Ordering Fish Online

[WestTex]

I have aquired a 125 gallon aquarium that I'm going to stock with a small school (4 to 6) of Archers. When I called my LFS they told me that they could order some at a cost of $30 / fish. That sounded high to me so I started to check online at some dealers.

http://www.****************/catalog_pages/brackish_water/brackish.htm

**************** has them for $13.50 / fish, but I have never mail ordered fish and am reluctant to do so mainly out of inexperience. Normally I wouldn't even consider it but the price difference is just too much to pass by. Even with Shipping I'm looking at $105.75 vs $180.00 if I end up getting six archers. My main concern is getting and maintaining healthy archers, but I certainly wouldn't mind saving a little bit of money in the process.

Have you folks had good luck with mail ordering fish. What are some pointers that you can give me aside from having the tank properly cycled and set up? Any nightmare stories to share?

Thanks Folks.
WestTex

 

[radioaktiv]

is there anyone selling them on AquaBid?

ive never had a bad experience with the sellers there, and dont think ive really ever heard any. just be sure to check the feedback of the sellers.

www.aquabid.com

 

[oscar n redtail cat]

yes ive had 4 orders off line and from far away 2 like 200 milles+ and i got a rtc for 14.70 of line here in a shop they would be around £80 and i got 5 tsn for £17.50 witch they sell around here for about £30-£40 a fish !!! so its cheaper i got 2 aro and a niger catfish the aro were £15.00 that very cheap and they were sillvers and round here they are £225-£300 but there are micro chipped so cost more :S its silly i think lol so go for it

 

[WestTex]

If the fish are being shipped Fedex er UPS don't I have to be at home to recieve live animals? Does anything special need to be done to the fish to get them out of the shipping packages and into the tank?

 

[gavigan1]

Let's us know if your experience is good or bad. I have had good experience with vendors on aquabid.

 

[water_baby83]

If the fish are being shipped Fedex er UPS don't I have to be at home to recieve live animals?
This depends on how the supplier is shipping them. A lot of times they send animals with delivery confirmations or signature requirements to protect themselves from being ripped off by a customer claiming an order was never received, or complaints of DOA's (Dead on Arrival) due to customer negligence. You should be able to find that information located within the shipping information section on the website, or you can usually contact them by e-mail as well, or telephone (That information will usually be located separately with the "Contact Us" area, if that information is provided). But yes, there are some companies that have no guarantee's and therefore are not concerned with what transpires once the package is out of their custody. In this heat though, and being that these animals are shipped in sealed bags with a limited supply of oxygen, you never want to leave them in these longer than is absolutely necessary. I would suggest that if you cannot make your self available to hand receive a shipment during the week, that you inquire about "Saturday" arrivals that these carriers offer.

Does anything special need to be done to the fish to get them out of the shipping packages and into the tank?
Yes. The fish will need to be acclimated to not only their surroundings, but also to your tank water before introduction takes place. You will need to remove the fish (Keeping them in their shipping bag), and "Float" those bags on the surface of your tank water so that the temperature within their bags matches that of your tank temperature, before the water in introduced. The best and most trusted (not to mention easy) way of acclimation is "Drip Acclimating". This technique allows for gradual introduction of your tank water, and reduced stress on the animal.
If you are not familiar with acclimation as a whole, or Drip acclimation specifically, please let me know and I will be more than happy to explain it to you, as I am sure others will be also.

Response in PINK

 

[thorzep]

i have done mail orders from members on aquabid and dr smith and foster....and i have been VERY pleased with the results

 

[Daeorn]

Actually, depending on the size, 30 bucks is a good price.

Remember that the 14 dollar price is for a 2" archer, most LFS get them larger than that.

Then again, ask the LFS. If they get smaller ones, around 2", do the calculations.

I've never btw actually ordered fish online.

 

[WestTex]

The $30 Archers would be 3 inches.

 

[Shiroi Katsune]

Just for pricing info I paid around $15 a piece for my archers. All were about 2 1/2 to 3"