Finally, attach this thermometer to the clear container to track the temperature. Depending on the length of the journey, it may be worth considering options to adjust the temperature through the use of instant hot/cold packs .

Boarding the Plane

Upon boarding, situate the fish in a place where there will be the least amount of movement. For example, the fish can be placed under the seat in front of you, on your lap, or inside the overhead bin. Moreover, you may consider bringing a travel blanket to cover the container to prevent anxiety or to protect it from sitting on too cold or hot surfaces.

Rules are different for international flights due to customs regulations. You will need to check the rules for importing and exporting fish for each country’s airport security that you pass through.

Read : 5 Ways to Occupy Your Pet While Waiting for a Flight

Traveling With Fish by Car

The main difference between traveling with fish by car versus plane is that it doesn’t need to be in a clear see-through container. When traveling by car, the temperature will be the most important factor when transporting your fish. To clarify, great fluctuations in water and air temperature can be harmful to aquatic pets.

For short distances or only a couple of hours, a special plastic bag made to transport fish will work. It is best to double bag the fish and secure the top with a rubber band to prevent water leakage.

However, the best and safest method for vehicle transport is to place your pet fish in a bag or container and then into a hard insulated cooler to prevent temperature fluctuations. Place the cooler on a flat surface in the vehicle. Keep the fish in the cabin of the car, where your ventilation system regulates the temperature.

Any live plants should also be bagged with tank water to protect the natural bacteria and attempt to keep the tank’s conditions as similar as possible.

How to Travel With a Fish by Bus or Train

Currently, pet fish are not allowed on Greyhound or Flixbus , or Amtrack trains . Greyhound and Flixbus only allow service animals onto their buses.

Amtrack, on the other hand, will allow cats and dogs up to 20 pounds (combined weight of pet and carrier) on most routes lasting no more than seven hours. Pet fish are not allowed on Amtrack, however, all service animals are allowed. While a pet fish may be considered a comfort animal, unfortunately, Greyhound, Flixbus, and Amtrack do not designate emotional support animals as service animals.

Fish Supplies Needed for Traveling

Other than the bags, coolers, containers, and blankets listed above, if you want to be extra cautious you may want to consider adding pure oxygen to the water. Pure oxygen can be added to the plastic bag or container although some fish owners claim it is hard to find in retail shops. You should contact your local pet supply store or veterinarian before pursuing this route as both too little and too much oxygen can be harmful to fish.

For larger aquariums, the best option is to use a new 5-gallon utility plastic bucket . Fish don’t need a lot of room but it should be enough for them to move around comfortably.

Only fill the container with 1/3 water from the tank and leave the remaining space open for oxygen. Do not use tap water. Use water from the top of the tank where it is the cleanest and free from feces that sink and carry harmful bacteria.

Rocks or any objects should not be placed into the container with the fish. Do not place multiple fish into one bag or container as each fish needs its sack. For fish with sharp fins, a clean plastic container could also be used for sturdy transport.

Lastly, keeping the fish in a dark state will be less stressful because fish are inactive at night. Cover the container with a dark sheet or travel blanket to simulate evening hours.

Arriving at Your Destination

Upon arrival, taking care of your fish should be the priority. If the fish were transported in plastic bags, place the bag on top of the tank water. Allow the temperature of the bag to regulate to the temperature of the tank. However, if the fish is in a container or bucket it should first be placed into a bag and then put into the tank where it can acclimate. Finally, if the tank is empty, the water from the bag, container, or bucket can be poured directly into the tank.

Safe travels!

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Best Places to Travel Solo | Money

Traveling exposes us to new places, cultures and people. For many, it’s one of the great joys of life. If you’re an independent spirit looking for safe places to travel by yourself, our guide can be an excellent place to start your research.

Keep reading to learn about our top picks for the best places to travel alone and how to make the most of your trip.

Our Top Picks for Best Places to Travel Solo

Barcelona, Spain: Best for first-time solo travelers
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam: Best for solo backpacking
Montreal, Canada: Best for solo female travelers
Chicago, Illinois: Best for going on solo travel tours
Ljubljana, Slovenia: Best budget solo travel destination

Best Places to Travel Solo Reviews

Best for first-time solo travelers: barcelona, spain.

Offers many travel experiences in a single city
Easy to get around town without a car
Year-round good weather means you can visit in any season
More expensive than other options on our list
Can get very busy during popular travel times

Why we chose it : Barcelona is a beautiful and historic European city with something for everyone to enjoy. It boasts stunning gothic architecture, sandy beaches, a bustling nightlife and prices that will help you stretch your budget.

Spain is considerably affordable compared to other European countries, and Barcelona is its crown jewel. The city has roots tracing back to the end of the 1st century BCE and beautiful architecture throughout its winding streets, such as Gaudí’s Casa Batlló and his world-famous unfinished church, La Sagrada Familia.

If you tire of exploring Barcelona’s impressive history, gorgeous Barceloneta Beach is just a few minutes away from the city center. And at night, you’ll find plenty of entertainment options, from rooftop bars and clubs to concert venues and flamenco shows.

Barcelona is excellent for first-time solo travelers because its compact layout, wide sidewalks and excellent public transportation makes getting around town without a car a breeze. U.S. travelers can also visit for up to 90 days without a visa . However, Barcelona is more expensive than other options on our list and can be very busy during popular travel times.

Best for solo backpacking: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Very affordable accommodations, food and attractions
Is easy to navigate, with a developed transportation system
Has a vibrant expat community
U.S. citizens need a tourist visa to visit Vietnam

Why we chose it : Ho Chi Minh City is a bustling and affordable city that offers a wide range of attractions for solo travelers, from inexpensive food and accommodations to an abundance of cultural and historical sites.

Visiting Ho Chi Minh City has become something of a bucket-list item for many backpackers. Its vibrant culture, friendly people and amazing food attract millions of tourists annually. And it’s also one of Vietnam’s safest cities .

Try some of the mouth-watering street food available in pretty much every corner of the city (especially Districts 1, 3 and 5), do some shopping at the Ben Thanh Market, visit the Notre Dame Cathedral or book a tour of the Mekong Delta to learn more about the local flora and fauna.

