prevent bad reviews being posted on-line.
Lastly, ask the supplier some questions directly. If it is not obvious from their catalogue or website, email or
call them and ask about their shipment methods – do they use the official “live animal” method through
Australia Post or a courier? Will you get a tracking number? How do they pack the box, do they use a
heat/cold pad? What is their policy on DOA (Dead On Arrival)?
Some On-line Suppliers With a Good Track Record
I hesitate to recommend any business in this area because ownership, staff and policies can change at any
time, but if I was asked right now to recommend on-line aquarium livestock suppliers, I'd give two of them five
stars:
Aquagreen – a CDAS sponsor in the Northern Territory. Dave Wilson, the owner, collects, breed and grows
his own stock of (mostly) native fish and aquatic plants. He also carries a small range of “dry goods”. For
me, Dave's shipments have never failed to arrive in great condition and he is a “model” shipper that I wish
more suppliers would copy.
Coburg Aquarium – is a BIG retail aquarium shop in Melbourne and they do mailorder through their website.
They have a good range and their prices are good and, more importantly, they pack and ship like
professionals. They are always easy to deal with by phone or email too.
I would also recommend Liverpool Creek Aquariums for aquatic plants. While the shipping protocols for
plants can be a bit more relaxed than those for animals, these guys do a good job.
There are several others that I know have a good reputation with other club members but which I haven't yet
dealt with personally. These include Second Nature Aquarium in Orange NSW, who have a very tempting
catalogue.
That's a pretty small list and I'm not going to put in writing what I think of a few others who have let me (and
several dozen fish) down badly. Let's just say that if I'd done the research I've advocated above, I would
never have ordered from them in the first place! If in doubt, ask on the CDAS forums.