You can successfully ship fish if you follow a couple simple procedures. Stop feeding the fish 24 hours before they are set to be shipped, fish with a full belly don't ship well. Make sure you are ready to take your fish to the post office so they are in the box the shortest amount of time possible.
Don't ship your fish in brand new water, do a water change the day before and then ship in tank water. Use the smallest bag to accomadate the fish you are shipping. The larger the bag, the more sloshing the fish will endure on his trip. Fill the bag 25-35% full, more air then water is what's important. Fill the rest of the bag with air and rubber band it tightly. You'll then want to double bag your fish by inserting the bag with the fish rubber band side first into the second bag. Then rubberband the second bag off.
Your box should consist of a styrofaom cooler, a cardboard box, and packing peanuts, newspaper, or anything the pack the bags in tightly. You'll want to add some packing material to the bottom of your cooler. Next add your bag or bags of fish and then surround them tightly with packing material so they will stay in the position for the entire time they are in the box. The last thing you want is for them to roll all over the place in transit. Cover them completely with your packing and add the styrofoam lid and tape it in place. If you are shipping in unfavorable weather conditions consider a heat pack or an ice pack. If you use one, tape it securely to the inside lid of your cooler. NEVER place it where it will have contact with your bags of fish and make sure it has plenty of material in between it and the fish. Tape your box closed well and label it with something to the extent of "LIVE FISH" or "THIS END UP" or both.
If possible ship the fish overnight, it's worth the money. I personally prefer for the person to have to sign for the box so they don't end up sitting on a person's porch all day long. Just make sure that shipper and receiver are both communicating and are aware of when the fish will arrive.
When you are recieving shipped fish you can take action to make sure they have an easy transition. Open you box in a dim lit room. These fish have been in darkness for at least 24 hours and they need to be adjusted to the light gradually. When you have your fish out of the box they need to be slowly acclimated to your own water before they are released. It may be a good idea to ask your shipper what their water looks like so you have an idea what your fish are going to have to adjust to. You'll want to either float your bags in the tank or empty the fish with water into a cup for acclimation. Add small amounts of your tank water to the bag or cup over a period of about an hour. Net the fish and add it to your tank and discard the water in the bag. It's best to keep the tank lights off while the new arrival settles in. If the fish is going into a community tank, quarantine would be best. Wait a few hours for them to settle in before offering food and you should be fine
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