Ordering puffers online?

[SeanPwns]

Well heres my story. I got a figure 8 puffer from a store and it died from ick. I go back a few weeks later and theres only 2 baby ones alive covered in ick. They have no respect for them so I never want to buy from them again. Unfortunately they are the only ones who sell figure 8's so I was wondering how ordering fish online goes. I live in hawaii so will that effect anything? Please give me your experiences and advice. Thanks!

[Dadof4]

Generally ordering by mail has been pretty uneventful for me, and I live in Middle-of-nowhere Wisconsin. Got fish in the middle of January without incident too. Being in Hawaii may cause problems and if you read the shipping from most sites they say they only deliver to the lower 48 and shipping livestock to Hawaii is generally illegal. Try the LFS again but have them order one for you and be there to pick it up when the shipment arrives, before they put it in a tank. That way you can assure that is goes in to a healthy tank and will get optimal care right away.

[Black Widow]

BUT Hawaii is an American state so surely having something shipped from mainland USA to another US Territory (Hawaii) is not illegal, as it is WITHIN US Borders ?

[xrayjeeper83]

Id call http://www.wetspottropicalfish.com/ they are in portland oregon. Making them fairly close

[xrayjeeper83]

Id also do a search for fish stores in hawaii

[Dadof4]

BUT Hawaii is an American state so surely having something shipped from mainland USA to another US Territory (Hawaii) is not illegal, as it is WITHIN US Borders ?

Hawaii is a bit different. Even though it is a US State it is a very unique ecosystem and a fragile one. There have been a bunch of species introduced either by accident (shipping, trade, etc) or intentionally introduced (pet owners that can't handle them and let them go, gardeners that think a certain flower would look pretty) that have no natural predators and now grow unabated. The state of Hawaii has put sever restrictions on what can and can be brought in, especially plants, fish (not as much so), and animals so they can protect the ecosystem.

[SeanPwns]

i checked that website, wetspottropicalfish but theres no figure 8. and the other stores sell other puffers like the avacado puffer,gold puffer, etc. but I really like the figure 8's. They said the only way they'll get a new shipment is when the ick covered puffers get sold. so maybe i'll have to give them up????

[Pufferpunk]

Yes, I can get corals shipped to me from HI but I better not try shipping one there!

[hadla]

they actually think someones going to buy ick covered puffers from them? what are they on?