Hi Jools,Jools wrote:I looked into getting 6 shipped to Scotland and it was going to be around £150 for 6 fish. So, I passed, nice fish though I think when they colour up.
Jools
That is some fairly serious money for 6 fish but I suppose the freight rate is almost half the total, Yes? The cost of freight is really becoming an issue and more so with every passing year.
The USPS is even raising it's rates AND wanting to cut back to 5 days a week instead of 6 days a week daily deliveries leaving little margin for delays on fish mails out on a Tuesday or Wednesday. Killies can easily handle 3 days cheaper Priority mail usually takes but 2-1/2 inch/~6.5cm young plecos need to arrive at most on the 2nd day.
I have successfully used breathable bags for years but this year I began using an electronic bag sealer to cut the 90* corners to a 45* angle. This makes it nearly impossible for them to get a spine enough purchase to puncture these tough little bags. breathable bags save a lot of weight and space therefore reducing shipping costs. I had only one failure out of over 150 bags sent out between April and June of this year. I experimented with common bushy noses at first and found they were still doing well after 7 days although they were beginning to look thin so I stopped the experiments. I have other bags containing only water still holding up after at least 18 months of abuse being tossed around the fish room. I got the idea of using electronic sealers from the American Killiefish Association which has been using this method for over a decade to seal breathable bags with fish to proxy bidders at the annual National Conventions. I was skeptical at first but now I have good confidence in this method.
