𝐁𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐁𝐮𝐲 𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐜𝐤 — 𝐂𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐞
Keeping aquarium livestock successfully requires planning, research, and proper aquarium conditions. The following guide is designed to help ensure the best possible outcome for both customers and the animals we supply.
𝐄𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐓𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐈𝐬 𝐅𝐮𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐂𝐲𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐝
Before introducing any livestock, your aquarium should be fully cycled and biologically stable.
This means:
• Ammonia should be 0 ppm
• Nitrite should be 0 ppm
• Nitrate should be within safe levels for the species
Adding livestock to an uncycled aquarium can cause stress, illness, or death.
𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐬
Different fish, corals, and invertebrates have different requirements.
Customers should consider:
• Tank size requirements
• Diet requirements
• Behaviour and temperament
• Compatibility with existing livestock
• Water parameter requirements
If you are unsure whether a species is suitable for your aquarium, please contact us before purchasing.
𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤 𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐜𝐤 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲
Some species can be territorial or aggressive.
Examples include:
• Certain tang species
• Dottybacks
• Some wrasses
• Territorial damselfish
Introducing incompatible species can lead to stress or injury.
Customers should ensure all livestock is compatible with their current aquarium inhabitants.
𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲
When receiving livestock deliveries:
• Someone should be present to receive the parcel
• Livestock should be unpacked immediately
• Temperature acclimation should begin straight away
Leaving livestock in packaging for extended periods can cause serious harm.
𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐜𝐤 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐲
Proper acclimation helps livestock adjust to new water conditions.
Recommended steps:
Float the bag in the aquarium for 15–20 minutes
Slowly mix small amounts of tank water into the bag
Continue this process for 20–30 minutes
Transfer livestock gently without adding bag water to the tank
𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐜𝐤
New arrivals may take time to settle.
It is normal for livestock to:
• Hide initially
• Refuse food temporarily
• Show cautious behaviour
Always monitor livestock closely during the first few days.
𝐖𝐞 𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐓𝐨 𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐩
Our goal is to help customers build healthy, thriving aquariums.
If you need advice regarding:
• Tank suitability
• Livestock compatibility
• Feeding or care requirements
please contact Astarte Aquaria and we will be happy to help.
𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡
At Astarte Aquaria we believe in:
• Responsible aquarium keeping
• Healthy livestock
• Educated aquarists
Taking the time to prepare properly gives livestock the best possible chance to thrive in their new home.
𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐖𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐅𝐢𝐬𝐡 & 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐬
𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐖𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐅𝐢𝐬𝐡 & 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐬
Astarte Aquaria
At Astarte Aquaria we take great care to ensure that every piece of livestock is packed safely and securely for transport. Our packing process is designed to minimise stress and maintain stable conditions during transit.
𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐁𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠
Before any livestock is packed for shipment, our team carefully checks each animal to ensure it is healthy and suitable for travel.
Livestock that shows any signs of stress or health concerns will not be shipped.
𝐎𝐱𝐲𝐠𝐞𝐧-𝐅𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐁𝐚𝐠𝐬
Fish and invertebrates are packed in strong aquatic transport bags containing clean water and pure oxygen.
This ensures livestock has adequate oxygen during transit.
Each bag is sealed securely to prevent leaks and maintain stable water conditions.
𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐏𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠
All livestock shipments are placed in insulated shipping boxes designed to maintain stable temperatures during transport.
These insulated containers help protect livestock from sudden temperature changes.
𝐓𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥
Depending on the season and weather conditions we may include:
• Heat packs during colder months
• Cooling measures during warmer weather
This helps ensure livestock remains within a safe temperature range while in transit.
𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐥 & 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠
Corals and delicate invertebrates are packed carefully to prevent damage during shipping.
They may be secured in:
• Protective bags
• Stabilised containers
• Protective packing materials
This prevents movement and protects delicate tissue.
𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲
All livestock shipments are sent using next-day courier services to minimise travel time.
This helps ensure livestock spends as little time in transit as possible.
𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤𝐬
Before dispatch, every shipment is checked to ensure:
• Bags are sealed securely
• Packaging is properly insulated
• Temperature protection is included if required
• Shipping labels are correctly applied
Only once these checks are complete is the parcel dispatched.
𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐆𝐨𝐚𝐥
Our goal is simple:
Healthy livestock, packed properly, arriving safely.
If you have any questions about livestock shipping or preparation, please contact Astarte Aquaria before placing your order.