Getting around is also pretty easy, with many transportation options, from the new metro to buses, taxis and motorbikes. However, one thing to keep in mind is that U.S. citizens need to apply for a Visa before they can be granted entry into Vietnam.

Best for solo female travelers: Montreal, Canada

Very safe and walkable city
Visitors can stay for up to six months without a Visa
Toronto is only five hours away by direct train
Not a great option for budget travelers
The winter weather can be harsh

Why we chose it : Montreal is one of the safest cities in Canada, and it is only a short flight away for travelers from the U.S. The city has a vibrant art scene, a diverse population and plenty of old-world charm with its mix of classic and modern architecture.

Traveling solo as a woman might cause your loved ones some anxiety. But Montreal is a great place for women to travel alone. The city is safe and offers much to do, from beautiful architecture, such as Notre-Dame Basilica, to artisanal shopping in Old Montreal. And while the population is predominantly French-speaking, many residents also speak English, so you should have no problem communicating.

Visitors from the United States can stay in Montreal for up to six months without a visa. It’s also a good point of departure for exploring the rest of Canada. Trains depart for Toronto several times a day, and the trip is about five hours.

Accommodations in Montreal can be more expensive than in other international destinations, but enrolling in the best hotel rewards programs may help.

Best for going on solo travel tours: Chicago, Illinois

You can find many different types of guided tours
Has an excellent public transportation system
One of the best culinary destinations in the U.S.
Weather can be unpleasant if you visit at the wrong time

Why we chose it : Chicago is home to some of the best travel tours in the country. From river cruises to walking food and drink excursions, you’ll have no problem filling your time in the Windy City.

Chicago is one of the best places to travel in the U.S. It’s home to a wide variety of guided tours, covering everything from the city’s mob history to its architecture and natural landmarks. And if you love Chicago dogs or deep-dish pizza, you can take a walking food tour to enjoy some of the city’s best restaurants in a single day.

Chicago is also home to inspiring architecture, such as Willis Tower and Cloud Gate in Millennium Park. The city is a more affordable place to visit than other U.S. cities of its size, including San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York. And if you visit in summer, you’ll have perfect weather for relaxing on the beaches of Lake Michigan, located in the heart of the city.

Depending on what you’re looking for, visiting the city between May and October could be your best bet, as winters can be very cold, with average temperatures ranging between 22 F and 37 F.

Best budget solo travel destination: Ljubljana, Slovenia

A highly affordable travel destination
Easy entrance requirements for U.S. citizens
Classic European architecture and dining options
Plenty of green spaces to lounge and relax
Doesn't have a strong nightlife culture
Crowds can be overwhelming during peak travel seasons

Why we chose it : Slovenia is one of the most affordable European countries, and Ljubljana is one of the country’s most beautiful destinations. It’s home to classic European cobblestone streets and its stunning architecture and exhibits can keep you busy for weeks without breaking your budget.

Ljubljana is an affordable European destination with beautiful green spaces and incredible architecture, including the Ljubljana Castle and the Robba Fountain. It’s also highly walkable and pedestrian-friendly, as car traffic is banned in the city center.

Hotels are cheaper here than in more popular destinations such as France or Italy, which is a big reason why Ljubljana is one of the best international places to travel . There are also many great affordable restaurants and open-air cafes.

U.S. citizens can remain in Slovenia for up to 90 days without a visa, making it easy to extend their stay with the money they save.

However, Ljubljana is not known for its nightlife, as many bars close earlier than elsewhere in Europe. Plus, it has become more popular in recent years, and crowds are abundant during peak seasons, especially the summer.

Other places to travel solo we considered

We compiled our list of the best places to travel alone by evaluating global destinations based on safety, affordability, cultural and historical sites and convenience, among other factors.

Although the following destinations didn’t make it into our top list, they’re still worth considering as you plan your travels.

Reykjavik, Iceland

Close to beautiful natural landmarks
It's possible to see the Northern Lights when conditions allow
Home to many museums and several Michelin-starred restaurants
More expensive than other popular travel destinations
The region's weather can be bleak
Long periods of darkness and sunlight can interfere with your sleep schedule

Reykjavik is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, with stunning mountains and beaches everywhere you look. However, it’s an expensive destination and experiences prolonged periods of darkness and sunlight that may be difficult to adjust to.

Some of the best food in South America
Miles of beautiful coastline to explore
Friendly locals - many of whom speak at least some English
Travelers can suffer from altitude sickness in some popular attractions
The city is sprawling, which can increase travel times and make traffic worse

Lima is a beautiful South American destination with picturesque beaches and affordable accommodations. It’s also a foodie’s dream, with a wide variety of tasty local and international restaurants available at budget-friendly prices.

Just remember that traffic congestions are common and can make it hard to get around. Additionally, some travelers may experience altitude sickness in high-altitude locations like Cusco and Machu Picchu.

Knoxville, Tennessee

Has beautiful outdoor settings
Minimal traffic
Moderate prices for accommodations
There isn't as much to do in Knoxville as in other travel destinations
Public transportation options are limited

Knoxville is the third-largest city in Tennessee, but it maintains a small-town feel. It’s home to beautiful attractions, such as the Great Smoky Mountains and the World’s Fair Park, and has enough cultural exhibits and museums to keep you busy.

Nevertheless, there isn’t quite as much to do here as in other cities, and public transportation is comparatively limited.

Places to Travel Solo Guide

Traveling alone can be intimidating, but a little preparation can go a long way. This guide covers some of the best travel tips to help you plan your next solo trip.

Why travel solo?

As with everything, there are pros and cons to traveling alone.

Some of the benefits of solo travel include:

The ability to plan trips according to your schedule
Paying less for dining and experiences
Stepping out of your comfort zone and getting to know yourself better
Having more time to reflect and relax in peace

Of course, to enjoy your solo vacation to the fullest, practice general safety precautions. Be aware of your surroundings at all times, do some proper research before visiting new places and consider hiring a guide if you’re doing outdoor activities in remote locations.

