Mail order fish

[dd1965]

Has anyone ordered any fish from the site Liveaquaria.com? I would think the fish would be totally stressed out, if not dead by the time they arrived?

[jackiomy]

I don't know about Liveaquaria but I just, this very minute!, got my fish from Flaringshutter. The Betta is fine, the otos are a little freaky but I think they usually are. I am so happy!!!

[rainbowcharmer]

How do you think they arrive to the fish stores? They come via trucks, etc to the fish stores too and do OK.

I've heard good things about liveaquaria.com. Currently I'm awaiting a mail order from another member here of Cherry Shrimp. Fish can be surprisingly resilient. :)

[lucy42083]

I have ordered from LiveAquaria several times. Their customer service and quality of fish is excellent. Only drawback is the expensive shipping and minimum order amount. I have never had a fish arrive dead or especially stressed, and all have done quite well once acclimated to my tank. They do have an arrive alive guarantee and they guarantee the fish for 2 weeks after as well. I've had my tank set up for over a year, and I have not had one single disease yet - I know many people who buy from the LFS who have just had parasite after bacterial infection after parasite.

And yeah, just like Rainbow said, I always think it is strange that people are weary of having fish shipped by a reputable company that does it all the time -- they are shipped to the pet stores the exact same way, and to the wholesaler before that the same way, only often across oceans in a plane.

[Mgamer20o0]

fish are shipped all over the world no problem.

[Hooked Newbie]

I have ordered from LiveAquaria several times. Their customer service and quality of fish is excellent. Only drawback is the expensive shipping and minimum order amount. I have never had a fish arrive dead or especially stressed, and all have done quite well once acclimated to my tank. They do have an arrive alive guarantee and they guarantee the fish for 2 weeks after as well. I've had my tank set up for over a year, and I have not had one single disease yet - I know many people who buy from the LFS who have just had parasite after bacterial infection after parasite.

And yeah, just like Rainbow said, I always think it is strange that people are weary of having fish shipped by a reputable company that does it all the time -- they are shipped to the pet stores the exact same way, and to the wholesaler before that the same way, only often across oceans in a plane.

:iagree:

I've ordered from them and had no real issues. Shipping is expensive anytime you talk about overnight. Many (including me) have shipped fish via Priority which is much cheaper, but does offer more risk and less guarantee.

[DavidZ]

All will be Ok, follow instructions LiveAquaria provides!
If you can find a good LSF in the area.

[Dangerdoll]

I have never had a single death with liveaquaria and once, even got an extra fish...

[Eupterus]

fish are shipped all over the world no problem.

There are risks involved. Some fish do die from shipping and or get sick later from the stress of shipping.

[vanillarum]

I have ordered from LiveAquaria many, many times, and never had a problem. I have ordered fish, plants, and products from them. They are, IMO, as good as or better than most. Good luck.

[SchizotypalVamp]

but shipping also happens to be how they get to our LFSes....

[kitokatlin]

I have ordered several times from LiveAquaria.com. My fish have always arrived very well packaged and alive. My one big suggestion is that you should do a drip acclimation (instructions are included as to how to do this). Due to the stress of shipping, it can lower their immune system terribly. Keep the room dark and do a drip acclimation. It recommneds it for inverts and other sensitive species, but I noticed a big difference from the first time I got them and didn't do a drip to the next time when I did.

They have excellent customer service as well.

Acclimation guide - http://www.liveaquaria.com/PIC/article.cfm?aid=157

[dd1965]

:headbang2:Thanks all for the responses, sounds like they're the bomb!

Never really thought about where and how the LFS got theirs...... Duh!!!
:grinyes: