📦🐟 How to Ship Fish with Oxygen and Other Methods

🥇 Method 1: Standard Oxygen Bagging (✅ Our Preferred Method)

• 🐠 Bagging: 1/3 water, 2/3 pure oxygen.
• 🎯 One fish per bag recommended. (Small fish: up to 3–4 per bag, but less is better).
• 🛡️ Double-bag for extra protection.
• 💎 Special care species:
  • 🐱 Catfish / Spiny Plecos → Vinyl bags (to prevent punctures).
  • 🐡 Puffers → Hard plastic containers (they bite through bags).
  • 🥷 Stingrays → Barbs trimmed for safe shipping.

🥈 Method 2: Kordon Breather Bags (⚠️ Alternative Method)

• 🌬️ Allows oxygen/CO₂ exchange through bag walls.
• ✅ Fish breathe directly — no injected oxygen needed.
• ❌ Cannot be double-bagged, must be handled carefully.
• 📌 Note: We don’t use this method, but others might.

🥉 Method 3: Buckets or Totes (🚚 Short-Term Transport Only)

• 🛍️ Line with plastic bags (prevents fish eye injuries).
• 💨 Battery-operated bubbler for oxygen.
• 🍽️ Fast fish for 2–3 days → less waste during travel.
• 🪣 Use a lid → keeps heat in & fish from jumping out.
• ⏳ Transport quickly → buckets lose heat fast.

❄️🔥 Temperature Control During Shipping

• Winter:
  • 🔥 Use 1–3 heat packs (more for large boxes).
  • 🕳️ Cut small hole in lid → allows oxygen for heat packs.
  • ⚠️ Don’t get heat packs wet → they won’t work.
• Summer:
  • 🌡️ Cut vent holes in lid → prevents overheating.
  • Keeps water temp more stable than a sealed box.

📝 Final Tips for Success

• 📦 Use approved shipping boxes rated for 265 lbs.
  • Thin boxes can collapse if stacked, risking smashed fish shipments.
• 📦 Label all sides: “LIVE FISH” 🐟 & “THIS SIDE UP” ⬆️.
• 🔝 Top of box: LIVE FISH – HANDLE WITH CARE.
• 🕳️ Poke hole through tape → oxygen for heat packs.
• 🚚 Use only approved shippers: FedEx, UPS, Southwest Cargo, Delta.
  • 📑 Must set up an account with each for live fish approval.
• ❄️ Use insulated liners + overnight shipping whenever possible.
• ☀️ Check departure & arrival weather before sending.