How to travel alone

Traveling alone can be a wonderful experience. But it often requires more planning and initiative than group trips. The following tips for traveling alone should help you make the most of your next solo trip.

Research your travel destination extensively

The more research you do before visiting a destination, the more prepared you will be to enjoy it. Pay close attention to the following:

Climate : Be aware of the weather conditions at your destination to avoid potential hazards, pack the right gear and plan appropriate activities.
Top attractions : Plan your itinerary by mapping out the attractions you want to visit and checking their distance from your accommodations. This will help you create a realistic schedule and determine if you need to book transportation for any day trips.
Cost : Consider the average cost of accommodations, meals and attractions to create a realistic budget.
Public transportation : This is an important consideration, as visiting a destination with insufficient or unreliable public transportation translates into additional expenses.
Language barrier : Consider downloading translation apps or learning basic phrases in your destination’s native language if English isn’t widely spoken there.
Food : If you have any dietary restrictions, check the availability of suitable food options at your destination and plan your meals.

Stay connected with your friends and family

When traveling alone, keep your loved ones informed of where you’ll be and what you’ll be doing. That way, your family can call for help if they don’t hear back from you in a reasonable timeframe.

Depending on your destination, you may consider purchasing an international SIM card or an international phone plan with your existing carrier to text and call your people back home.

Finally, you can register your trip with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) through the U.S. State Department. STEP is a free service that allows you to receive automatic safety and travel updates from the U.S. embassy in the country you’re visiting. It also makes it easier for friends and family to reach you in an emergency.

Consider travel insurance

If you’ve spent quite a bit of money on non-refundable travel expenses and it hasn’t been that long since you made your initial trip deposit, consider travel insurance to safeguard your investment. A travel insurance policy can help you recoup a portion of pre-paid travel expenses if you cancel or interrupt your trip for a covered reason.

Travel medical insurance could also be worthwhile if you’re going on an extended trip, as it would cover some of your medical expenses in an emergency, including medical evacuation and repatriation. And some plans even include additional services like language support, which could be helpful if English isn’t widely spoken where you’re visiting.

If this sounds like something you’re interested in, check out our guide to the best travel insurance companies .

Try new things

Now that we’ve covered some of the most important things to do before leaving for a solo trip, let’s explore how to get as much enjoyment out of your travels as possible while you’re there. The best advice we can give you is to get out of your comfort zone and try new things.

If you genuinely want to experience everything other cultures have to offer, you can’t spend your days doing the same things you do at home. So take a chance and live as the locals do. You’ll be happy you did.

Interact with the locals

The best way to forget you’re traveling alone is to befriend the locals. Your new friends can keep you company, guide you to the best places in town (the ones that aren’t in any tourist guides) and help to make your trip more enjoyable overall.

Meeting locals is much easier to do now than before the Internet. A wide variety of online resources can connect you to local events and groups where you can meet people. Some of the best options for this include:

Facebook expat groups for the destination you’re visiting
The subreddit for your destination (such as r/Paris and r/Chicago)

Some professional and religious groups may have international meetups as well. This can be a fantastic way to meet locals with whom you already have something in common.

Take plenty of pictures (with you in them)

Last but not least, make sure you take plenty of pictures to share with your people back home. Landmarks can be great, but you should also be in some of the photos. Most people will happily snap pictures of you if you ask nicely.

What to do when traveling alone

Traveling alone can be one of the best experiences of your life or a challenge that quickly loses its appeal. To give yourself the best chance of having an ideal trip, remember the following strategies during your travels:

Be flexible : Flexibility is a must for solo travelers. You’ll have more fun if you take advantage of chance encounters and throw away your schedule when necessary.
Take group tours and classes : Just because you arrive at your destination alone doesn’t mean you must spend every minute there alone. Group tours and classes will help you meet people and give you a chance to socialize when you’re feeling lonely.
Stay in places that encourage talking : If you’re concerned about feeling lonely, consider staying at a hostel or bed and breakfast. Shared accommodations like these are more affordable than the best hotels and can be a great way to meet people.
Gather first-hand advice : You can use Reddit and other resources to read about the experiences other solo travelers have had at your destination. These firsthand accounts can alert you to problems you may not have considered otherwise and new opportunities for fun.
Sign up for free rewards programs : Airlines , hotel chains and third-party booking sites often have reward programs that help you save money if you’re a frequent traveler. You may also want to look into the best airline credit cards and best travel credit cards if you plan on traveling alone regularly.
Prioritize your safety : Traveling alone can make you a target, so prioritizing safety is important. Be proactive about telling others where you’ll be and take yourself out of situations you feel unsure about to enjoy your trip without incident.

Staying safe is a critical consideration for solo travelers. One way to do that is by avoiding reckless behavior, such as drinking excessively and venturing alone into places locals deem unsafe.

Take the time to thoroughly research your destination, share your travel plans with friends and family and prepare an emergency plan.

Finally, consider travel insurance. If something does happen while you’re traveling alone, it will provide financial support so you can go to the hospital without worrying about breaking your budget.

You could save up enough money to make the cost of travel insurance negligible by signing up for one of the best airline rewards programs .

Places to Travel Solo FAQ

What are the safest places to travel alone, is solo female travel safe, how old do you have to be to travel alone, how we chose the best places to travel solo.

We evaluated the best places to travel solo based on the following criteria:

Cost of accommodations, experiences and meals
Crime rates
Reviews and guides from experienced solo travelers
Natural and cultural attractions
Strictness of entry criteria

Summary of Money’s Best Places to Travel Solo

This article originally appeared on Money.com and may contain affiliate links for which Money receives compensation. Opinions expressed in this article are the author's alone, not those of a third-party entity, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed. Offers may be subject to change without notice. For more information, read Money’s full disclaimer .

2024 Masters Round 1 recap: Leaderboard, how Tiger Woods did, highlights

Editor's note: Follow live coverage of the Masters, leaderboard, highlights and more.

Day 1 of the 2024 Masters has blown by.

