How Live Fish Are Safely Shipped

Shipping live fish successfully relies on decades of refined practice around oxygen, temperature, and minimizing stress during transit.

Sealed, Oxygenated Bags

Fish are shipped in sealed bags filled partly with water and partly with pure oxygen, providing enough dissolved oxygen to last through transit even as the fish’s own waste slowly affects water quality.

Temperature Control

Insulated boxes, sometimes with heat or cold packs depending on season and destination climate, help keep water temperature within a safe range throughout the journey.

Fasting Before Shipping

Fish are typically not fed for a day or two before shipping, reducing waste production in the bag and lowering the risk of ammonia buildup during transit.

Minimizing Transit Time

Faster shipping methods reduce overall stress and the time fish spend in a confined bag, which is why live fish are typically shipped via the fastest available service rather than standard ground shipping.

Your Role on Arrival

Once your order arrives, following a careful acclimation routine (see our arrival guide) completes the process the shipper started.