Buying saltwater fish online?

[Fun]

So a few years ago I started my first saltwater aquarium. Due to the lack of saltwater fish availabilty in my area I had to stop running my aquarium. The local pet store use to have a great selection but then things went downhill. I now discovered online fish buying and was just wondering is it safe to buy fish online and how do they send you fish/corals if I live in a small rural town?

Thanks for helping

 

[carey]

Welcome to the forum!

I've purchased three times from online retailers. The first time everything was fine and alive. The second time I lost some shrimp in transit adn the 3rd time the fish were fine.

They will send the fish next day air usually, I get mine around 10 am the day after they ship

 

[thoughtcop22]

Hello! Welcome!
I almost exclusively buy online. I have only had one item die. Like Carey it was a shrimp. However, the guarantee was fantastic! I usually get from liveaquaria and they give 2 weeks and you don't have to send the deceased and a water sample back. Of course with anything online, just be cautious and use a reputable co. On the same note has anyone utilized a company called ORA?

 

[carey]

I think only retailers can buy direct from ORA. You can find alot of online stores that carry ORA or have your lfs order them like I did

 

[Fun]

Do most sites usually ship to rural areas?

 

[carey]

If fedex or ups goes to you so can fish.

 

[Fun]

Yup ups does. Thanks for the advice, appreciate it. Also when I do receive my fish what do I do with it before I put it in my tank? Sorry it's been awhile

 

[carey]

Acclimate them. You float the bags to temp acclimate and then out them in a bucket or other container and do a drip acclimation. Where only a little bit of your tank water is introduced at a time. I do mine over an hour for fish and for over 2 hours for shrimp.

 

[Fun]

Ok I understand. When you float the bags on top you leave them there for an hour, then you do the drip acclimation for an hour? (fish)

 

[Kio707]

Ok I understand. When you float the bags on top you leave them there for an hour, then you do the drip acclimation for an hour? (fish)

Leave the bags for 15-20 min, then drip them. Make sure you turn the lights off to avoid shock.

 

[Fun]

Ok thanks for the help