Bryson DeChambeau holds the lead with a score of minus-7 after completing all 18 holes on Thursday. It’s his career-best round at Augusta. The world’s top-ranked golfer, Scottie Scheffler, sits in second one stroke behind after finishing his first round.

Tiger Woods is in one of nine groups that didn’t finish first-round play. There was a weather delay, which pushed back start times. The five-time Masters champion has a score of minus-1 and is tied for 17th. He, Jason Day and Max Homa made it through hole No. 13 before the alarm sounded that darkness was starting to descend.

2016 Masters champion Danny Willett finished the round with a score of minus-4 in his return from shoulder surgery. Last year’s champion, Jon Rahm, has a score of plus-1. — Victoria Hernandez

MORE: Masters leaderboard

Who is leading at the Masters 2024?

American Bryson DeChambeau is atop the leaderboard after the first round of the 2024 Masters. DeChambeau, who has one major win to his resume, finished the day with eight birdies and only one bogey for -7 on the day. DeChambeau joined LIV Golf in June 2022 and is one of 13 in the field at the Masters this year. He’s in pursuit of his first green jacket — his best showing was at the 2016 Masters when he finished tied for 21st place.

DeChambeau only has a one stroke lead over fellow American Scottie Scheffler (-6), who sits in second place. Denmark’s Nicolai Højgaard (-5) is in third place and has the potential to climb up the leaderboard. He only completed 15 holes in round one before play was suspended due to darkness. Højgaard will resume play on the first round on Friday. — Cydney Henderson

What did Tiger Woods shoot today?

Tiger Woods got off to a good start at the 2024 Masters. He shot minus-1 through 13 holes before play was suspended at Augusta National due to darkness. He will resume the first round at 7:50 a.m. ET on Friday morning.

The 15-time major winner showed power on the day, reaching up to 180 MPH ball speed on several drives. He also had several clutch saves during the round, including a precise chip shot out of the bunker on the 10th hole to stay under par on the day. So far, he’s shot two birdies and one bogey.

Woods has won the Masters five times his career, most recently in 2019. — Cydney Henderson

Round 1 suspended due to darkness

Play during Round 1 of the Masters was suspended at 7:51 p.m. ET at Augusta National Golf Club.

Subpar weather conditions at Augusta National caused a two-and-a-half-hour delay Thursday. The first tee time, which was originally scheduled for 8 a.m. ET, was moved to 10:30 a.m.

The first round will resume on Friday at 7:50 a.m. ET. Among the golfers still on the course when Round 1 play was suspended were Nicolai Højgaard (-5 through 15 holes), Max Homa (-4 through 13), Tyrrell Hatton (-3 through 14) and Tiger Woods (-1 through 13).

Round 2 play will begin at 8 a.m. ET on Friday. — Jim Reineking

Bryson DeChambeau leading Masters using 3-D printed irons only approved by USGA on Monday

AUGUSTA, Ga. — The Mad Scientist is at it again.

Bryson DeChambeau, who opened with a 7-under 65 in the first round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club, is playing with a custom set of single-length irons made by little-known clubmaker Avoda that are made by 3-D printing and weren’t approved by the USGA until Monday . With no hesitation, DeChambeau inserted them in the bag at the Masters. — Adam Schupak , Golfweek

Wyndham Clark carded 1-over in his first competitive round at Augusta National.

Wyndham Clark takes shot at LIV golf when asked about Masters leader Bryson DeChambeau

When asked if an 8-shot deficit to leader — and LIV golfer — Bryson DeChambeau is insurmountable , Clark brushed off the suggestion.

“We've got 54 holes,” the reigning U.S. Open champion said . “In LIV Golf they only play 54, so I like my chances.” — Doug Stutsman, Special to the Augusta Chronicle

Tiger Woods finishes day one under par after 13 holes

The 13th hole (par 5) threatened to end Woods’ streak of eight consecutive holes at par or under. He teed off a 295-yard drive with 173 MPH ball speed that ended up in the rough behind a line of trees. He took a moment to strategize how he was going to avoid hitting any trees that surrounded him and ultimately decided to play it conservatively with a low straight shot that found the fairway. He landed on the green his next stroke and two-putted the ball in to save par. He finished the day at minus-1 through 13 holes. — Cydney Henderson

Nicolai Højgaard moves up leaderboard

Nicolai Højgaard sits in third place on the leaderboard, behind Bryson DeChambeau (minus-7) and Scottie Scheffler (minus-6) after 15 holes of play.

Højgaard vaulted up the leaderboard after birdies on four of five holes on the back nine. After birdying holes Nos. 11-13, Højgaard bogeyed No. 14 and then rebounded with a birdie on No. 15.

Both DeChambeau and Scheffler have completed Round 1. — Jim Reineking

Tiger Woods saves par on No. 12, stays under par

Woods teed off at the 12th hole (Par 3, 150 yards) with a seven iron and overshot the green, ending up in the rough at the back of the hole. The ball was positioned near a sprinkler head, so Woods had to awkwardly get into position for his second stroke, but he was able to make clean contact with the ball despite the debris. He gently chipped the ball on the green and knocked down the putt to save par. He’s at minus-1. — Cydney Henderson

Drip check: Jason Day rocks hammer pants that wave in the wind

A weather delay pushed back tee times on Thursday and the wind continued to push Jason Day’s pants around.

The Australian golfer, who is in the same group as Tiger Woods, was a trending topic on X, formerly Twitter, for his oversized pants that flapped in the wind. Fans compared Day to rap icon MC Hammer , who was known for his parachute pants, or implied that perhaps the golfer was trying to pay homage to a younger Woods .

Day is currently tied for 31st place with an even score through 10 holes. — Victoria Hernandez

Tiger Woods pars No. 11, still at minus-1

Welcome back to Amen’s Corner, Tiger.

Woods drove the ball 300 yards up the fairway with a ball speed of 174 MPH to open up the 11th hole, the start of Amen’s Corner, a stretch of three holes at the Masters that is considered to be particularly difficult. According to the ESPN broadcast, the 11th hole (par 4, 530 yards) is the second toughest hole on the course today.

