FishRockFrogBit21
- #1
So I wanna know how to properly ship my fish. What needs to be done etc etc average cost, basically just give me your experience
They only have restrictions against dead fish, be adamant about what service you want - I tell them it is fish and inform them if they are curious about how it is packed to prevent leaks and excess heat escapes. They have nothing in their rules on live fish.Mcasella will probably be more useful than me, but this is what I did when I shipped my two corie.
I got Kordon breather bags(would probably go with regular bags if I wasn't only shipping a few), peanuts, small boxes, and prime. Fasted the tank for 2 days prior to shipping. I double bagged the Kordon and put some prime into the bag before I added the other bag. poured half the peanuts into the box, put the bag in the middle and poured the rest on top. I then taped and put the addresses on and took them to the USPS. A bit of advice, don't tell them it is a fish unless specifically asked that. The first time I had the lady say that I had to go express because its a fish. This is a completel lie for USPS. I emailed and asked, there is no such rule.
Just gonna put my two cents in, I hate USPS. Okay, not hate. But 100% would go with UPS over USPS. USPS has horrible handling in my experience.I can help a little with the shipping.
For shipping I believe the best way to go is USPS, a lot of the other ones are typically more costly and I believe when I read around USPS was generally the safest. You can either do one of the packages that has a set price or weigh and measure your box then put it into the USPS price calculator. You can drop them off at the USPS store or I believe they now take packages from your door if you schedule it, granted I don't think the latter would be the best option. Tracking wise you'll get a tracking number when you either print the label or label and send it at the post office.
Side note, DO NOT let them tell you you can't fish priority. I had the post office person tell this to me and I knew it wasn't true so I emailed the offices, there is no guidelines saying you have to ship fish a certain way. To save you the trouble don't even mention your shipping fish unless specifically asked.
It can be rather dependent on which post office is yours. A lot of different levels of how they ship fish. I’ve thankfully been blessed most of the time with good shipments and such.Just gonna put my two cents in, I hate USPS. Okay, not hate. But 100% would go with UPS over USPS. USPS has horrible handling in my experience.
I received seven wild type betta individually packed in breather bags (correctly packed breather bags - no air) that took three days to get to me. All alive and well. Would like to hear an expert tell me how this was possible.For bettas, unfortunately you have to use poly bags and can't use breather bags, so they will get sloshed around on the conveyer belts. Tape the edges of the poly bag so the fish doesn't get stuck in there.
USPS can work, but always check the arrival date beforehand. Also, I strongly recommend NOT using them anywhere near a holiday, so wait around two more weeks before using them. My 2 days priority package took over a week to arrive and my overnight package that I paid $60 to get it overnight did not arrive overnight.
UPS is the second best, in my opinion. Either way, both of them have an online calculator to check prices. You just need he box dimensions and weight. Make sure the betta is submerged if the package tips, and that 1/4-1/3 of the bag is water, the rest can be air. Make sure it is super secure and won't move, because that can minimize sloshing.
Grab a heat pack, a poly bag with the amount of water you'll need, packing materials, insulation, and throw it all in a box. Most postal scales should be able to measure it, and it should be between 1-4 pounds. Both UPS and USPS charge by the pound, and the online calculator reflects that. I would strongly recommend dropping off the package directly at the post office or UPS store and getting your receipt, just in case. For USPS the tracking number is on the label, for UPS it is on the receipt
Seriously?? That's so odd, I've never actually heard of someone successfully shipping a betta in a breather bag. Are you noticing any effects on the labyrinth organ? How often do they breathe from the air?I received seven wild type betta individually packed in breather bags (correctly packed breather bags - no air) that took three days to get to me. All alive and well. Would like to hear an expert tell me how this was possible.
When did the overnight guarantee change? When I checked their website, they said overnight was guaranteed for my package, and that was just like two weeks ago. Ugh, they're not the best anyway....USPS no longer offers guaranteed delivery dates, and does not have a true overnight service anymore. UPS and FedEx do, but cost a heck of a lot more.
Please keep in mind outside temperatures, boxes can freeze if they are left sitting around if a slower service is used, or while/when delivery is occurring. You can always ship to a hub or post office for pickup for safety.
I really think it depends a lot on where it gets routed through. I cannot get live insects shipped to my house in summer or winter as they always arrive dead. I get it shipped to my hubby's work 6 minutes away, which is on a completely different route and hub, and never have a problem.
They are perfectly fine. This was over a year ago. I was surprised when I opened the box - I was definitely not expecting breather bags! Fish came from Geiler Aquatics (now out of business) in Stanwood, WA. I have asked "fish friends" but no one knows how this is possible.Seriously?? That's so odd, I've never actually heard of someone successfully shipping a betta in a breather bag. Are you noticing any effects on the labyrinth organ? How often do they breathe from the air?
(Please let me know if this is too off topic or if it's relevant enough).