‹ Back to Education Centre
Packed by aquarists, not just posties
Every live animal and plant that leaves Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium is packed by experienced staff who keep these species themselves. Our goal is simple: your new arrivals should reach you in the same condition they left our tanks.
Live Fish
- Oxygen-filled bags – each fish is bagged in clean water from its own system with a generous charge of pure oxygen, giving many hours of safe transit time.
- Double or triple bagging – spiny or sharp-finned species (catfish, plecos, marine oddballs) are multi-bagged with liners so a spine can't cause a leak.
- Dark, calm transit – bags are packed upright in the dark, which keeps fish calm and lowers their oxygen use during the trip.
Live Corals & Inverts
- Individually bagged or cupped – each coral travels in its own bag or rigid cup of system water, sized so the piece can't knock against the sides.
- Frags secured – frag plugs are held so they can't tumble or land face-down against the polyps.
- Inverts packed to species – shrimp, snails, starfish and anemones each get the packing method that suits them, not a one-size-fits-all bag.
Live Plants & Tissue Cultures
- Moist, not swimming – plants travel wrapped in damp paper inside sealed bags, which prevents both drying out and rot in transit.
- Tissue culture cups sealed – cultures stay in their sterile cups, cushioned so lids can't pop.
The Box
- Insulated foam boxes – all livestock ships in polystyrene-lined cartons to hold temperature steady.
- Heat or cool packs by season – we add heat packs in winter and cool packs in summer heat waves, based on the forecast for your delivery route.
- Void fill and bracing – bags are braced so nothing shifts, even if the box travels on its side.
When Your Box Arrives
Open the box promptly, check everyone in, and follow our Acclimation Guide before releasing anything into your tank. If something has gone wrong in transit, take photos of the unopened bags straight away and see our Live Fish Arrival Guarantee for what to do next.
Questions about packing or shipping to your area? Email us at sales@nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au – we're always happy to talk through it before you order.