As Woods approached his second shot, the wind howled before he dropped the ball right in front of the green. His next shot was a work of art. He chipped the ball inches away from the hole to a lot of applause from the crowd and tapped it in for a par. He remains at minus-1. — Cydney Henderson

Tiger Woods on back nine, still at one under par

Woods started the 10th hole (par 4, 495 yards) out strong with a 306-yard drive down the fairway, but he missed to the right on his next stroke and landed in the bunker. Woods was not satisfied with his shot, rolling his eyes and taking a swipe at the grass with his club afterward, but he rebounded nicely. Woods executed a chip shot to get out of the bunker and set himself up for a routine putt for par. He remains at minus-1 through 10 holes. — Cydney Henderson

Tiger Woods shows he can still drive the ball

Tiger Woods still has power. At the ninth hole, Woods teed off on a 303-yard drive with a 177 MPH ball speed to set him up for a birdie attempt.

Although he had an opportunity to climb up the leaderboard, Woods’ putt for birdie lost steam uphill against the wind. Woods is at minus-1 at the halfway point. He had two birdies and one bogey in the first nine holes. — Cydney Henderson

Rory McIlroy finishes up-and-down Round 1

Rory McIlroy finished the first round at Augusta National tied for 15th place at 1 under par after a roller coaster of a day.

McIlroy, a four-time majors winner who has yet to win the Masters, got off to a rough start and bogeyed two of the first four holes. He proceed to right the ship, however, and shot four birdies to bring him to minus-2 heading into the 17th hole. Then, disaster struck and McIlroy shot his third bogey of the round and finished at minus-1 on the day. — Cydney Henderson

Scottie Scheffler finishes first round alone in second

Scottie Scheffler put on a show in his attempt for his second green jacket. The top-ranked player in the world finished his first round at the Masters with a score of -6 with 66 strokes through all 18 holes. He had six birdies, including one on hole No. 16 to bring him within one stroke of leader Bryson DeChambeau. Scheffler won the 2022 Masters. — Victoria Hernandez

Tiger Woods picks up birdie, gets back under par

Tiger Woods is back under par after picking up a birdie on hole No. 8, which the ESPN broadcasters dubbed the “easiest hole on the golf course today” at Par-5 and 570 yards.

Woods opened the hole by launching a 307-yard drive down the right side of the fairway with a ball speed at 180 MPH. He landed on the green with his next stroke and two-putted the ball in for his second birdie of the day. He’s tied in 15th place at -1 through eight holes. — Cydney Henderson

Scottie Scheffler moves closer to lead with birdie

Top-ranked Scottie Scheffler is showing his skills and lingering at the top of the leaderboard.

He shot a birdie on hole No. 16 to come within one stroke of leader Bryson DeChambeau. Scheffler smacked a drive where the ball landed squarely on the green. He then easily tapped in the putt to score two strokes on the par-three hole.

His score of -6 stands alone in second place. - Victoria Hernandez

Tiger Woods scores par on No. 7

Tiger Woods is staying consistent and scored par on hole No 7. He tapped a short putt on the fourth stroke of the hole to finish it off. He’s scored par on five of his holes so far with a birdie and a bogey. His even score is tied for 29th place. - Victoria Hernandez

Tiger Woods even through six holes

Tiger Woods' putt on the sixth hole was bad. He left the uphill effort well short. That’s not the kind of effort we’re used to seeing from the 15-time major champion. He converted from 5 feet out for par, so no harm no foul. - Adam Woodard, Golfweek

Patrick Cantlay nails eagle after early struggles

Patrick Cantlay joined in on the fun by scoring the Masters' third eagle of the day.

On his second stroke of the No. 17 hole with 146 yards to go, he smacked the ball and it bounced on the green before casually rolling into the cup. He cracked a little smile and fist bumped his competitors.

Cantlay has shot three birdies and four bogeys in the first round. The eagle brought him to a score of -1. - Victoria Hernandez

Tiger Woods hits bogey

Tiger Woods is back at even par after a tough time on hole No. 4. With the ball sitting on the edge of the green, the five-time champion analyzed his shot. He took the putt and tapped the ball just beyond the cup.

He then marked his spot while Jason Day finished his hole with two putts and Max Homa took his two shots. Woods then finished with a little tap for a bogey. - Victoria Hernandez

Will Zalatoris scores eagle on hole No. 13

Will Zalatoris is keeping the competition fierce and scored an eagle on hole No. 13. He boosted a drive on the 197-yard, par-five hole and the ball landed firmly on the green. He then tapped a putt to finish in three strokes.

The American now has a score of -3 to put him in a tie for third place. - Victoria Hernandez

Tiger Woods stays in red after two holes

Tiger Woods made par on hole No. 2. He finished the parfive hole with a short putt that rolled smoothly into the cup. His score remains -1 after he hit a birdie on his first hole.

Bryson DeChambeau finishes first round with lead

Bryson DeChambeau has finished his first round at Augusta. He completed the 18 holes with a score of -7 and 65 strokes, including eight birdies. The score puts him three strokes ahead of three second-place golfers. It’s his career best round at the Masters.

"I felt like I placed the golf ball in the right place today," he told ESPN. "I didn’t put myself into too many poor spots. I got a couple good breaks, but for the most part, I rolled it well, drove it well, hit my irons pretty well and took advantage when the opportunity presented itself."

Viktor Hovland moves up to second with three consecutive birdies

Viktor Hovland came to play. He is tied for second with a score of -4 after shooting three consecutive birdies on holes No. 7, 8 and 9. He also had a score under par on hole No. 2.

Hovland finished tied for seventh at last year’s Masters, his best finish so far at Augusta. - Victoria Hernandez

Tiger Woods tees off to much fanfare

Tiger Woods teed off at Augusta at 3:54 p.m. ET. He was met with loud applause when he was announced ahead of his first stroke at hole No. 1. Wearing a pink polo, he lined up for a swing and smacked the ball cleanly. The crowd cheered again when it fell on the fairway.

He finished the hole with a birdie.

Jason Day and Max Homa are in the same group as the five-time Masters champion. - Victoria Hernandez

Danny Willett finishes impressive first round in return from injury

Danny Willett’s quest to capture a second green jacket is going swimmingly so far.

