Tiny Cories

[stormhawk]

Wright,

Guess what? Even the Brits are having problems with importers bringing in pygmaeus instead of hastatus.

There's a new batch of hastatus at the store. If you want them, let me know before someone goes and scoops them all. Tomorrow's our National Day holidays and the LFS is closed so I have a day to contemplate on whether to go down and get 'em.

Ron,

As for the pygmaeus, they're still at the store. If you want them just give the uncle a call and check for availability. They're still young though.

[stormhawk]

Wright, do check your PM box. I left you a message regarding the hastatus.
Going down to the LFS later today to check whether they're still around. If yes then I'll get some more to add on to my shoal at home.

[Green Baron]

Jianyang,
I would like to get a few hastatus. Which LFS has it ?

[RonWill]

Wright and Bill,
A package of pygmy cories is heading your way later. Not alot, but it's the best I can do under prevailing circumstances.

As 'Perishable Samples', there will be 11 Corydoras habrosus, 20 C. hastatus and 10 C. pygmaeus, shared as you guys deem appropriate. I had hoped to pop in some shrimps as well but the weight was adding up very quickly with the "double-bagging/air-pocket/more water" issue. A bigger, sturdier box would have made that possible but SpeedPost's charges (almost equivalent to courier service) would be just as prohibiting. Sorry.

Another disturbing bit of info that was brought to my attention is the increased random Custom checks of incoming packages entering the USA. It's a gamble to thread on the grey declaration path but if a reliable transhipper (read: affordable, trustworthy fella who won't play punk) is available on either Coast, let me have his particulars so that future outgoing stuffs to you folks are less stressful or worrying (for me, at least).

Keep me updated. I'll be tracking it and let's all cross our fingers.

[ruyle]

Ronnie,
Wright is 2000 miles closer to you, so it would probably be best to send
all to him, or his left coast trusted agent He could then send me some,
as is his wont, when they are stabilized over here.

Wright, come out, come out, wherever you are.....

Bill

[whuntley]

I be here all along. What you think?

Best if you can get the postal service to route them via Los Angeles. I'm a lot closer to San Francisco, but the Sierras are in the way. It is one day out of LA, but 2-3 days from SF to here. When I order blackworms from Fresno, 50 miles SW, they have to go to LA (250 miles SE),and then 300 miles N to here, which is 2 days by DSL's fastest urgent "Payroll Rush" service.

Wright

[ruyle]

Please remove, thanks.

[ruyle]

Ronnie,
BTW, thank you very much!

Bill

[hobbit6003]

Hi Bill and Wright,

Sorry to disappoint you guys, but the cories has yet t be sent out.

You see, I volunteered to help Ron ship them out, since he's not really a day guy but the Post Office is.

As I was submitting the parcel to the officer in charge at the counter, he took a look and told me that it can't be shipped, as on it, we declared that it contained "Perishable samples /Corydoras Species/ hastatus, pygmaeus, hybrosu."

He then told me he certainly knew what corydoras means, as he keeps fishes! He told me he couldn't accept the parcel since the customs would not allow it to be ship, particularly as it looks huge and attarctive, all 1.3kg of it.

At the same time, he told me that since 13th June this year, all parcel over 1kg would require the sender submit his NRIC (Identification card) for record purposes, and this will severely compromise on our wish to remain as annonymous to the authority as possible. On that note, he advised me to take the parcel back, but was kind enough to give me some of the processing forms, hinting to me to try and repack them in smaller package and go find another post office to process it.

Thus, I've no choice but to take it back and inform Ron abt it....

I'm sure Ron will think of something, nce he wakes up from his baeuty sleep.

Cheers,

Kenny

[RonWill]

Wright and Bill,
Nothing good is to be expected if it has anything to do with my NRIC. In fact, the roll of red tape smells like decomposed cories

I'm very tempted to try regular air mail deposited into the night drop-box but shipping takes close to 2 weeks. The last packet to Wright took 19 days and personally doubt if the young cories will tolerate it. We can gamble with two or three separate, lighter 'grey' packages but courier charges will be high.

I've discussed this with a licenced fish exporter and he can help ONLY if you have a transhipper within the USA, with the necessary facilities. Shipping is via Express Courier Service and it's realistic to expect the handlers to each take a cut on the deal (remember there's no such thing as a free lunch)

Both of you have contributed much to the forum and personally, I will always remember that Bill has gone through much expense, attempting to establish some killie species locally (not forgetting other packages, of course).

I believe in reciprocating the goodwill received and appreciate the friendship even though we've not met in person. Please advise how I can best resolve the issue.

If we are to attempt anything 'less appropriate', suggestions ought to be off forum

[ruyle]

I'm very tempted to try regular air mail deposited into the night drop-box but shipping takes close to 2 weeks. The last packet to Wright took 19 days and personally doubt if the young cories will tolerate it. We can gamble with two or three separate, lighter 'grey' packages but courier charges will be high.

