bestshuyan Posted September 26, 2005 Report Share Posted September 26, 2005 Hi,everybody, I want to ship some snails and fish for my friend's birthday gift as a suprise.But I do not know how should I do,how to start,how to package the snails? How about the fish? Can someone tell me? Help!!!!!!!!!!!I am in Auckland. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pegasus Posted September 26, 2005 Report Share Posted September 26, 2005 Hi there, Lot depends of what type of fish you want to ship... eg:... Large.. Small.. Coldwater.. Tropical.. etc. Also need to know the distance being sent, and if it would be just an Overnight" delivery.. or "two days".. like some shippers take. Large fish may need to be bagged up singly.. whereas some of the smaller fish can go six to ten in a bag. Be Prepared: Do a water change the day before you intend sending the fish. This will ensure decent water for the trip.. as ammonia levels can build up quickly in the bag during the trip. Ensure that no fish waste is added to the bag if possible. If they are say.... Adult Guppies... then you could "possibly" get eight or ten to a bag (300x450 size) for an overnight trip. Use good quality fish bags if possible with the rounded corners. You would need a suitable styrene box.. plus a heat pack if the trip is a long one. Most of these "Heat Packs" generate heat when rubbed vigorously.. so avoid doing this until the very last moment before you finally seal the box. Fill the bag with approx one third water.. then insert an air line from your air pump into the neck of the bag and twist to create a seal. Allow the bag to inflate... then twist the neck of the bag some more and pull out the airline while keeping the bag fully inflated. Fold the neck of the bag over firmly and hold in position with two good strong rubber bands... MINIMUM 100mm (4") allowance for twisting and folding over. There should be no air leaks. Crumple up some newspaper and place in the styrene box, then add the bag or bags, packing each so that they can't roll around. Add the heat pad if needed, but don't lay it directly on the plastic bags.. just pack it so that the heat can circulate. Coldwater Goldfish etc: As above, but ommit the heat pack.. plus one or two fish per bag only... depending on size. Plecos... Spiney Catfish etc: Use Tupperware containers.. one third water.. two thirds air.. plus heat pack in most cases. Adult Swords.. Cichlids etc: One or two per bag.. as above.. depending on size. Adult Angels: ONE per bag always... plus heat pack. Plants Only: Just pack loosly in wet newspaper and place flat in a poly bag. Seal to avoid leakage. Post in a bubble pack type envelope. Mark the box CLEARLY with the name ... plus LIVE FISH... PLEASE CONTACT ON ARRIVAL.. and phone number if they are being sent to a collection point... like a service station or somewhere. Contact The Person: Contact the person as soon as you send the goods. Inform them which service you have used, and when to expect deliverery.. AND WHERE.. in most cases, as many courier services will not deliver to home addresses.. but will drop parcels at a selected pick up point. If in doubt... DOUBLE BAG ALWAYS Some add a couple of drops of "Stess Coat" for the trip. The snails can be packed in a simple small strong cardboad box with bit of wet plant.. but they won't need a lot of water.. just a cupful perhaps, and the bag can be much smaller... plus the heat pack will not be needed. Shop Around: Not a lot of carriers will transport fish these days.. and the cost can vary tremendously. Look at paying around $18:00 for a local overnight trip.. and triple that for some areas... but this depends on the carrier. Try NZ Post... they are pretty good.. but not ALL branches will handle live stock. Hope this helps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bestshuyan Posted September 27, 2005 Author Report Share Posted September 27, 2005 Oh, Thank you very much. Help me a lot.Thanks again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted September 27, 2005 Report Share Posted September 27, 2005 This should be stickied! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madcookie Posted September 27, 2005 Report Share Posted September 27, 2005 Pegasus, awesomr thread- reply. Complete agreement with Caryl - this should be stickied.....Imagine how many fish will have a less stressful (and sometimes fatal) shipping experience due 90%, or solely, to this thread.? Well done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pegasus Posted September 28, 2005 Report Share Posted September 28, 2005 Thanks for the kind feedback It started with the first three lines as a reply.. but then I thought I may as well answer "all" the questions that are likely to follow he he. Bill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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