how should I ship a fish

sodapopdima · Post by **sodapopdima** » 05 Jul 2005, 12:09

Hi all, avid reader and fan of this site but I know I do not post much

Just wanted to know what the best way to ship a fish (overnight) is. It is a 2" pleco and I would like to send him soon. Will those bags from the LFS suffice, they say not to keep fish in for longer than 2hrs?

Thx to all!!

natefrog · Post by **natefrog** » 05 Jul 2005, 14:28

Use as much water as you can get away with at 50% of the bags capacity. Triple bag and ensure the bag has air under a bit a pressure. A couple of drops of "ammo-lock" may help to avoid the fish burning its skin in its own waste. Pack bubble wrap or foam padding aroung the bag with the box. Let the shipper know it is live fish, they often have stickers to lable your box and keep it in better locations for temperature and saftey.

Good Luck.

Post by **Shane** » 05 Jul 2005, 17:24

This is a frequent question and I suppose warrants an article somewhere.
I use wide mouth plastic jars or containers because they can not be squished in transit or punctured by the fish. Also avoids fish getting trapped in a corner as often happens with bags. The plastic jar is then placed in a cooler (styro will work, but a hard cooler is better). I use 1/3 water. Should be enough water that the fish stays submersed no matter what angle the jar ends up sitting. Do not feed the fish for 2 days before shipping.
-Shane

ricorn · Post by **ricorn** » 06 Jul 2005, 03:34

look at the forums at aquabid.com they recently had shipping tips and techniques. If your shipping a pleco with bags you better double or triple bag it.

sodapopdima · Post by **sodapopdima** » 06 Jul 2005, 03:41

I plan to get the large bags they got at my LFS, I will quadrouple them and add a few drops of Ammo Lock as suggested. I plan to ship overnigth and I know how to package well.

I wanted to inquire about enough oxygen, because that was my main concern. I remember during the blackout, all the LFS had some substance they added to the tanks to help oxygenate them.

Does anyone know what that is and if it's feasible to get some an duse it?

Post by **Shane** » 06 Jul 2005, 13:24

Do not add anything like this. The expanding gases may pop your bags.
-Shane

sodapopdima · Post by **sodapopdima** » 12 Jul 2005, 22:33

Thank you everyone for your advice, my fish made it safe and sound...