Mail Order Fish

[Gilli]

What does everyone think about mail order fish? Ive never tried this method of buying but im curious to know if it is successful and more importantly do you think it is cruel to the fish?

Trouble is variety of fish to choose from. - there are some lovely fish suggested and ones ive read about on fish sites I would like but they are never to be seen when you go to the various fish shops!

 

[DevUK]

I've never done it myself, but there are a few very highly rated companies that do mail order fish, and from what I've read, Trimar get favourable comments for quality and the way the ship.

Also, if you think about it, fish are transported accross the world via air before they get to your LFS, so theres not a great deal of difference. Mail order companies send them via special courier next day before 12pm usually (or should do, make sure first!)

 

[simonas]

I've done it twice and the only thing that would put me off again i delivery prices as opposed to my LFS ordering them in

I got a tyre track eel frm trimar and he was perfect when I got him. amazingly packed and I live opposite end of country to Trimar

also eAquatics off ebay I used last year for a Clown Knife and again I could not fault them. Both fish were perfectly healthy

 

[Gilli]

Just been to the Trimar site to take a look and im not impressed! No information on the fish at all, and looked at their 'setting up a tank for beginners' info and nothing at all about cycling the tank!! They say just add the water conditioner/dechlorinator wait a week to check the temp is ok then add the fish!! Very very bad!!

 

[pastabake]

I've used fishfinders, got to say that the fish were/still are great (apart from the one that jumped out of the tank). The site gave good information about the fish including water parameters, only downside is the packaging cost considerable more than the fish. I'd do it again but only if I was either getting an expensive rare fish or lots of cheaper ones. Not worth it otherwise because your lfs will stock or be able to get almost whatever you want and they'll be acclimatised to local water conditions.

 

[simonas]

Just been to the Trimar site to take a look and im not impressed! No information on the fish at all, and looked at their 'setting up a tank for beginners' info and nothing at all about cycling the tank!! They say just add the water conditioner/dechlorinator wait a week to check the temp is ok then add the fish!! Very very bad!!

maybe so but the fish are very good and packaged well

and this is on site

Before Arrival

We keep the majority of our Tropical and Coldwater fish at a pH OF 7.00 - 7.5 AND AT A TEMPERATURE OF 24 - 27C.

WE MUST ASSUME THAT YOUR AQUARIUM IS AT SIMILAR VALUES TO THIS.

You should also ensure that

The ammonia and nitrite readings are zero.

Nitrate is below 25 ppm

that the tank is "fully cycled" i.e. fully matured with a mature filter.

the aquarium has adequate room for the fishes

That the tankmates are compatible

That you are conversant with the requirements of the fish being ordered.

PLEASE ENSURE YOU WILL BE PRESENT TO ACCEPT THE FISH ON ARRIVAL



On Arrival

Acclimatising your new fish

Your new fish have been carefully chosen and packed in oxygen to arrive safely with you.

They will have cooled over the period of time since then and may feel quite cold to the touch.. This will not be a problem.

Turn off the aquarium lights and float the plastic bag unopened for 15 minutes to adjust the temperature in the bag to your tank water temperature.

Then open the top of the bag and roll it down to form a collar so that the bag floats on the surface with the top open. This is essential otherwise oxygen cannot get into the water and the fish may die.

Our fish are packed in water ph 7.00 - 7.5 (unless specified differently) we expect your water to be very similar.

Over a period of 20 minutes, add water from your tank ( a cup at a time ) to the bag to adjust fluctuations in the different water conditions. Excess water can be tipped away.

After this 35 minutes or so gently lift the fish from the bag and allow them into your tank and discard the transit water.

They will need time to rest and probably wont want to feed for a day or so. Allow them to hide away, don't chase them out!

If your fish are badly stressed in some way in some cases it is best to release them into the tank more quickly. If this is the case ring us right away and we can advise