Shipping policy

Why We Ship Live Animals Using Next Day Air

To ensure the health and safety of our shrimp and other live aquatic animals, we ship all livestock using Next Day Air shipping whenever possible. Live animals are sensitive to temperature changes, oxygen levels, and shipping delays, and faster transit times greatly increase their chances of arriving healthy and stress-free.

Extended shipping times can expose livestock to:

• Temperature fluctuations
• Low oxygen levels
• Ammonia buildup in the bag
• Increased stress during transit

By using expedited shipping, we minimize the amount of time the animals spend in a sealed container and help provide the best possible arrival condition for your new livestock.

While Next Day Air may cost more than standard shipping, it is the safest and most responsible method for transporting live aquatic animals and helps us maintain high standards for animal welfare and customer satisfaction.

We appreciate your understanding and support in helping us prioritize the health of every animal we ship.

 

📦 Why We Can Safely Ship Phytoplankton & Copepods with Ground Advantage

Unlike many live aquarium animals, phytoplankton and copepods are much more tolerant of short transit times and can safely travel using USPS Ground Advantage in most weather conditions. This allows us to offer a more affordable shipping option while still maintaining healthy, viable cultures upon arrival.

Why Ground Shipping Works for These Products

🦠 Phytoplankton is Extremely Resilient
Live phytoplankton cultures can remain stable for several days in transit when properly packaged. They do not require oxygen injection like fish or shrimp and are much less sensitive to temporary darkness during shipping.

🦐 Copepods Travel Well in Dense Cultures
Copepods are hardy microcrustaceans that naturally experience changing conditions in the wild. When packed correctly with adequate water volume and oxygen exchange, they typically ship very well through Ground Advantage.

🌡️ Careful Packaging Matters
We package all live cultures carefully to help maintain stable temperatures and reduce stress during transit. Orders are packed with the health of the culture in mind to maximize live arrival success.

💲 Lower Shipping Costs for Customers
Using Ground Advantage allows us to keep shipping costs reasonable while still delivering healthy live cultures to your door.

While Ground Advantage is generally safe for phytoplankton and copepods, we may delay shipping during extreme weather conditions to protect the quality of your order.