Live Fish Shipping Is Different — Here's Why It Works
Shipping live koi isn't like shipping a t-shirt. It takes careful timing, expert packing, and a carrier that can guarantee next-morning delivery. At Crystal Creek Koi Farm, we've dialed in every step of the process so your fish arrives healthy, vibrant, and ready for your pond.
Step 1: Order by Tuesday Midnight
All live koi orders must be placed by Tuesday at midnight (CDT) to ship that week. This cutoff ensures we have time to prepare your fish and coordinate with UPS for Wednesday pickup. Orders placed after Tuesday midnight will ship the following Wednesday.
Step 2: Expert Packing — Your Fish Is in Good Hands
On Wednesday morning, your koi is carefully packed by our team using a proven process designed for live fish transport:
- Pure oxygen is pumped into the bag to keep your fish calm and oxygenated throughout the journey
- Insulated foam liner inside the shipping box maintains a stable temperature
- Heat or cold packs are added as needed based on the season and your destination's weather
- Each fish is packed individually to prevent stress and injury
We treat every fish like it's going to our own pond.
Step 3: Ships Wednesday via UPS Next Day Air Early
Your order ships every Wednesday via UPS Next Day Air Early — the fastest overnight service UPS offers. This means your fish is in transit for the shortest possible time, arriving at your door Thursday morning, typically before noon.
We currently ship live koi to most US states. We do not ship live fish to Alaska, California, Hawaii, Maine, or New York.
Step 4: What to Do When Your Box Arrives
When your koi arrives Thursday morning, here's what to do:
- Open the box immediately — don't leave it sitting in heat or cold
- Float the bag in your pond or quarantine tank for 15–20 minutes to equalize the temperature
- Slowly add pond water to the bag over another 10–15 minutes to acclimate your fish to your water chemistry
- Release your koi and watch them explore their new home
We recommend having a quarantine tank ready for new arrivals — keeping new fish separate for 2–4 weeks protects your existing pond fish while your new koi settles in.
Step 5: Live Arrival Guaranteed
Every live koi order from Crystal Creek Koi Farm is backed by our full live arrival guarantee. If your fish does not arrive alive, we will replace it or refund you — no questions asked.
To make a claim, simply contact us within 2 hours of delivery with a photo of the fish in the unopened bag. That's all we need to make it right.
Questions?
If you have any questions about our shipping process, don't hesitate to reach out at info@crystalcreekkoifarm.com. We're happy to walk you through anything before you place your order.