I found Wakin on Ebay

[nmpondguy]

There's a guy selling Wakin on eBay: 1 Pair of 3-4 inch Wakin for $9.99.  I thought that was a good price, so I took a chance and orderd 2 pair.  Well, one of the fish that I picked out was not there when he went to pack them up, so he threw in an extra one.  So, I got 5 Wakin for $35.93 total including USPS Priority shipping!!  They arrived two days later in a single box - 3 in one bag and 2 in another.  Here they are on the day they arrived (6 weeks ago).
 

 I just put them in the pond.  They're in hiding now, but after they get used to their new home I should be able to get a shot of them all together...

[SueSTx]

Pretty fish

[Kat]

Good looking fish for a decent price 

[miguynmkoi]

Nice color and markings.  I can't remember how much I paid for mine locally.

[nmpondguy]

Thanks all.  I know some folks can probably get Wakin locally for a better price.  I haven't seen them in my town, so have to buy online.  I've bought Wakin from a couple of web sites over the years, and usually spent more on shipping and handling than I did for this entire order.  Now, if he would just get some black ones...

[greenthumbnails]

How were they packaged? I'm just curious as I've never heard of fish being sent in the mail through USPS before; heard of fedex same day though. How did he protect them from being crushed/tossed or bag leaking?

[nmpondguy]

They were packed in a USPS flat rate Priority Mail box with solid Styrofoam padding on all six sides.  The fish were packaged in a  small amount of water: 3 in 1 bag and 2  in another bag. Both bags were placed together into another bag.  The seller said in his listing something to the effect of they would be packed with enough oxygen to survive a week.  That's probably an overstatement but not a problem since they should theoretically be in transit 3 days max.  Mine arrived in two days.

[LeeAnne151]

What is this eBay seller's name?

[Jennie in MT]

Hi LeeAnne!!  I PMed asking too. Didn't get an answer, but maybe NM will come around again soon.  I also went to his website but did not see a 'contact us' link.  Show us the naaaaame!  LOL

[LeeAnne151]

Those are pretty fish. I've never once seen Wakin for sale locally.

[cindy]

I have to smile, I have Wakin babies.  Thats a koi pellet. That small and they have their signature tail

[Mike S.]

Nice having the babies, isn't it?  Good for you!

I know some have reservations about fish being sent USPS, but it really wasn't that long ago that the US Mail was just about the only way it was done. (Well, not that long ago to me, anyway.)

Properly packed, 5 days or so is very easily possible. Not so expensive fish would typically be shipped with extras in the bag, to allow for a mortality or two, more expensive ones where shipped with fewer fish in the same size bag, to increase the survial rate. Less fish, more oxygen, fish tend to to very well.

We've been kind of spoiled with overnight shipping these days. (And I'm glad of it!)

Mike S.
Spring Hill, FL