[Corwin12]

I got my 125 gallon tank cycled (the fishless way) and ordered some fish from Liveaquaria. I ordered cory catfish, black phantom tetras, x-ray tetras, turquoise danios, and gold barbs. I also have a brackish tank that I ordered 2 black mollies and 2 dalmation mollies for.

Although they still show as in stock, Liveaquaria advised me that the turquoise danios were unavailable. Too bad since I was looking forward to those.

I ordered them on Thursday morning and then nervously waited until I received a shipping confirmation. This did not happen until about 5:30 that night. At 5:30 AM Friday morning, the fish were in Louisville Kentucky. Normally, packages being delivered to me are on the truck for delivery by 5:00 AM.

The plane to the closest airport to me was delayed. So, long story short, it did not reach the closest UPS distribution center until about 10:30 that morning. Shortly thereafter, UPS updated the delivery date to Monday. I called them immediately and advised them that there were live fish. I offered to drive there (about 90 minutes away) to get them. UPS assured me that the package would be delivered today.

The tracking website still showed a delivery date of Monday. At about 6:30 that night, the driver who normally delivers to me showed up (whew!) He said, "This must be a very important package." He explained that a manager took the package and intercepted him mid route to get it on the truck.

UPS really came through and I am very grateful to them. Unfortunately, one of the dalmation mollies was dead on arrival. The surviving one looked very distraught. Out of curiosity, I tested the water for ammonia - the green was somewhere between the 4.0 and 8.0 ppm levels. It took me about 90 minutes to get them all acclimated to their respective tanks. They all appear to be doing very well - very lively and happy looking. The dalmation molly sprung right back to life by the next morning.

I am very happy with the quality of the fish (less the poor dead one.) But the waiting and the unknown was nerve wracking.

They offered to send a substitute for the danios if they are not ready to ship within two weeks, so I at least have to endure this one more time.

 

[Hallyx]

I know you paid for and expected overnight delivery, but this is winter after all. I'm expecting a fish from a breeder/friend to be sent later this month. We'll be sure to send it out on a Monday...Tuesday at the latest..

 

[henningc]

Well I hate to throw cold water on the experience, but it looks like I have a ready supply of cold water for you. Being a former wholesaler and commercial size breeder I can assure you nobody in their right mind ships fish during this period. UPS, FedX, the postal service all have a mandated duty to ship holiday mail and that bumps anything not labled as such. Even the major airlines have to bump cargo for this purpose. If you ship fish now you might want to pray a lot and hope they catch a flight. It would have been much better if the shipper told you of these issues and let you decide. Paying for express may get them there faster, but it will not get them there fast period. Once the package hits the ground it can sit in an unheated cargo bay for up to 48 hours before moving up in line depending on volume.

I have not purchased fish from the source you identified, but you should think long and hard about such purchases at this time of year and with the weather and all. Hope the best for the fish.

 

[rickey]

I don't/wouldn't ship during thr holiday season, just to much of a chance of the package sitting on a dock or warehouse somewhere.

R