The 2016 Masters champion finished the first round with a score of -4 totaling 68 strokes and is tied for second. His birdie on hole No.1 was the field’s first hole under par for the tournament. This is his first competition since September when he had shoulder surgery. - Victoria Hernandez

Bryson DeChambeau takes Masters lead

Ryan Fox had been leading the Masters through the afternoon, but Bryson DeChambeau reclaimed the spot at the top of the leaderboard.

He had a birdie on hole No. 15 to make his score -5 and separate himself from Fox. It was his sixth birdie of the day. He shot 2 under par at the three holes that make up Amen Corner. - Victoria Hernandez

Scottie Scheffler wows with birdie

Top-ranked Scottie Scheffler offered some excitement on hole No. 6. He took a moment to line up for a mid-range putt on the green, his second shot on the hole. He gave the ball a gentle tap and it rolled smoothly across the green and dropped into the cup.

It’s his second birdie of the day. He also made it on the second hole.

His -2 score ties him for fourth. - Victoria Hernandez

Will Zalatoris chips in shot to save par

Will Zalatoris kept his score in the negative when he made a chip shot at hole No. 5.

The ball was sitting on the fairway just outside the green. Zalatoris lined up and perfectly smacked it to dribble on the green and plunk into the hole.

He is tied for eighth with a score of -1. - Victoria Hernandez

Justin Thomas barely misses putt

Hole No. 5 is proving tricky for the field today.

Justin Thomas is the latest to struggle on the hole. The ball was sitting on the green and he lined up for a putt, which would be his fourth stroke for par. He tapped the ball and it glided just next to the cup. The crowd groaned with Thomas at the missed shot. He then tapped the ball in for a bogey.

Thomas now has an even score through five holes. He is tied for 18th on the leaderboard.

Ryan Fox is in the lead at -5 through nine holes. - Victoria Hernandez

Masters leaderboard: Ryan Fox's eagle gives him lead at 5 under

An eagle on the par-5 eighth hole has given New Zealand's Ryan Fox the outright lead in the opening round of the Masters.

Fox birdied his first three holes of the day to grab a share of the lead, but after a run of four consecutive pars, he carded the first eagle of the tournament to move to 5-under on his round.

Fox, 37, tied for 26th at last year's Masters, his first appearance at Augusta and made the cut in all four major championships in 2023.

Erik van Rooyen and Byeong Hun An are tied for second at 4-under. — Steve Gardner

Tiger Woods at Masters

Follow every single Tiger Woods shot during the Masters here .

Woods is scheduled to tee off at 3:54 p.m. ET, along with Jason Day and Max Homa.

Masters leaderboard: Christo Lamprecht joins the top

One of the tallest competitors in Masters history, amateur Christo Lamprecht has grabbed a share of the lead.

The 23-year-old South African hit a nearly perfect tee shot on the par-3 sixth hole that left him with a putt shorter than his 6-8 height, which he converted for one of his three birdies on the front nine.

Lamprecht won the British Amateur last year and was the low amateur at the 2023 British Open. Born in South Africa, he's currently a senior at Georgia Tech. — Steve Gardner

Erik van Rooyen continues solid start

Making his third Masters appearance, Erik van Rooyen is making the most of it.

Van Rooyen, who was part of the first pair to tee off, is in a four-way tie for the lead at 3 under as he hits the turn.

The South Africa native has two wins on the PGA Tour, but his highest finish in a major was in 2019 when he tied for eighth at the PGA Championship at Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, New York. — Casey Moore

Masters leaderboard: Ryan Fox, Byeong Hun An join Bryson DeChambeau

New Zealand's Ryan Fox matched Bryson DeChambeau's sizzling start with birdies on his first three holes to share the early lead.

Fox, 37, tied for 26th at last year's Masters, his first appearance at Augusta. The DP World Tour player of the year in 2022, Fox made the cut in all four major championships in 2023.

Not to be outdone, Korea's Byeong Hun An also birdied his first three holes to grab a share of the lead. — Steve Gardner

Masters forecast at Augusta

The storm front that forced a 2 1/2-hour delay in starting first-round play at Augusta National has given way to sunshine and breezy conditions with the arrival of the noon hour.

The wind is expected to gust up to 40 mph during the course of the day, making it more difficult for players with afternoon tee times.

Among the more prominent names who will have to deal with those conditions: defending champion Jon Rahm (1 p.m. start), 2022 winner Scottie Scheffler (1:12) and five-time champ Tiger Woods (3:54). — Steve Gardner

Bryson DeChambeau birdies first three holes

2020 U.S. Open Bryson DeChambeau is off to a scorching hot start, making birdies on each of his first three holes to take over the lead at Augusta.

Erik van Rooyen is still at 2 under after seven holes, good enough for second place. Danny Willett, who birdied two of the first three holes, bogeyed No. 5 to fall into a pack tied for third at 1 under.

Getting ready to tee off next is Phil Mickelson, Sepp Straka and Tony Finau.

Masters leaders: Willett, van Rooyen tied at 2 under

England's Danny Willett and South Africa's Erik van Rooyen each have a pair of birdies on their scorecards in the early going at Augusta National.

They share the lead at 2-under par.

Van Rooyen, in the day's first pairing off the tee, birdied the third and sixth holes.

Willett, the 2016 Masters champ, had his birdies on No. 1 and No. 3. — Steve Gardner

Updated Masters live TV coverage

ESPN will have live broadcast coverage of Thursday's opening round from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. ET.

ESPN+ will also have live streaming coverage ., as well as Paramount+ and Fubo .

In addition, live streaming coverage can also be found on the Masters website , beginning at 11:15 a.m. with several different viewing options:

Holes 4, 5 & 6
Featured groups (and Featured Group Plus)
Amen Corner
Holes 15 & 16

Jake Knapp bogeys No. 4

The four-way tie for the much-too-early-to-discuss leaderboard has become a three-way tie.

Jake Knapp turned in a bogey on hole No. 4, which leaves Erik van Rooyen, Taylor Moore and Danny Willett at the top with 1 under par.

