Key takeaways
- EasternMarine ships livestock NZ-wide by Same Day Airfreight (airport to airport) or overnight courier.
- Have your tank cycled, stable and tested before your order is sent.
- For airfreight, collect your box promptly and open it as soon as you get home. Arrive Alive Guarantee claims have strict time limits.
- Follow a slow acclimation, keep the lights low and expect new arrivals to hide for a day or two.
Ordering fish, coral or invertebrates online is exciting, and a little preparation makes all the difference. This guide explains how our livestock shipping works, what to do when your box arrives and how to give your new animals the best start.
How EasternMarine ships livestock
We have been shipping marine livestock around New Zealand since 2017. Before sale, every fish and coral spends a minimum of three weeks settling, feeding and stabilising in our quarantine systems. We use two livestock shipping methods:
| Method | How it works | Things to know |
|---|---|---|
| Same Day Airfreight | Airport to airport via any Air New Zealand-serviced airport. You choose a suitable date, and we email you the flight and collection details. | Our preferred method, and the only one we use for some species. Covered by our Arrive Alive Guarantee. |
| Overnight courier | Door to door via NZ Post. A tracking link is sent automatically once the parcel is collected. | Livestock is sent at the first suitable opportunity. Pricing is shown at checkout. |
For current pricing and full details, see our shipping information page.
Before your livestock ships
- Your tank should be fully cycled, with ammonia and nitrite at zero, salinity around 35 ppt and temperature about 25–26 °C. Read our water chemistry guide.
- Check that your tank has room for the new animals and that they're compatible with your current stock.
- Prepare an acclimation bucket, airline tubing, a net and a thermometer.
- For airfreight, plan to collect from the airport at the scheduled time.
When your box arrives
- Collect and open promptly. Don't leave the box sitting. Open it in a dim room.
- Check each bag through the plastic for movement and signs of injury.
- If anything has not survived an airfreight shipment, take a photo of it in the original bag straight away. Keep your air waybill (AWB) number. The time limits are short, so read the Arrive Alive Guarantee conditions before your delivery day.
- Begin acclimation straight away. Follow our step-by-step fish acclimation guide.
The first 24 hours
New arrivals are usually shy. Hiding, faded colours and not eating on the first day are all normal. Corals may stay closed until they settle. Keep the lights low for the rest of the day, avoid rearranging rockwork, and offer a small feed the next day.
Contact us if you notice heavy breathing that doesn't settle, a fish lying on the bottom, or obvious injuries or spots. Testing your water first will help us help you.
The first week
- Feed small amounts once or twice a day. Remove uneaten food.
- Test ammonia, nitrite and nitrate a couple of times during the week. New livestock adds load to your biological filter.
- Watch for bullying by established fish. Rearranging a little rockwork before adding a new fish can reduce territorial behaviour.
- Place new corals low in the tank first, then move them up over a week or two. See coral care for beginners.
Shop quarantined livestock
Browse in-stock fish, LPS corals, SPS corals and invertebrates, shipped NZ-wide from Wiri, Auckland. You're welcome to pick up in store at 114 Wiri Station Road.
Products we use and recommend: EMA Marine Mega Mix Fish & Coral Food · Fauna Marin Salinity Reference · Aqua One 100W Glass Heater
Frequently asked questions
Do you ship fish to the South Island?
Yes. We ship NZ-wide, and Same Day Airfreight is available to any Air New Zealand-serviced airport.
What is the Arrive Alive Guarantee?
It covers livestock sent by Same Day Airfreight, subject to conditions such as prompt collection and reporting. Read the full Arrive Alive Guarantee terms.
How long does livestock spend in quarantine before sale?
A minimum of three weeks in our systems, so it is settled and feeding before it is offered for sale.
