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Hello!
I need to mail a betta from Ottawa to Calgary. Has anyone here done this before? Any advice on what company to go with? Canada Post, Purolator Courier, UPS, Canpar...
I'm assuming I will need to double/triple bag the little guy and maybe find some styrofoam. Should I put his java ferns in the same bag with him, or separate the plants?

I did search the archives (although it's quite possible I'm just not searching properly) and didn't see any previous discussion on shipping specifically within Canada.

Thanks, I would appreciate any advice you guys have!

Not sure on Canada specifically, but on the packing see if you can get a 48hr heatpack (if the nights are icy over there) and a small styrofoam cooler. Poke a small hole in the lid or side of the cooler and attach the heatpack to the side with the hole (they are oxygen-activated and will just stop working in a sealed box) then pack the in-between area with newspaper and pop the fish on the opposite side of the box. If you can't get the heatpack, make sure you get the styro box to help insulate the little guy

If the fish is a longfin, use the smallest bags you can find as this seems to decrease the incidence of tail chewing (important if it is a fancy breeder or showfish, but also important to try to reduce the opportunity for infection as shipping is stressful enough on the body) Ship separately to the plants, everything in its own little packs. Double bag the betta, or send him in a 600mL/1L soda bottle if you aren't confident about your seals. Leaking boxes tend to get postmen very cranky.

LABEL the box. If it is not permitted to send fish and you intend to do it anyway (I'm not condoning it, just trying to give the fish the best chance) label the box "live aquatic plants" and stick a few "this way up" and "urgent" labels on. Make sure there is a return address and your contact phone number in case there is a problem with delivery.

Also, on the java fern, when I have received it in the past, it has come packed in a bag, but just carefully wrapped in wet newspaper, not fully covered with water. i think this is to save on postage but also to ensure that the plant is kept moist for the whole trip. Might be worth popping over to planted and asking there.

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 very much for the advice! Betta arrived safe and alive. =)

Just in case this helps anyone else in the future:
- fish was triple-bagged, styrofoam'ed, in a box roughly 20cm x 20cm x 10cm; package was just under 1 kg
- cost roughly $40 shipping from Ottawa to Calgary by Priority Courier to arrive next day

acinonyx,
Wow! 40 bucks for a betta, thats a lot considering I paid $3 for mine. I am glad to hear he made it safe!


Justin


Colts Fan For Life
30g platy tank: 2 sunburst wag platys, 2 redtailed white calico platys, 2 red wag platys, 1 fry(not sure who it belongs to), 1 Golden CAE.
Bettas:1 VT male