Knapp is now even with six other golfers on the course. Luke List is 1 over after 1 hole and Austin Eckroat is 2 over after two. — Casey Moore

Danny Willett gets first birdie at 2024 Masters

And the first birdie of the opening round of the 2024 Masters goes to … Danny Willett.

The 2016 Masters champion knocked in a 25-foot birdie on the opening hole of his round to take the early lead. Willett missed the cut in last year's Masters.

Jake Knapp and Erik van Rooyen (on No. 3) and Taylor Moore (No. 2) also added birdies on their scorecards to tie Willett for the very early lead. — Steve Gardner

Pars all around

Jose Maria Olazabel, Taylor Moore and amateur Santiago de la Fuente joined Erik van Rooyen and Jake Knapp with pars on hole No. 1. The next group rolling is is Danny Willett, Austin Eckroat and Stephan Jaeger, followed at 11:06 a.m. ET by Charl Schwartzel, Luke List and amateur Christo Lamprecht. — Casey Moore

Masters 2024 underway

With delayed anticipation, Erik van Rooyen (South Africa) and Jake Knapp (United States) have gotten this Masters going.

Both players safely completed the opening hole with pars on the 445-yard par 4.

Next up: Jose Maria Olazabel, Taylor Moore and amateur Santiago de la Fuente will tee off at 10:42 a.m. ET. — Casey Moore

Masters honorary starters tee off

Let the game begin!

Augusta National chairperson Fred Ridley took the first tee promptly at 10:10 a.m. ET and introduced the three honorary starters: Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson.

As Ridley pointed out, the trio combined for 11 Masters victories and 140 appearances across six decades. — Casey Moore

Masters Round 1 start time

The first round of the Masters has been delayed until 10:30 a.m. ET on Thursday due to weather . The original start time was 8 a.m., with Erik van Rooyen and Jake Knapp the first pairing.

What time does Tiger Woods tee off at the Masters?

Tiger Woods will start his Masters at 3:54 p.m. ET. Woods, who was originally scheduled to tee off at 1:24 p.m., is paired up with Jason Day of Australia and fellow American Max Homa.

Masters tee times Round 1

Here is every updated tee time and pairing for round 1 of the Masters . These will be updated when possible.

Masters live stream

For cord-cutters, select focuses of the Masters will be available on Paramount+ and ESPN+ over the four-day event. Cord-cutters can also turn to Fubo, which carries CBS and ESPN.

Masters odds

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler is the pre-tournament favorite to win the title at Augusta National, potentially adding a second green jacket to his collection. Here’s the complete list of Masters 2024 odds .

Scottie Scheffler: +400
Rory McIlroy: +1000
Jon Rahm: +1200
Xander Schauffele: +1400
Brooks Koepka: +2000
Hideki Matsuyama: +2000

List of LIV players in Masters 2024

Thirteen golfers from the LIV Golf circuit are set to compete in the Masters Tournament this year. They are: Bryson DeChambeau, Sergio García, Tyrell Hatton, Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Adrian Meronk, Phil Mickelson, Joaquín Niemann, Jon Rahm, Patrick Reed, Charl Schwartzel, Cameron Smith and Bubba Watson.

Masters 2024 announcers

ESPN will feature a veteran team of hosts and analysts for its coverage of this year's tournament. Jim Nantz makes his return for CBS as does Verne Lundquist , who will be calling his final Masters.

Here are the broadcasters for the 2024 Masters .

Augusta National course map

Check out this complete Augusta National course map for the 2024 Masters Tournament.

Augusta National hole-by-hole guide

Here's everything you need to know about all 18 holes of the Masters at Augusta National .

History of Green Jacket at Masters

The Green Jacket awarded to the Masters champion each year is one of the most iconic symbols in sports. The tradition dates back to the founding of Augusta National Golf Club when it was decided that members should wear brightly colored blazers at the 1937 Masters so that patrons would know who to ask if they needed assistance.

Read more about the Green Jacket's history here. — Steve Gardner

We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.

IMAGES

Can Goldfish Live Alone? (And Do Goldfish Get Lonely?)
Do Betta Fish Like To Be Alone? All You Need To Know
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Catch fish alone in the river
a lucky day, catch all the giant fish, survival alone

