Question about shipping fish

itz frank

Gives Bad Advice.
How long would a fish be ok in a shipping container?

I work Monday through Saturday, 9-6. Being home for arrivals isn't easy but I want to order something online. I live in Florida.

If a fish is fedex'd, how long would they be ok to sit?
 
A Google search shows that I'm better off shipping them to my office and that they should be fine as long as they don't experience temp swings and I don't open the bag.
 
Most shippers claim that they package their stock to survive 2 days in the bag, just in case. But it's an awfully stressful situation so every hour you can knock off is good.

I've had good luck having a neighbor bring the box inside (or in your case receive it at work) so it's not having crazy temp swings. I didn't even open the box until I was home and had everything set up to move them. Then a quick acclimation to get them out of the icky water. Just 15 minutes float to even out temp, open bag, check salinity, match the water to the bag water and get them out. There will be a lot of waste buildup so you don't want them sitting in there once it's open, ammonia will start burning them almost instantly.

The risk is that if anything doesn't make the trip, you may get stuck if you seek a credit. The seller will be able to see that they were delivered at 10:00 am, so if you are emailing them at 7:00pm and trying to say the fish was DOA they might be reluctant to refund.
 
Most shippers claim that they package their stock to survive 2 days in the bag, just in case. But it's an awfully stressful situation so every hour you can knock off is good.

I've had good luck having a neighbor bring the box inside (or in your case receive it at work) so it's not having crazy temp swings. I didn't even open the box until I was home and had everything set up to move them. Then a quick acclimation to get them out of the icky water. Just 15 minutes float to even out temp, open bag, check salinity, match the water to the bag water and get them out. There will be a lot of waste buildup so you don't want them sitting in there once it's open, ammonia will start burning them almost instantly.

The risk is that if anything doesn't make the trip, you may get stuck if you seek a credit. The seller will be able to see that they were delivered at 10:00 am, so if you are emailing them at 7:00pm and trying to say the fish was DOA they might be reluctant to refund.


I understand the doa risk. But what about those that guarantee for a time frame past the arrival date?
 
It'll depend on the shipper. Thats something they wouldn't know unless you told them I guess. Who are you thinking of ordering from?
 
You're better off just calling off that day and picking them up. Virtually everyone is going to ship priority overnight so any livestock shipment should arrive before 10am.

As CStrickland has already said, the real thing is a DOA shipment. You have to be on it from when it arrived to you noticing it's dead or sick and report this to the retailer immediately. Also some carriers will not drop off a livestock shipment if no one is there to sign for it.

I would strongly suggest you (or someone else) be there to not only sign for the package, but inspect the livestock, and begin acclimation asap. I would have suggested maybe going for the Saturday delivery option, but you work then too. If none of this works out, you could try and ship it to your work place, but if you value your investment, it'll be tricky to inspect the livestock, then keep them safe until you can take them home.

Try to have a talk with your boss, explain the situation, you might be able to get away with a half day. Good luck!
 
Just have the package held at your local fedex facility and pick it up at lunchtime or before work if possible. They can last a long time in the bag. That's not really a concern. Regardless, it will be fine sitting on your doorstep too and I don't think you'd have any issues claiming a DOA through divers den if fedex put "package left at doorstep" on the tracking. FedEx puts that a lot of times even when I am home to get the package.
 
If it's from Diver's Den they are fine in the box until end of work day. (They do not require a delivery signature either.) As long as the box isn't left out in extreme hot or cold (Preferably kept indoors.) You could have it shipped to your work too. I've had several from there shipped to my wife's work and then she takes it home with her after work and starts to acclimate. No problems, and LiveAquaria does an excellent job packing the fish. They also back their livestock with a 14 day guarantee.
 
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