Shipping Fish

[Deniz]

Shipping Fish - how is it done? Does anyone know? How long are they in the containers, what kind of containers are they, how many of them survive/die etc..

I'm not leading an official investigation, I'm just curious. I saw it mentioned in these forums that it is cruel and would like to know more so maybe I'll understand fish a bit better and maybe even know when its a better time to buy new stock.

 

[cblin]

Fish usually are packaged in some type of chemical to calm them down and at the same time to try to reduce stress. They're packaged in styro foam to prevent large changes in temperature. In the winter, they're packaged with heat packs.

How many % and how many in a bags depends on the size of the fish. I've seen feeder goldfish that comes in 50-100 per bag.

Bettas are packaged 1 per bag for obvious reasons. You wouldn't believe how little the bags are that they come in. If you put your hands together, you can have up to 10 bags of betta. It barely comes w/ enough water to keep them alive.



Basically size of two tea bags is about the size of the bag that bettas come in.

 

[carpguy]

I think it kind of varies, but a good and reputable dealer is going to ship the fish in a bag, in a styrofoam box, with some O2 squirted in there, maybe a heat pack. Maybe a little shot of Amquel or a food free day or two before the big trip.

Its stressful and there are inevitably some casualties but if its done right its a pretty reasonable endeavor.

That's pretty much how they get to the stores as well, so I can't see how it'd be any crueler than your basic fish store purchase. If your dealing with a quality vendor and sparing your fish the unfortunate treatment found at too many LFSes its going to be less stressful.

And more expensive. I'd try to find a good quality Fish Shop and see if you can order what you're looking for from them. If they can't get what you want, shipping is a reasonable option.

 

[yhbae]

And how long can they survive in those boxes? Does everyone use over-night shipping at high cost, or will they survive the typical 1 - 2 days for express delivery?

 

[JSchmidt]

Personally, I think your best chance of survival is overnight. They might make it for more than 24 hours. Once the oxygen runs out or if ammonia gets too high, and you'll be lucky if the fish makes it.

Jim

 

[Cearbhaill]

Every fish I've had shipped in has been overnight- I wouldn't want them bagged any longer than that.
I've yet to lose a shipped fish, as well...
But then I buy only from well recommended vendors who know what they're doing.