By Donna M. Recktenwalt
Most of us who have been in the hobby for a while know that killifish and their eggs can usually be very easily and safely shipped. It’s not magic, and it’s not an art. If the big breeders and importers can do it, so can you.
There are a few basic rules. The fish must be healthy. They must have clean water. They must have an adequate supply of air. They must be protected from extremes of heat and cold while in transit. And they must be subjected to the stresses of shipping for the least possible amount of time.
Success in shipping fish or eggs is the result of properly preparing the materials for shipment, packaging them well, and then selecting the appropriate shipping method.Preparing Fish for Shipment
Most aquarists recommend not feeding fish for at least 24 hours prior to shipment. A day of fasting does the fish no harm, and reduces the amount of potential waste to contaminate the shipping water.
Less stress is better; net and bag the fish as gently as possible. Individual fish should travel in their own small bags. If using the standard poly fish bag, fill the bag about 1/4 full of water, capture as much air as possible in the top, then seal by twisting tightly, doubling over and securing with a rubber band, or by knotting. Pairs are usually shipped together, with the individual bags placed knot side down into a single larger bag. The outer bag is then sealed and labeled appropriately.
An alternative is to use the new Kordon breathable bags. With these, the fish are shipped with no extra air, since oxygen transfer occurs directly through the bags. Pairs may be tied together by the bag tops. Labels or tape should never be affixed to the bags, and the bags should never be written on. Neither should the fish shipped in them be double bagged, since this halves the potential amount of oxygen transfer. The disadvantages of the Kordon bags are a higher initial price, somewhat higher shipping costs (less air in the box) and a different aclimatization technique, since the bags should never be “floated” or the fish may suffocate.
Whether you are shipping fish or eggs, it is critical to label all containers or bags with the species name, the location name, and any applicable codes. If you are shipping to a show or sale, it is important to also add your own name, address, and telephone number. You may use labels on the outer bag, or you may write on them with a marking pen. If using Kordon bags, write the information on a label and attach it to the tied-off bag end.
In some cases, shipping the eggs of a given species is easier and preferable to shipping the live fish.
For peat-spawning annuals or semi-annuals, simply place the bag of eggs (properly marked with species and location information and date of collection) in either a shipping box or a padded mailing envelope for shipment.
Eggs that water incubate can be shipped in plain water, with or without java moss or yarn, or in wet peat.
The use of wet peat or yarn helps keep the eggs from abrading each other during shipment. Containers may be individual film canisters, small plastic or glass jars, or the same poly shipping bags used for fish. Be certain to mark the individual containers with species and spawning date information, then double bag for safety.
Most fish are shipped in Styrofoam boxes, such as those used for shipping frozen or refrigerated materials. These are often available for the asking from other fishkeepers, or from businesses that frequently receive frozen or refrigerated medicines or live biological materials, such as hospitals, medical offices or veterinary clinics. They can also be purchased from packaging stores.
In lieu of Styrofoam boxes for shipping, heavy weight cardboard boxes can also be used. Simply line the entire inside of the box (including the top) with fiberglass insulation batting or soft foam cut to fit.
To pack the fish or eggs, place a layer of styro shipping “peanuts,” crumpled newspaper, or other appropriate packing material on the bottom, lay the fish bags in place, then fill any remaining space with the packing material. Add a cover letter or list of contents on top. Seal the carton with shipping tape; at least two pieces across the top to firmly secure it, then all the way around the outside seam edge to seal it. Add a shipping label, and the package is ready to go.
If shipping in winter (which is not recommended in the colder areas from about November through April, due to the potential for cold damage and fish loss), the use of a heat pack may be indicated. These small chemical heat producers can keep the interior of a shipping box warm enough to assure fish survival in extremely cold conditions. However, they last only a short time (8-10 hours) and can’t compensate for a box left sitting out in the cold for a long time.
“One thing you must be careful of is to not allow the [heat] packs to touch the [fish] bags,” reminds Ted Klotz. “This can overheat the fish and they’ll die. I usually wrap the heat pack in newspaper or packing; I’ve also seen them taped to the top of the box.” Some shippers place a small piece of styro between the heat pack and the box contents. Others wrap them in paper towels and place them inside a plastic bag.How Best to Ship?
There are several options for shipping packages of fish or eggs. For most people, the U.S. Postal Service provides prompt, safe shipment of living materials. The box must be dry (no leaks), well taped shut, and clearly addressed. Priority Mail advertises 3-day delivery; for small to moderately sized packages (by weight) this is perhaps the most cost-effective method, ranging from $3.00 to $10.00 or more. However, you cannot insure the shipment, or get official coverage of the box.
Another option for many people is to ship via FedEx. However, Shane Essary, a killikeeper who happens to be a FedEx employee, has advised hobbyists that FedEx “frowns on shipping fish … [since] they do not usually fare well in the sorting system.” Also, the loss and claim rates for using this method are high.
Although fish have been shipped using almost every known shipping service, selection of which shipper to use may be defined by the sources that are locally available. Whatever shipper you use, however, attention to a few details may increase the chance for successful delivery.
1. Pack carefully, assuming the worst.
2. Ship early in the week. Shipments that depart from Wednesday through Friday may sit for a day in transit.
3. Make certain the address is clear and easy to read. If the recipient is in a hurry for the package, add his phone number on the label and mark the box for “Call Upon Arrival.”
— G.C.K.A. Newsletter, March 1999