Safely Shipping Live Coral, Fish & Invertebrates in Australia: Expert Guide

Written by Jonathan Jordon — reef keeper with 10+ years of experience specializing in SPS, LPS and reef aquarium chemistry.

At Aquamarine Aquaristic, shipping live coral, fish, and invertebrates is treated as a specialist process — not standard freight. Every order is carefully prepared to ensure your livestock arrives healthy, stable, and stress-free.

Below is a full breakdown of our shipping process, materials, and handling methods.

Insulated Packaging System for Live Aquatic Shipping

1. We use a multi-layer insulated system designed specifically for live aquatic transport:
2. High-density foam insulated shipping boxes
3. Internal thermal insulation liners (“moon bags”)
4. Heat packs or cold packs depending on weather conditions
5. Protective void fill (foam crumbles / packing peanuts) to prevent movement

This ensures stable internal temperatures regardless of external conditions during transit.

Weather-Based Shipping Decisions

1. We assess conditions daily before dispatch:
2. Local temperature at origin
3. Destination weather conditions
4. Estimated transit duration
5. Based on this, we select:
6. Heat packs for cold conditions
7. Cold packs for warm conditions

We only use professional-grade 72-hour and 110-hour heat packs, ensuring performance well beyond standard 24-hour transit times.

Individual Livestock Packing Process

Each animal is packed with species-specific care:

1. Corals, fish, and invertebrates are individually bagged
2. Each item is double or triple-bagged for security
3. Bags are positioned upright whenever possible to prevent leakage and stress
4. When upright placement is not possible:

Internal cable ties are used within bags to secure contents safely

Water Quality Control & Oxygen Enrichment

To reduce stress and improve survival rates:

1. Bags are filled with high-purity oxygen (3-stage oxygenation process)
2. Seawater is carefully measured per species requirements
3. Activated carbon, zeolite, and phosphate-reducing media may be added to stabilise water chemistry

This helps reduce:

• Ammonia buildup
• Toxin accumulation
• Transport stress on corals and fish

Secure Packing to Prevent Movement

Inside each insulated box:

1. Bags are centrally positioned
2. Surrounded with recycled protective cushioning material
3. Secured to eliminate movement during transit

Each “moon bag” is:

• Sealed with a tamper-proof sticker
• Insulated from direct heat or cold pack contact

Chill packs are made from frozen saltwater, designed to melt slowly and maintain consistent cooling.

Courier Handling & Live Animal Coordination

We work directly with our courier drivers to ensure fast and controlled dispatch:

1. Drivers are briefed on live animal handling requirements
2. Boxes are clearly labelled:
3. Live Fish
4. This Way Up arrows
5. Handling instructions

We coordinate pickup timing so:

• Orders are packed immediately before dispatch
• Courier pickup occurs within approximately 15 minutes
• Transit delay exposure is minimised

Proper Labelling & Transport Compliance

All shipments are:

1. Fully sealed with heavy-duty packaging tape
2. Labelled according to live animal transport guidelines
3. Marked clearly for correct handling orientation

This ensures proper care throughout the entire delivery chain.

Why Our Shipping Method Works

Our system is built around three core principles:

1. Temperature stability through insulation and weather-based packing
2. Water quality protection through oxygen enrichment and media treatment
3. Minimal transit stress through rapid courier coordination
4. Every step is designed to maximise survival rates and livestock health on arrival.

Final Note

We don’t treat shipping as an afterthought — it’s a critical part of live animal care. Every coral, fish, and invertebrate is packed with precision, experience, and attention to detail to ensure it arrives in the best possible condition.