Tiny Hawaiian Tilapia in the mail

[johnnymax]

I ordered Hawaiian Gold Tilapia off eBay. They came in Friday and when I opened them they were tiny.
They were supposed to be 1/2"+ in length. About 4 were, but the rest were smaller. The two who were very tiny arrived dead.
I lost the two smallest that were still alive, but too weak to swim.
They were shipped 3 day priority, which was too long for fish that are so small. They have no resources to live on for that length of time.
I ordered 10 with 2 extra to cover loss. I received 10 alive, but 2 quickly died.
They are eating. I am just crushing flake fish food into fine pieces.
Anyway, I am disappointed.

The fish are recovering. They think they are in the ocean in their big 75 gallon home.

 

[krichardson]

Bummer....though not a guarantee against possible fish deaths It's best to spend the extra money and get your fish shipped in as quickly as possible.

 

[Hendre]

Sorry to hear! Hope these fish grow well. Are they a golden morph of regular tilapia?

 

[Fishpony]

Man it sucks that you've lost some already, but I'm sure the survivors will become bullet proof and put on some size in no time. Although, I'd put a guard/sponge on your circulation pump, wouldn't want any of them to become sashimi.

 

[johnnymax]

Man it sucks that you've lost some already, but I'm sure the survivors will become bullet proof and put on some size in no time. Although, I'd put a guard/sponge on your circulation pump, wouldn't want any of them to become sashimi.

Pumps are all off for now. I am just using my air driven filter until they get bigger.

 

[johnnymax]

Sorry to hear! Hope these fish grow well. Are they a golden morph of regular tilapia?

They originated from Mozambique Tilapia. Started in Hawaii 30+ years ago I think.

 

[johnnymax]

AND..... I ordered some freshwater clams. I just want to try them out, well they shipped them "snail mail"
Literally! Shipped last Monday and I still have not received them. Neither offered different shipping options.
The Tilapia just said Priority Mail and both had no complaints about dead arrivals.
I think the clams will arrive today... alive I hope.

FYI, this is my first time ever to order live fish, etc. I have always been skeptical

 

[Fishpony]

AND..... I ordered some freshwater clams. I just want to try them out, well they shipped them "snail mail"
Literally! Shipped last Monday and I still have not received them. Neither offered different shipping options.
The Tilapia just said Priority Mail and both had no complaints about dead arrivals.
I think the clams will arrive today... alive I hope.

FYI, this is my first time ever to order live fish, etc. I have always been skeptical

I feel you, online fish orders can be really hit or miss, even from some of the go to websites. That's what you gotta do when you want some more unusual fish though. If the seller packed the clams with some insulation, then I'm sure that your clams will arrive alive and well.

 

[celebrist]

AND..... I ordered some freshwater clams. I just want to try them out, well they shipped them "snail mail"
Literally! Shipped last Monday and I still have not received them. Neither offered different shipping options.
The Tilapia just said Priority Mail and both had no complaints about dead arrivals.
I think the clams will arrive today... alive I hope.

FYI, this is my first time ever to order live fish, etc. I have always been skeptical

View attachment 1380876

I have never ordered fish on eBay and I don't think I will

I prefer a reliable vendor either on here or some place like wet spot

 

[johnnymax]

I received 10 more Tilapia yesterday from a different eBay seller. An actual tilapia farm in Florida. They were even smaller, but in great health. I received the shipment in just two days. That made a HUGE difference.
They are plain Mozambique Tilapia.
I was surprised how much the first fish grew in just a week. It was much more obvious when I put the new small fish in.
The description for the second fish said fish from 1/4" to 1/2" so I was expecting tiny fish.
The first fish said 1/2" plus and the fish were mostly 1/4" and with 4 days for delivery, it was too hard on such tiny fish I guess.
I am going to have too many fish in 10 or 12 months I am afraid. That depends on how big they get in that time.