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Do any of you have experience with live fish shippers in the US?

If so, which are dependable and good (you got a good specimin of what you ordered...and ALIVE!).....and which shipper(s) should I stay away from, Please?

thanks

I know there are so members here from this side of the pond.

Nobody have any ideas?
I think shipping from Oz would be more costly, right? Or not, please?

Shipping from Australia would be highly unnecessary unless you want an Australian native from an Australian exporter. You can get all the same fish from here in the US, which is a shorter distance, less trouble, and of course less costly.

Shipping from online fish stores is mostly done by either USPS or Fed-Ex, perhaps UPS as well. The shipping process itself tends to be pretty good; rather, it hinges on the online fish store making the sale to you rather than the shipping itself. It depends on the online store what their pricing, policy, and shipping methods are. Also, it depends on what kind of fish you want. If you want African cichlids you'll want a different store than someone who carries saltwater fish.

I would consider this a last resort, though. I have been able to get most of my wanted fish at the LFS near me. Most LFSes will listen to their customers if they go up to someone and ask them to order in a type of fish. You benefit in numerous ways when you have the LFS order rather than doing it yourself. Because they generally buy in bulk, their shipping is cheaper, which is reflected in price per fish. Unless they can only order one or a few fish in at a time, you will be able to observe the fish before purchase and choose the best and healthiest, rather than crossing your fingers and hoping you get good specimens when they're shipped to you. Of course, there is the unfortunate fact that fish can die in transit, and in that case the LFS can take that hit rather than you.

Let us know what you want, because there are very few one-stop shops online that you can get anything you want.

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The aquarist is one who must learn the ways of the biologist, the chemist, and the veterinarian.

Are you trying to get fish shipped to you ?
What are you looking for ?

Or ship to someone else ?

Or a site where you can purchase fish or plants ?

As far as shippers go, maybe pop into Aquabid.com .
Most of the sellers are from the states. Find a seller with ALOT of positive feedbacks & ask who their shipper is Or purchase what you're looking for there if avail.

Cheers



The Amazon Nut...

Most Aussie fish come through Singapore and Thailand anyway, and there are transshippers there and you have an importer(s?) in the US that handles a lot of the Aquabid stuff from there.

What you need to know are shipping times, quarantine times, quarantine costs, shipping costs, transshipping costs (if applicable), and the DOA policy and if you are required to pay for shipping there. DO NOT have someone just post it off, check that whoever you use has the appropriate permits etc.


I can't think of anything over here that you might want that you couldn't get from the US, especially cichlids. We are pretty limited with species that might well be able to thrive here. If it is something specific we have people here that will send it overseas for you, depending on the species and shipment size (via Singapore anyway I believe, so it is not a quick trip).


For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks. - Terry Pratchett

Thank you all.

You all had interesting advice.

I search the web and came up with Microgeophagus.
So Bolivian Rams (http://www.gcca.net/fom/Microgeophagus_altispinosa.htm look about right (?)

I wonder who might have them around here.
(aquabid.com doesn't)

Bolivian Rams are certainly common enough to find at your own LFS. I advise you to just go to your favorite LFS and ask them to order in a batch for you. One of my LFS has had a tank with these fish for the past few months.

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The aquarist is one who must learn the ways of the biologist, the chemist, and the veterinarian.