worried abaut ordering fish by mail

[grandmamaria51]

:help: I have always bought my fish from the pet store near my house. It has been ok but the problem is that they dont have a lot of variety. I have seen such beautiful fish on this web site, saltwaterfish.com that I want to order some by mail. My problem is that I live in Indiana and now it is very cold. Iam worried about the fish traveling on a plane and then a ups truck when they arrive at my house. Should I wait until next year to order or is it safe for the fish to be shipped this way? Do they come in a special container that will keep the water temp. at a safe level? I just dont want anything to happen to them. I will feel awful if the fish die because of the trip. Have any of you fellow aquarist encouter this problem before? Please tell me about it. I really want to order at least 3 more fish for my 75 gal. salt water aquarium, but I am hesitant to do it in this weather. Thank you for any information.
Maria A. Rodriguez.

 

[cindyski]

everyone including myself that has posted here & bought here has been happy with their order. i dont think you will have any problmes

 

[elfdoctors]

Your fears are unfounded. SWF.com does an excellent job shipping in cold weather. I am several hundred miles north of you and just had a shipment this past Tuesday. The shipment comes in an insulated box and there is a slow release heat pack (similar to the packs you buy as handwarmers) which keeps the box at a stable temperature. They offer the 6 day guarantee regardless of how cold it is where you live. I have had two shipments and have not had a single loss. You should realize that the fish in your LFS had to come by air also! I am in a similar situation in that the LFS (about an hour away) has a limited selection. You can make a more educated decision about what to buy. I find that the prices are substantially cheaper then my LFS and my LFS doesn't even give a guarantee. After you order watch your e-mail every evening as you will get an e-mail telling you when they were shipped. Make sure someone is at home that day.
Good Luck!

 

[grandmamaria51]

Hello and thank you for your information and for putting my fears at ease. I will defenetly order from SWF now! My tank is about 3 years old and it is doing magnificently well. I have a lot of live rock and the fish that are in it are happy and healthy. I have 2 blue damsels, a rackoon face angel, a flame angel, a coral beauty and 2 clowns. I just want maybe 1 or 2 more. I said I wanted 3 but I think then it will be to crowded. I also want to have some anemones but first I have to see if they would be ok. in this tank. I know that this invertebrates are a little touchy and delicate so I will have to wait a while until I know for sure they are going to be ok.
Any way, thanks again for your input.
Maria.