I was wondering how a fish can safely be shipped? I have not done it, just been reading about it here. Seems hard for the fish.

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I have 5 gorgeous guppies, two Dalmation Mollies, two Mickey Mouse Platys, 6 puffy Moss Balls and 5 tracked Nerite snails. 29 Gallon BioCube tank.

Here is a link I found useful.

How to ship live fish.

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55 Gal Planted Community Tank
50 Gal Sand Planted Bronze Cory Tank
20 Gal Planted RCS Tank
20 Gal PlantTank "Beaslbob"
20 Gal Planted RCS Tank
20 Gal Platy Breeding Tank
15 Gal Electric Blue Crayfish Breeding Tank
15 Gal Platy Breeding Tank
(3) 15 Gal Planted RCS Tanks
10 Gal Planted Golden Mystery Snail Breeding Tank
10 Gal Planted RCS Tank
10 Gal Swordtail Tank
10 Gal Endler Tank
5 Gal RCS Display Tank
4 15 Gal RCS Tanks (Waiting to stock)
2 20 Gal Longs (Waiting to stock)

The type of fish depends on how they are shipped.I can tell you how I ship my bettas.

First I like to fast the fish two days before being sent off.This ensures that a ton of waste doesnt build up in transit.They are mad about it but they get over it.

Then I take a box and line it with the foam insulation,creating a box inside the box.

The fish are then bagged,with one third water to two thirds air.With bettas this is most important as they get their air from the atmosphere,not the water.I use an air pump to fill it with air and the water is fresh water,declored of course.

You want a little play in the bag,so in case the box gets roughed up the bag doesnt pop.Then after tied off,you flip it upside down,gently and place in a second bag.This is tied off as well.The fish is placed in the box,with newspaper shreddings,peanuts whatever.

In winter time you tape a heat pack to the underside of the styro lid,loosly wrapped in newspaper as per the directions on the heatpack.

Then the box is grafittied with LIVE FISH KEEP FROM EXTREME TEMPS and THIS SIDE UP.Its then taped off really well,and off to the PO it goes.

I will note that the ENTIRE time its out,I am a nervous wreck.I cant eat or sleep right and constantly check the tracking number,lol.

Forgot to add:

It is indeed hard on the fish but if its a healthy young fish,its not so bad.The main thing that goes wrong when shipping is when the fish arrives the buyer has no clue how to open the box or acclimate the fish,which results in a very stressed out fish and possibly diseases or sudden death.

When you get the box,its most important to open it in a dimly lit room.Bright lights will stress them out,as they have been in the dark for two,maybe three days and sometimes longer.Then gently place the fish with the bagged water into a cup and drip acclimate him to your tank water.Once you have him acclimated and place him in the tank,deed lightly,but leave the light off.The next day let the lights come on and monitor him for any signs of stress.

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http://bountifulbettas.blogspot.com/

"Come to the dark side....we have cookies...and filters/heaters/and water changes!"

Thanks. I get African violets shipped a lot and I know they get josseled, so I sure worry about fish. I would love to have a couple of interesting and pretty guppies sometime. So scary to me though.

I do appreciate your explanation!!!! I will keep it for the future.

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I have 5 gorgeous guppies, two Dalmation Mollies, two Mickey Mouse Platys, 6 puffy Moss Balls and 5 tracked Nerite snails. 29 Gallon BioCube tank.

No problem.

I decided I would write a sticky on it,as I promised it to someone once before and my bags finally came in.

So here it is:How to:Ship fish

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http://bountifulbettas.blogspot.com/

"Come to the dark side....we have cookies...and filters/heaters/and water changes!"