Shipping fish

[tolstoy21]

On 9/2/2022 at 9:43 PM, Ken Burke said:

I’m debating about using these in stead of paper towels or news paper. It’s a little thicker, and I’m thinking it can hold more water. 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B082G2GJWP/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_image_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I used those for about a year. They do work well.

ULINE also has those in bulk (what I used to use), so you might want to do some price comparison.

https://www.uline.com/BL_7009/Universal-Sorbents

[Ken Burke]

On 9/3/2022 at 11:58 AM, tolstoy21 said:

I used those for about a year. They do work well.

ULINE also has those in bulk (what I used to use), so you might want to do some price comparison.

https://www.uline.com/BL_7009/Universal-Sorbents

Good to know.  I’m not expecting to ship that many fish just yet.  

[Odd Duck]

On 9/2/2022 at 8:46 AM, tolstoy21 said:

Not sure what an O2 concentrator is.

An oxygen concentrator does exactly that.  It pulls oxygen out of the air using compression and zeolite in stages.  Depending on the size of them, some don’t concentrate the O2 very quickly and small ones aren’t going to develop enough pressure to fill an oxygen tank, but they will certainly produce enough flow to fill even a big fish bag, and easily fill small fish bags quickly.  Some are fairly loud to run, but they only need to run when you’re actually filling bags.

The TV ads for portable O2 “without having to worry about changing tanks or hauling extra tanks with you” are oxygen concentrators.  The cheapest, no frills ones are about $300 and usually come with an O2 line that could be used to fill bags.  They also have built-in regulators and flowmeters.  I hooked mine up to my angelfish QT tanks while I had fish healing from a bit of fin rot.

They are super simple to use since they’re made for the general public.  On switch, turn the dial on the flow meter, attach the O2 line on your nose or facemask (or fish bag).  Mine will produce 5 liters/minute easily.  Most of them are tough as tanks and will run practically forever.  They have to be very reliable since people’s lives depend on them.  Mine is an EverFlo Stationary gifted to me by my neighbor’s son after the neighbor passed away.  It’s the same model used at clinics where I’ve worked to run their anesthesia machines or provide O2 to patients.

 

Edited September 4, 2022 by Odd Duck

[Ken Burke]

@Odd DuckMuch better explanation than I could give.  I’m curious, did the o2 help your angels?

[Odd Duck]

On 9/3/2022 at 8:58 PM, Ken Burke said:

@Odd DuckMuch better explanation than I could give.  I’m curious, did the o2 help your angels?

Not completely sure since I didn’t have a control group. The infection cleared up fast, but it seemed like fin regrowth could have been faster.  About the time I was thinking that fin regrowth seemed slow, somebody posted an article about adding O2 to tanks to speed healing, yada, yada.  My brain says, “Hmmm, I’ve got that O2 concentrator.  Why not?”  So I rigged it up to the 2 tanks that were affected, then added a third tank for the replacement fish the breeder sent after I shared pics showing the fin rot and some less than ideal operculums, just as another “Why not” thinking to reduce any shipping stress issues.  I was already having to just vent some O2 running only 2 lines on the gang valve (too much back pressure and the machine was alarming because of it - loud, high-pitched beep to say, “Hey, you might be laying on your O2 line, wake up and fix it before you turn purple!” kind of alarm).  I left it run until I felt like the affected fins had fully regrown.  The fish didn’t seem to miss it when I took it off.

[Jawjagrrl]

On 9/2/2022 at 8:32 PM, tolstoy21 said:

So Dan's Fish?

Yes. Very pleased. Even after hearing the UPS driver kicking the box to the front of the truck.

[Ken Burke]

OKAY! Taking the plunge and mailing a few angels to @Beardedbillygoat1975!
after 18 hours fasting the kids are eager.  Sorry, not just yet guys, water change first….

box is ready.  The Styrofoam I have on hand is 3/8”, so I doubled it up.  I also cut a few pieces of that pig stuff 2 for lining the outside of the box.

I was able to net out 1 of the largest and one of the smallest with 2 right is the middle.

 

to keep the bags from touching, I put a piece of scrap insulation and a couple pieces of the pig stuff.

all ready to go!

 

 

[Beardedbillygoat1975]

Looks like a great packing job! Can’t wait to get them!

[campfish]

Interesting in regard as to how long this question is staying alive 🤔 

In regard to shipping. You left one thing out. Say a prayer or 2 on the day of departure! If the shipping company (USPS / UPS / FEDEX) does not see or READ "LIVE AQUATIC ANIMALS" and "THIS SIDE UP /  DO NOT STACK OVER 3" and just tosses it, yeah, Styrofoam might help. Well positioned (propped up) with the correct amount  water is best. THIS SIDE UP ONLY. If they READ  it, "LIVE AQUATIC ANIMALS", yes you get the idea. Many times a fish farm will pack in many bags well positioned box's. from what I observed over the years how  Interesting our LFS gets thousands of dollars weekly or every other. They look pale and skittish from the travel dtress (alot) But ALIVE... After that it is the buyer who needs to know exactly what to do upon arrival. Be home and waiting. Or someone needs to sign for them. No matter whether you are the Shipper OR Customer, it's a little nerve wracking. That's where a little prayer comes in!

Edited September 12, 2022 by campfish
Spelling

[Chick-In-Of-TheSea]

@Beardedbillygoat1975 let us know when they arrive?  🙂 

[Chick-In-Of-TheSea]

Also @Ken Burke those little guys are so adorable. 😍

[Ken Burke]

On 9/12/2022 at 12:40 PM, Chick-In-Of-TheSea said:

@Beardedbillygoat1975 let us know when they arrive?  🙂 

I’m hoping for an unboxing post. 

[Chick-In-Of-TheSea]

@Beardedbillygoat1975?  Did the little guys make it safely?

[Beardedbillygoat1975]

@Chick-In-Of-TheSeathey did arrive safe. 

My horror story lately was detailed elsewhere in terms of shipping. 

But the Super Schwartzi made it and are thriving!

So there’s the shipping report as Dan from Dan’s Fish says!

[Chick-In-Of-TheSea]

Wow! I'm so glad they made it!  Hooray!

[Beardedbillygoat1975]

@Ken Burkedid a heck of a job packing!!

[Ken Burke]

On 9/26/2022 at 2:11 PM, Beardedbillygoat1975 said:

@Ken Burkedid a heck of a job packing!!

I’m hoping you have at least one pair outta the four.  They look like they are healthy and happy so far though.

[Beardedbillygoat1975]

Thanks again Ken. I’m going to feed them up for another week then get them in the 45 gallon. 

[Eric Obi]

The use of breather bags is permissible, but the use of heat packs is not. It is something I have done in the past and it has never caused me any problems.
Personally, I do not like to fish in winter because it can be very difficult for the fish during that time of year. If you want to ship fish in the winter you can probably ship fish in an ice box. I also have that ice-making machine, which is better for making ice to ship fish in a box. As a matter of fact, if I had to use something like this, I would most likely use 3 mil bags, double bagged with a "bag buddy" (Jungle brand probably the only Jungle brand item I would ever use, LOL), and a heat pack inside a Styrofoam.

Edited October 19, 2022 by Eric Obi