Buying fish through the mail

[lilhurleybunny]

I need some ottos! My tank is starting to get algea like mad! and even though I clean it I could use a couple of little helpers . I was looking through Doctors Foster & Smith and noticed they had some. I have 3 questions about ordering fish through the mail :

1) Is it okay on the fish or will they be dead when they get to my house?

2) Are Foster and Smith reliable? Do they have good quality fish? Have you had luck with them?

3) Are there any major downfalls or good things about ordering fish through the mail?

THANKS!

-Bunny-

 

[Cheese Specialist]

The fish are generally ok being psoted. How do you think they get to your lfs?

Good thing about mail order is that you can fish that you cannot always get locally. Bad thing is that you cannot see the fish or ask questones before you buy.

HTH

 

[TigerBarb3]

Nay. I prefer to see exactly what i am buying

 

[Teelie]

Another thing is postage on mailing live fish is outrageous. You may end up paying $40 to ship a $2 fish.

 

[Cheese Specialist]

Another thing is postage on mailing live fish is outrageous. You may end up paying $40 to ship a $2 fish.

Ah, maybe that's in the US (with it being a bigger country). In the UK where I use it is only £10 and next day.

 

[ladynaoko]

Posting is the only way I can get a lot of fish (since theres only 2 places here that I trust enough), not tried it YET but my next purchase will be mail order

 

[Teelie]

Another thing is postage on mailing live fish is outrageous. You may end up paying $40 to ship a $2 fish.

Ah, maybe that's in the US (with it being a bigger country). In the UK where I use it is only £10 and next day.

Seems to be that way here. I've never ordered fish online because of the shipping expense. I think the prices might be inflated to pad the profits of the sellers but I've seen nearly consistent $30-40 shipping fees for overnight delivery. Then again this often includes being shipped via airplane.

 

[Sky042]

for the ammount you'd pay to ship a pair of otto's though liveaquaria.com you could drive to where I live in south eastern PA and buy an otto here. Though I'm SURE if you look around the stores where you live you'll find yourself some otto's.

 

[lilhurleybunny]

HOLY SMOKES! I just looked at the money order and noticed the fees! Plus it says that my subtotal has to be a minimum of $30! Now I think that means that i have to buy 30 bucks worth of fish right? Lol thanks but no thanks! I'll go to petsmart and buy a couple for like $3 each lol

Thanks for the help anyway guys!

 

[Teelie]

Yeah, they'll require you to buy at least $30 worth of fish and/or merchandise on top of the shipping fee.

 

[fishy frenzy]

is there a mail order fish place in the uk any one can tell me of.