Betta transport--stress coats?

That depends - what kind of stress are you expecting to give him?

Stress Coat is just a dechlorinator (water conditioner) which also contains an ingredient intended to protect against one particular kind of physical stress - specifically, the possibility of damage to the fish's natural protective coating (slime coating) when the fish is being handled.

What water conditioner do you normally use? It may already contain a similar ingredient. There are many other dechlorinators that claim the same benefit. Check the label.

You should use Stress Coat, or a similar product, if you will have to handle the fish with a net or switch him from one tank to another. If you're just going to transport him in the tank he already lives in, it's probably not necessary. (But you should lower the water level, and take out the decorations so he won't bump up against them in transit!)

For some reason, time and again, I have talked with folks who have gotten the idea that Stress Coat is some kind of magical panacea for all kinds of mental and physical stress. For the record, it isn't. Wouldn't that be nice, though? :)

Have a fun trip!

(And, ummmmmm, also for the record, bettas do just fine in unfiltered bowls, which are actually very close to what their natural environment is like. Unlike goldfish, who really do need filtering and wide open spaces.)

nice that u care about ur beta. most pple dont respect them and putem in tiny little bowls. why are you taking it with u? well, i think he will be fine. put it in a little think that can go in the cup holder, so he wont bounce around too much. betas are tough fish that wont dies of stress as easy as others. they usually die becasue pple stick em in tiny little filterless unheated bowls