| Shipping Fish A list Composed by Curtis B May 28th,2004 1. Shipping fish is not difficult, but does require supplies and preparation. It usually costs at least $30 per shipment for all these supplies and shipping fees 2. Supplies needed : 2 mil shipping bags ( can get from local fish store) , some backing materials and a Styrofoam box ( you can make a DIY Styrofoam lined box. just use a normal cardboard box as your "jig" and cut Styrofoam panels to fit tightly. Then tape it up tightly so it will not leak. A heat pack, Detox / sedative drug and newspaper are also necessary. Just a note about the Styrofoam box - you might be able to pick up 1 inch thick Styrofoam sheets at a local home store or hardware store, used for insulation in homes etc, to make your box lining. You might even talk to your local fish store and ask them if they would make you a deal on shipping stuff . They get extra boxes when they order in fish. 3. Do not feed the fish 36 to 48 hours prior to shipping 4. Only fill the bag with 25% water - the rest has to be air ( not from your mouth as that is mostly CO2 but an air pump is fine - some people use compressed oxygen) 5. A sedative drug like a "Jungle Bag Buddies" is a very good addition to the bag water. A few drops of Amquel or ammo lock is also good if you do not have the Bag buddies, but I have to say that I have seen people do nearly everything wrong but use the bag buddies and the fish lived very happy and long lives. 6. You should ship only 5 very small fish per bag. Using a smaller bags (with lots of air) and shipping each fish in their own bag is better and reduces risk of ammonia buildup. Use double bag where you tie and rubber band first bag and then put another bag around that and do the same thing. For some spiny fish like Plecos this may not be adequate and triple bag necessary. For shipping shrimps you need to put some leaves or java moss in the bad for them to hold onto 7. For all cold weather shipments a heat pack is a good idea . Most of these activate now days just by opening the outer plastic wrapper. You need to keep the heat pack from touching the bags. I normally use wadded up newspaper to create a buffer between the fish and the heat pack. 8. Lay down newspaper in the bottom of the Styrofoam box. Place the bags in the box. Add Styrofoam "peanuts" or wadded newspaper around the bags to prevent sloshing and jarring. Close the lid and tape shut with good shipping tape. 9. Place the Styrofoam box in a cardboard box that you can write on an address etc. tape securely - these you can buy at shipping place like USPS, FedEx or UPS 10. Ship near beginning of week so it is not held over weekend by shipping United States Post Office Priority Mail, which takes two days for a normal trip and will be delivered to the recipients door and costs about $8 to $10 but is NOT guaranteed. Also for a small fee of under 50 cents you can get a tracking number so you can check the progress of you package on the Internet. Fed Ex will guarantee overnight in the continental USA. USPS has express mail available in certain areas with strict cutoff times but take note that they also have a "lives" fee for live animals. It is $1 per pound. UPS usually does not want to know that they are shipping live stuff. I just tell them it is aquarium decor. DHL, I have only received from one time. I have not shipped using them. One day service is obviously better than two days, but if packed right the fish do fine over two days. 11. Let the other person know exactly when you plan to ship and have them call or e-mail you when it arrives. Give them the shipping tracking number. Many shippers require a signature for speedy service. If possible, it is better for shipper to "leave at door" or have receiver "pick up" at shipping company hub. These options insure that the fish are not trapped for another night at the local shipping hub. 12. "PayPal" http://www.paypal.com is the best and most secure way to do business and most sellers do not ship until paid. You can also send money orders through snail mail. Most sellers do not stay in business long if they mess up. Word tends to get around. As a seller or buyer you should follow the golden rule " Treat others as you would like to be treated". Here is an article with pictures that can give even more details | 
