I just bought 2 dozen juvenile amano shrimp (they are so cute) and put them into my very lightly stocked 75 gallon planted tank. I also have a dozen cherry shrimp on the way from aquabid, which is going to be the first time I have ever had any cherry shrimp in my tanks. I am a little worried though about the shipping. I have only ever ordered a pair of killifish through the mail before and they both only lasted about a week before dying (I paid over $40 for them, too!!). Has anyone else ordered shrimp through the mail? Do they ship well?
I am very familiar with acclimating fish and shrimp to my tanks, but you can't always overcome the stress of shipping once the damage is done.
-Aphyosemion
New Amanos and cherries on the way!
Moderator: Mustafa
-
Aphyosemion
- Tiny Shrimp
- Posts: 53
- Joined: Mon Oct 25, 2004 7:14 am
- Location: Twin Cities Minnesota
Hi Brad, Amanda and Aphyosemion,
Actually, in my experience shrimp do not generally ship better than fish. Shrimp are extremely sensitive to ammonia, nitrite etc. and you cannot really add any ammonia neutralizing chemicals into that little amount of water in the bag since shrimp are sensitive to that, too. So...when one shrimp dies, it causes the water to go bad and the other shrimp follow.
I made many experiences with people shipping shrimp and most people seem to just resign to the "fact" that there will be losses. Of course, most people also ship millions of shrimp in little bags with nothing for the shrimp to hold on to.
It really is about using the right materials and techniques to send these shrimp.
By the way...the 50 shrimp I sent to Amanda and co. were "on the road" for 4 full days and all arrived alive and well. On the other hand, I have had shrimp sent to me overnight, packaged terribly (and undoubtedly kept under terrible conditions in dealer's tanks...as in 1000 shrimp in a small container etc...) and 50-80 percent arrived dead and the rest died a day or two later. This happened repeatedly. This is also one of the reasons why I started this website. I was sick and tired of shrimp dying unnecessarily because people just did not know what they were doing. I wanted to demonstrate that it can be done better.
So...the method makes a huge difference. Unfortunately, you cannot tell by just looking at someone's website how they are going to ship the animals.
Mustafa
Actually, in my experience shrimp do not generally ship better than fish. Shrimp are extremely sensitive to ammonia, nitrite etc. and you cannot really add any ammonia neutralizing chemicals into that little amount of water in the bag since shrimp are sensitive to that, too. So...when one shrimp dies, it causes the water to go bad and the other shrimp follow.
I made many experiences with people shipping shrimp and most people seem to just resign to the "fact" that there will be losses. Of course, most people also ship millions of shrimp in little bags with nothing for the shrimp to hold on to.
It really is about using the right materials and techniques to send these shrimp.
By the way...the 50 shrimp I sent to Amanda and co. were "on the road" for 4 full days and all arrived alive and well. On the other hand, I have had shrimp sent to me overnight, packaged terribly (and undoubtedly kept under terrible conditions in dealer's tanks...as in 1000 shrimp in a small container etc...) and 50-80 percent arrived dead and the rest died a day or two later. This happened repeatedly. This is also one of the reasons why I started this website. I was sick and tired of shrimp dying unnecessarily because people just did not know what they were doing. I wanted to demonstrate that it can be done better.
So...the method makes a huge difference. Unfortunately, you cannot tell by just looking at someone's website how they are going to ship the animals.
Mustafa
Last edited by Mustafa on Fri Oct 29, 2004 3:08 am, edited 1 time in total.
-
Aphyosemion
- Tiny Shrimp
- Posts: 53
- Joined: Mon Oct 25, 2004 7:14 am
- Location: Twin Cities Minnesota
Well, it is obvious you know what you are talking about, since not only is this your forum, but your customers back you up.
So, what do you recommend for shipping shrimp? I won't be shipping any soon, since even if I end up with a lot, I will greedily hoard them to myself, but I would like to have some idea when the package arrives if the person knew what they were doing or not.
-Aphyosemion
So, what do you recommend for shipping shrimp? I won't be shipping any soon, since even if I end up with a lot, I will greedily hoard them to myself, but I would like to have some idea when the package arrives if the person knew what they were doing or not.
-Aphyosemion
Usually 3 shrimp per bag ("breather bags"), java moss in the bag, then put bags in thick, insulated styrofoam box with tight fitting lid. Put styrofoam box into cardboard box. Ship. Done. 
I know it's a lot more work than just catching 20 shrimp and putting them all in one bag, but it's worth it.
Mustafa
I know it's a lot more work than just catching 20 shrimp and putting them all in one bag, but it's worth it.
Mustafa
-
Aphyosemion
- Tiny Shrimp
- Posts: 53
- Joined: Mon Oct 25, 2004 7:14 am
- Location: Twin Cities Minnesota