On a positive note, perhaps you could use this unfortunate incident to further your ongoing effort to convince your wife to let you get more fish tanks. If you had extra tanks, you could have raised them up yourself and not have to run the risk of shipping big fish.
DUDE THAT TOTALY SUCKS BALLS I got a question for you guys and gals shipping these larg fish why dont you pick up one them sterlite containers from a wallmart place the watter and fish inside them. Then place the box inside some them hefty constructiuon site trash bags . that way the fish aint able to puncture the bag and if they do the bag is inside the plastic box thats inside a couple more plastic bags. Just a idea.i no it to late now but something to think about .