How to Ship Corals

The vast majority of animals in pet shops have been shipped from somewhere else, sometimes across oceans and continents. Coral is no exception. However, coral is even more delicate than the most frail of aquarium fish. Additionally, some corals are as expensive as high-end saltwater fish. Shipping coral takes special techniques and great attention to detail. But with knowledge, patience and follow-through, once can ship coral around the world without incident.

Things You'll Need

Styrofoam bits (size varies base on specimens)
Rubber band
Plastic fish bag
Styrofoam-lined shipping container
Newspaper or similar filler
Compressed oxygen tank (not electronics cleaner)
Hand warmers or cold packs (optional, depending on weather)

Instructions

- 1
  Check the weather between yourself and the coral's destination. If there is extremely hot or cold weather, talk to the person to whom you are shipping to delay shipping until the weather is suitable.
- 2
  Talk to your local post office. Postal regulations allow you to ship live animals like corals, but smaller post offices might not be aware of this. Determine the best time to drop off your coral so its not sitting at the post office all day.
- 3
  Attach your coral, or its base rock, to a piece of Styrofoam so it floats upside down in the bag. Skip this step for unattached mushroom corals and star polyps.
- 4
  Bag your coral in a fish bag with water from the tank. The bag should be large enough to give your coral three to six inches of room around it. Fill the bag with oxygen. Close it with a rubber band and place rubber bands on the corners so the coral cannot get stuck in them. Double-bag the corals.
- 5
  Place the bag(s) in a sturdy, Styrofoam-lined animal-shipping box. Stuff with newspaper to secure them in place. Duct tape cold packs or hand warmers to the inside of the box if the coral is being shipped in inclement weather.
- 6
  Ship your corals via overnight delivery.