Should I use an air pump?

I think this would be a good time to ask this question with quite a few fish being transferred this weekend.
When transporting fish should I use an air pump?  Had another member state that I shouldn't use an air pump and it may cause issues so I started to second guess my thought of using an air pump so would like some additional input. 
I will be transporting a tang, about 10 inches or so, in a cooler.  He will be coming from the Quad Cities area and heading to the Des Moines area so about 4 hours of travel time along with the time spent at fall fest.  If I had to guess he will be in a cooler for about 10-12 hours.  My plan was to put an air stone in with him once we got to fall fest, so would be using an air pump for about 4-5 hours.  My concern was, with him being so large, if there would be enough oxygen for him if I didn't use an air pump.  
What are your thoughts on the use of an air pump?

 

Just want to make sure he gets to his new home safely and with as little stress as possible. 
Also, I just wanted to make sure that it won't effect any levels in the water to a point where there would be a negative impact.  I will be using an inverter and an air pump rated for up to 20 gallons. 
Still have a lot to learn on the chemistry side of this hobby.  Never know what the unintended consequences might be.

 

Posted By adampottebaum on 11/02/2010 07:59 PM
Teresa, when you said you were bringing a fish before, I assumed a small little fish, not a 10" tang! Haha, yea you might want an air pump for that big of a fish...
Is the cooler you're bringing air tight? If not, you'd want to use the air pump for the ride also. If you think it's too much oxygen, you don't have to use the air stone.
Glad you responded, you really got me thinking last night that maybe there was some effect that I didn't know about.  So I needed to double check my thought process.  Just want to make sure this big guy makes it to his new home.
ninjazx777, here is a pretty bad pic of the tang.  Would probably have helped had I cleaned the glass.  We hate to see him leave our house but we know he needs a larger system. 

 

Posted By ninjazx777 on 11/03/2010 01:36 PM
Yep I saw a smaller one at central campus and pics just don't do that fish justice the colors are more vibrant in person
Do you need me to bring anything else besides a big cooler?
That picture by no means does this guy justice.  His coloring is wonderful, so much blue.  The part you may be able to tell from the pic is his personality.  He saw the camara, came up to the top, and posed.  He may just be our favorite fish, right up there with the lions.  If we did not already have one in our 540 he would have definately went in there. 
I don't think you will need anything else unless you have an air pump to use on the way home.  We can keep him in our cooler with the air pump for as long as possible, so it would only be a couple of hours if you do not have one available for your vehicle.  I also will make sure his last meal is Friday morning so that should help with the water quality.