COMMENTS

Solo Swimmers: Fish Species That Thrive Living Alone
The Solitary Cichlid. Like a lone wolf in the aquatic world, the solitary Cichlid thrives independently and can be an ideal pet for those who wish to focus on one fish at a time. These fascinating creatures captivate the hearts of many experienced fish keepers with their unique personalities and engaging behaviors.
Caring For Your Fish While You're On Vacation
Things may be different if you have a small tank and you're going on vacation for longer than a few days. In this case a partial water change might not be enough. You might need to do a 50-100% water change, especially if you keep sensitive fish like Bettas. It all depends on the size of your tank and your livestock.
Vacation and Holiday Fish Care and Feeding
The simplest option for feeding is to use vacation feeders. They are available in 2-day (weekend), 7-day, and 14-day sizes. There are two basic types: one where the food is embedded in a calcium block, and the other style has the food in a gel. In each case, the block gradually dissolves in the water, releasing food particles for the fish to ...
Why Do Fish School Together?
Why Fish Swim in Schools. First and foremost, schools protect fish from their enemies. It's the same rule our mothers taught us as youngsters, always stay in a group because there is safety in numbers. Predators find it far easier to chase down and gobble up a fish swimming all alone rather than trying to cut out a single fish from a huge group.
How to Feed Fish While On Vacation: 5 Options
The age, water temperature and species of fish are the most important factors to consider when evaluating the length of time they can be left alone without any preparation. Fish age: Newly hatched fish may need to be fed 3-8 times per day with a high protein diet, according to Dr. Rosenbloom. While older, less active fish may benefit from ...
Do Fish Travel In Groups?
One of the main reasons why fish travel in groups is safety. Fish that travel alone are more vulnerable to predators, and are more likely to be attacked or eaten. By traveling in groups, fish can reduce their risk of predation, as predators are less likely to target a large group of fish than a single individual.
26 Aquarium Fish That Like To Be Alone
Betta. These are the best aquarium fish to keep to themselves. Because they are fighters, they cannot coexist with other types of fish. They do, however, do well when paired with other Betta fish. Betta fish show more colors when left alone. The best thing about them is how simple they are to maintain. For oxygen supply, you can keep a small ...
The Secrets of Schooling Fish
Researcher Iain Couzin is shedding light on how thousands of fish can instantly and seamlessly synchronize their movements - a phenomenon that has implications for marine conservation. Written by Ian Evans. Published on Aug. 30, 2017. Read time Approx. 6 minutes. A school of koheru off New Zealand.
Science Says Fish Should Stay in School!
Science Says Fish Should Stay in School! Article. Hemelrijk, CK, DAP Reid, H Hildenbrandt, and JT Paddling. 2015. Increased swimming efficiency of fish swimming in a school. Fish and Fisheries, 16:511-521. doi: 10.1111/faf.12072. Background. Schooling. Some species of fish swim together in large social groups called schools for several reasons.
How to Care for Aquarium Fish While on Vacation
Method 2: Set up an Auto Feeder. If your situation fits one of those special cases, then an automatic fish food dispenser is your best friend. Load the feeder with flakes or pellets, program what times you want it to feed each day, and mount it on the rim of the aquarium. Make sure to test the feeder several days before your departure to ...
When Moving Tropical Fish, How Should They Be Transported? (Steps
Here are four important steps to ensure their safety during the move: 1. Remove any delicate or fragile decorations from the tank and wrap them individually in bubble wrap or soft cloth. 2. Place the wrapped objects in a sturdy box or container, making sure they are well-padded to prevent damage. 3.
How To Feed And Care for Betta Fish When On Vacation
But remember that your fish needs more than food to survive in their tank. Water changes are necessary for any Betta. Most tanks need to be changed around once a week, sometimes more if your tank is smaller. And filters and other tank devices need to be properly maintained as well. So really, you do not want to leave your fish alone for too long.
7 Tips for a Successful Solo Fishing Trip
If the bottom is slippery, also consider bringing along a single trekking pole or grabbing a long stick for support. Having the extra leg will make sketchy crossings much more manageable. 3. Tell someone your plans. It's always a good idea to let people know where you're going, as well as when you plan to be back.
4 Ways to Transport Fish
1. Place your fish in plastic bags. One way to transport your fish is to put them in plastic bags. You can get plastic fish bags from a pet store. Fill the bag a third of the way full with water from the aquarium. Then, place one fish into each plastic bag. Don't put multiple fish in the same bag.
3 Reasons Why Fish Swim in Schools
Fish gather in schools for several reasons: 1.-. Safety. Schools are conformed by thousands or hundreds of nearly identical fish who confuse predators and make it difficult to single out and attack one individual fish. An extreme but common response of schools attacked by predators is the formation of a circle.
To work out why fish swim together, tempt a predator with virtual prey
By allowing a predatory fish to hunt virtual prey, whose movements he could precisely control, Ioannou showed that coordinated groups are, indeed, less likely to be attacked. So far, so obvious ...
How to Safely Transport Fish For Short & Long Distances (Vet Answer)
Ensure your car is relatively warm for your trip. An ambient temperature of around 25-28°C (77-82.4°F) is recommended for most fish. Ensure your fish is secure in your car (it's best to have someone hold your fish's container). Drive slowly, and try to use routes without too many bumps or potholes.
You Can Help Migrating Fish Traverse a Dutch Canal By Ringing This
After enough fish are waiting, they notify the lock's operator that the gate should be opened. Nijs and van Heukelum worked with Utrecht's government and local water authorities to establish ...
The Perils of Fishing Alone (or Why You Should Fish with a Guide or a
For most of us, the more isolated and alone we are on the river, the better we perceive the experience. I heard a statistic that 80+% of anglers will not hike a mile to fish. Anglers want to park their truck, wader up, grab their rods, and be in the water. Only 5% of anglers will hike 3 or more miles to fish. For some, the idea of finding water ...
20 Pros And Cons Of Traveling Alone
#2 Pro - Flexibility With Travel Plans. Is traveling alone fun?Absolutely — and you get to choose exactly how to have fun, too. Another one of the major pros of traveling alone is having the ultimate freedom to explore destinations at your own pace without worrying about someone else's schedule. This can lead to an unforgettable once-in-a-lifetime experience that is 100% designed by and ...
How do you travel solo? Solo travel safety advice, according to experts
Beholden to no one but themselves, solo travelers can eat where they want, spend what they want, and see what they want. This isn't to say solo travelers shouldn't take their safety seriously ...
The Ultimate Solo Travel Guide: Travel Alone & Love It
As a solo traveler, you'll meet more travelers and locals than those who travel with a partner. Ask a traveler about the best thing they've done so far or a local for the best hidden gem restaurant in the area. The people you meet and the advice they offer will greatly enrich your trip. 5. Be flexible with your plans.
Fishing Alone: The Ultimate Guide
Do not fish alone if you are intoxicated. This can not only put you at risk of major injury but can also lead to legal issues. Do not deal with fish that are too big for you to handle by yourself in your boat. This can cause you to topple over. Do not risk going on your solo fishing trip in case there is a storm or strong waves.
How To Travel With a Fish
Preparing Fish For Travel. Before you travel, avoid feeding your fish for 24 to 48 hours to prevent contaminating the transport water. Depending on the species, fish can survive for about two to three days without food, however, much of it depends on the underlying health of the fish. Do not feel the need to open the bag and add food.
Best Places to Travel Solo
What to do when traveling alone. Traveling alone can be one of the best experiences of your life or a challenge that quickly loses its appeal. To give yourself the best chance of having an ideal ...
Masters 2024 highlights: Round 1 leaderboard, scoreboard, how Tiger did
2016 Masters champion Danny Willett finished the round with a score of minus-4 in his return from shoulder surgery. Last year's champion, Jon Rahm, has a score of plus-1.Victoria Hernandez

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