I'm looking into buying some Corydoras habrosus, but I'm not sure which shipping option to get. I would prefer to get the priority, considering it's $20 less, but does anyone have any experience with shipping/receiving fish through priority mail?
I've purchased endler's and they were shipped from Florida to Massachusetts via priority and all six survived. Just be wary of your weather. If it's cold out, ask for heat packs.
Another thing to consider is the time of year. With the onslaught of holiday shipping, Priority packages can take longer and longer to reach their destination. Many sellers will only ship Express or over night this time of year because of that.
Personally, I'm not sure how anyone has the patience to wait 2-3 days (can take 5-7) for critters shipped Priority.
Actually long distance is my preferred for priority shipping.
Fla to the North or far West is a flight on the same plane right next to the express packages. 2 days to Washington State and SoCal several times.
Holiday season shipping is always a nightmare.
They're not expensive at $3 each. And I'm not out of home for long so I can always get the package in an hour or two after it arrives. And I thought cories were pretty hardy?
Like others have mentioned just ask for heat packs and it will probably be fine as long as its not all the way across the country. Although I have only done overnight/express because I split orders with a friend.
Another thing to consider is the time of year. With the onslaught of holiday shipping, Priority packages can take longer and longer to reach their destination. Many sellers will only ship Express or over night this time of year because of that.
Personally, I'm not sure how anyone has the patience to wait 2-3 days (can take 5-7) for critters shipped Priority.
I remember hearing that the "express" option is no longer guaranteed to get there any faster than priority.
With fish this small, in breather bags, they should be just fine priority, I've gotten some pretty sensitive species through priority mail-all just fine.
1. USPS express does not give refunds for packages containing live fish until the third day. If the package is delayed for more than 3 days, you can get a refund. This policy went into effect in Jan of 2010, I believe
2. Priority- generally depends on if you are in a rural area, urban area, temperatures, and the particular sort facilities and postal deliverer. I routinely have priority packages take 4-5 days. All year round.
3. Cories should not be shipped in breather bags unless air is left in the top,w hich is counter-intuitive to using breathers.
4. Faster is ALWAYS better. Please note, while often fish do "fine", being in bags for prolonged periods of time with water that is getting increasingly dirty can do damage you do not see- burning of the gills most notably.
5. Heat packs- they work, but they are not a consistent temperature. They have a "peak" temp that they reach, then gradually cool down over the duration. Because of this, if temperatures are very cold, they are not sufficient. Also keep in mind that how the packages are physically moved (in a truck, on a plane) etc can effect what the temperature of the box will be as well. Also, heat packs are only effective if the interior temperature of teh box can be maintained, the stop working when things get quite cold.
My preference is to never have fish take longer than 2 days.
it can be fine,t he bigger issue is there is no delivery time guarantee. It is, ultimately, your gamble. That, and the life and well being of the fish.
Below freezing temps is best with Overnight shipping.
It's a waste of money if your purchase wound up dead or dying.
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