Angelfish Gardens

Purchasing live tropical fish from an internet seller can be a daunting experience for the first time buyer. In fact, fish are shipped all over the world every day by conscientious dealers sending a few fish to customers and by marine biology facilities transporting large quantities. Shipping-related problems are relatively uncommon. Reputable mail order dealers prepare and pack their fish with great care, ensuring the safety and well being of the little travelers. Modern bagging and packing materials have taken much of the risk out of shipping aquatic creatures. Efficient shipping companies make it possible for fish to be delivered to your door in less than 24 hours in most parts of the United States. When overnight delivery is not available to your area, 2nd day delivery can be counted on virtually anywhere, and the fish tolerate the extra day without difficulty if they are packaged properly. Shipping costs are high, but there are a lot of people who have to drive 50 or 60 miles to get to a good pet store. Transportation is expensive no matter who's doing the driving.

As I've prepared this brief article on shipping fish, I've asked myself several times why anyone would want to buy $25 worth of fish and pay $50 for shipping. And the first answer that pops into my head is, "well, I did." And I'm glad I did. More often than not, the selection available at the local pet shop or big box store is pretty narrow, and their fish were more often than not raised at purely profit motivated farms and loaded with medications and chemicals to artificially enhance their appearance, but not their longevity. Angelfish quality has suffered considerably in the past decade. Healthy angelfish that have a good start in life can be expected to live 10 years or more. I'm saddened by the number of new fishkeepers who believe that it's normal to replace dead fish every year.

Internet commerce is doing for the tropical fish industry what it has done for countless retailers - it has provided buyers with a wide variety of choices at affordable prices. Typing "angel fish retail" into a search engine will lead you to a plethora of angelfish varieties from professional breeders. Yes, the shipping is expensive. If I paid $25 for 5 really good angelfish, and paid an additional $50 for shipping, then each of my fish cost me $15. And if those fish are beautiful and robust and live for 10 years, then I would think I got a pretty good deal.