Flying with fish

ZachR32 · Jul 23, 2018

Anyone transport live fish using an airline before? I'll be flying home and want to bring some of my bigger fish back for a new build I will be doing. Looking for some recommendations or advice if anyone has experience, thanks

4FordFamily · Jul 23, 2018

I don’t think that’ll work that’s a liquid I’m sure there are laws regarding that

DracoKat · Jul 23, 2018

I suggest overnighting the fish via PO. Have it arrive when you are home.

ZachR32 · Jul 23, 2018

I thought I had read about people shipping them using the airline they were flying, I just couldn't find the threads

Redleg · Jul 23, 2018

Call the airline and see about putting them into checked luggage.

swensos · Jul 23, 2018

TSA has rules on fish. Check their website. I think you can carry them on, but they will definitely look them over to make sure the fish is alive.

swensos · Jul 23, 2018

https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/live-fish

It says you have to carry them on, can’t check them.

Daniel@R2R · Jul 23, 2018

You can carry them on. Last time I flew with corals, a TSA agent actually said they prefer fish over corals bc it's pretty easy to see the liquid isn't toxic if a fish is swimming around in it. LOL

wowkingjames · Jul 23, 2018

Thanks for the info....

Tennsquire · Jul 23, 2018

I've flown numerous times with frags in my checked luggage (inside of insulated thermoses). I suppose that there's always a chance of them being taken out, but I've never had a problem.

Whiskyclown · Jul 23, 2018

Well theres the the answer need a big container mix with coral and fish

Overboard · Jul 23, 2018

I have looked into it and decided it’s not practical. TSA has guidelines that permit live fish and coral as carry-on, but not in checked luggage. The complication is the airline has to permit it, and that is my biggest problem. Delta, United, and Southwest do not allow fish or corals in the cabin. I decided shipping the fish or corals via Fedex or UPS is best for me. An alternative is air cargo.

Way back in 2003, I brought a dozen aquacultured clams back from Palau, as a carry-on. Ran into some problems in Honolulu, but finally got them through. Those days are gone, I think.

vetteguy53081 · Jul 23, 2018

Just made an attempt and Delta Air suggested use their Air Cargo . issue was that most air cargo facilities close at 11pm. If flight arrives after 9:30p, you have to wait until next day to pick up at cost of $69 (which wasn't bad)....based on 4 gallons of water.
FedEx and UPS next day air are best bets Door to Door service arrival by 10:30a. Ship your aquatics is also available but not the cheapest

Frogg · Jul 28, 2018

Awesome questions and information. I am flying to cali for Christmas and I'm so jealous of all the livestock I see out there. So I was wanting to visit some shops and members, and bring back some goodies. But now it's looking prohibitive. Might be worth the money for shipping, and DOA guarantee.

ZachR32 · Aug 7, 2018

didnt end up having the time frame to fly the fish with me, but I was considering doing delta cargo. seems reasonable and pretty straight forward. I did also want to mention that I 'dry shipped' some coral. wrapped a bunch of sps frags in wet paper towels and bagged them, put them in a cooler, and went thru security without any questions asked. all the corals made it in a 12 hour journey.

neoGeorge · Feb 22, 2019

Overboard said:
I have looked into it and decided it’s not practical. TSA has guidelines that permit live fish and coral as carry-on, but not in checked luggage. The complication is the airline has to permit it, and that is my biggest problem. Delta, United, and Southwest do not allow fish or corals in the cabin. I decided shipping the fish or corals via Fedex or UPS is best for me. An alternative is air cargo.

Way back in 2003, I brought a dozen aquacultured clams back from Palau, as a carry-on. Ran into some problems in Honolulu, but finally got them through. Those days are gone, I think.

Frontier Airlines is a no go as well...