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Shipped fish experience

1K views 5 replies 2 participants last post by  Sylverclaws 
#1 ·
So last Friday I had a fish shipped to me from a member of another forum. It was his first time shipping fish and my first time receiving a shipped fish. After much research, he gathered all the needed material and sent the package via USPS Next Day delivery. The pAckage arrived at my door within 24 hours. But my heart sank when the postman told me the package had been damaged in shipment. They had wrapped it in a big plastic bag. The box was soaked thru on one end and there was a big hole in it. Luckily the fish bag was still in it but most of the packing material had fallen out as well as one of the heat packs. The other heat pack,was still in the box but haD failed due to getting wet. My thought was that the bag had broken open and leaked all over. But it was intact. The fish was double bagged with the inner bag being covered in duct tape on the outside to help prevent leakage. Some water did leak into the outer bag, most likely thru the ties which were intact and still tight. I opened the bag expecting a dead fish since the water was so cold. First I saw no movement, then a slight twitch. She was alive! I got her into my QT tank and she sank to the bottom, gasped and twitched then laid there barely breathing. I turned off the light and let her be. An hour and a half later she's up and swimming around! Tough girl! The fish is a Paratilapia Bleekeri, about 5.5-6" and gorgeous. Her fins were a bit frayed but they are improving everyday. I caring to think about if that package had been delayed any the outcome would probably much more tragic. That bag waS close to falling out that hole in the box. Anyway, just wanted to share my experience. Couple things I learned if I ever shop a fish:
1. Duct taping the inner bag....a very good idea. And also at least double bag. Especially when shipping larger fish.
2. Pack the box tightly with packing so the bag does not move around. And use the smallest box that will fit the bag.
3. Tape the heat pack to the lid of the box and cut a hole around the Styrofoam so air can circulate. Then put a piece of fabric between the heat pack and the bag
4. Tape up all the seams on the packing box. This could hAve helped prevent anything falling out.
 
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#2 ·
Ok, now to see if my pics will load. Here's the package as I received it.
 

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#4 ·
Luuucky! And gorgeous fish!

We actually had a shipment sabotaged a few months ago. I'd ordered in six yellow lab cichlids and the box was normal on arrival. I ALWAYS film myself opening it for the sellers for any claims. Turns out it was a good idea.

He had shipped it perfectly, and even marked it as live fish....unfortunately someone had opened it up, taken one bag of four yellow lab cichlids, and cut the other one, you could see a puncture and slice in a seamless bag, leaving the other two to die horribly. That's one big risk for sure, and no matter how it's marked...accidents happen, but so does stupidity on the carriers part. Some are just jerks.

Someone on here I'd shipped some fish and crayfish to said it looked like the box had been thrown very hard and one bag had exploded, though all somehow survived the trip.
 
#5 ·
Omg that must have been horrible for you! Why would someone do that!

I'm wondering if my package was tipped up on it's end rather then set flat. The box was marked as live fish. But that third pic was exactly how I found The contents when I opened it. The one end was soaked and all the contents we're pushed to that side.
 
#6 ·
Some types of bags suck and will leak, gotta be mindful of that too.

As for why people do that? Well...seen the news lately? Some people just suck!

I have a small business, so I ship out a lot during the late Spring, Early Summer and Fall. Not much demand in hot or freezing weather. I always pad it down well with bubblewrap and paper, and also tape bubblewrap around the bag itself unless it's a breather bag...which I don't use much anymore because though seamless...sometimes they leak or burst even when not filled too much and well insulated for bumpy!

Basically it's hit or miss, and not always the sellers fault. If you don't know the seller, and even if you do, there's also always a risk of a fish being a hybrid and not mentioned, inbred, or sick! Sometimes the sellers don't notice any issues with theirs and never have had any...only for you to receive a sick fish. This is mostly due to stress weakening them on the way, allowing nasties to take hold that wouldn't otherwise.
The US Post Office is almost pure garbage the last few years. They've started intentionally damaging things, lying, losing and even stealing. It's all against the law, but unless you catch them in the act, all you can do is report them. And when you get damage, I don't care if they apologize(which they usually don't, it's nice when they do though), it's gotta be reported so they make rules more strict!
 
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