That's a wave-off on 1-2 right, there, Ghostrider: that flight pattern has
been canceled. Sorry, too many years working on military airbases
Ronnie, regular airmail would spell doom and death for the little darlings,
not worth the trouble. FedEx express would be the best way and I could
paypal you some extra fundage to support that. They are not so fussy
about what's in the package, either, or so I've found. As you said smaller packages is a good idea, as FedEx kills you on weight.

Unless Wright can come up with a cooperative transshipper, this is the
best way.

I wanted Wright to have these more than myself 'cuz you all know I'm
moving to LOS with my wife, right? If I want some of these when I'm
over there, I'll fly down (Ubon to Bangkok to SG) and grab them

Kenny, thanks for your efforts, always appreciated!

Bill

[RonWill]

The pygmies look haggard from being sloshed around and not having eaten since last Sunday night.

I'm letting them out of the bag, for time out to recuperate while I search for 'less attractive' shipping boxes. ETD coming Monday 22nd or earlier, if I can liaise in time with another forumer.

My breather bags are running out from all the double-bagging. Those who have extra 4" x 8" breathers please contact me off forum, so I'll have sufficient for repacking. One can either trade for killies or consider it a loan until my bag order arrives. Thanks.

I will thread the grey path next but for now, I need to rest and think.

[ruyle]

Ronnie, I'd check with Jianyang on his latest experiences with, what do
you guys call it, "SingComPost?" Courier service is the way to go
and ship direct to Wright. It gonna be spendy, tho, so let me know the
fees.

Bill

[stormhawk]

I've discussed this with a licenced fish exporter and he can help ONLY if you have a transhipper within the USA, with the necessary facilities. Shipping is via Express Courier Service and it's realistic to expect the handlers to each take a cut on the deal (remember there's no such thing as a free lunch)

I was given an email of a transhipper located in Colorado that might be able to help. I'll let you know when I'm over at your place in a few hours time, that is, if you're reading this now.

[RonWill]

Bill, I coined the 'ComPost' bit of it as frustration overwhelms and red-tapes stifle my creativity.

Those who ship often via Express mail*, Courier Service or equivalent, are aware of the spendy expense but I will not think of seeking renumeration. The monies pale in light of your unconditional generosity and Wright's, so let's just leave that issue aside for now.
*'Expense mail' sounds fitting

One thing I learnt from this episode, is the believed/conceived cories' need for a large air-pocket. Various packing shapes and sizes point me to one important thing; ie. to ship healthy, robust specimens!

I was tired and forgotten to unpack them. Released today, late afternoon. No casualties... good sign, I think, considering they were 'bubbled' for 3 days!

Meanwhile, I'm looking for 3 small sturdier foam boxes. 2 to Wright and 1 directly to you. What you don't get enough will have to wait, when the both of us go LFS shopping in SG (and finish the day with a few drafts) Sound good, eh?

Jian Yang, please discuss the transhipper with Wright and Bill, off forum and via email please. We really don't need the authorities to pile over the potential loop holes that might work in our favor.

[ruyle]

Meanwhile, I'm looking for 3 small sturdier foam boxes. 2 to Wright and 1 directly to you. What you don't get enough will have to wait, when the both of us go LFS shopping in SG (and finish the day with a few drafts) Sound good, eh?

You know I'll be looking forward to that!

Take care, Ronnie, and thanks!

Bill

ps I'll email you my work address, the missus is not at home

[RonWill]

Folks,
Jian Yang has a fried mainboard in his PC, so I'm posting on his behalf to inform those looking for Corydoras hastatus to check out the new arrival at Choong Sua LFS.

[whuntley]

Some day I hope to join you and Bill in tilting a few, Ronnie.

Meanwhile, I have just confirmed the fact that fish from SG probably will not get through customs without being opened. They are then immediately turned over to US Fish and Wildlife inspectors.

They (F&WL) must have a manifest/invoice that lists the scientific name of each species in the shipment and a customs value (nominally US$1/pair or some such). Normally customs asks for an individually signed invoice, in triplicate [That is, sign each copy separately.] for commercial shipments, or the green card for private mail.

F&WL then checks the fish names against the CITES list, US endangered species and forbidden lists, etc. to be sure you are not sending in Devil's Hole Pupfish, walking catfish, piranhas, etc. They must inspect the fish (which is free if they entered through an international airport that has a local F&WL office). You pay overtime for inspections out of normal business hours and/or travel if the box isn't local.

The reason we are stuck with ludicrously expen$ive couriers is that shipping any animals, dead or alive, is forbidden by international mail rules. Adding trans-shippers at either end or both makes it a real losing proposition for anything under a few hundred fish.

Singapore had a terrorist incident a while back that threatened US ships docking there for R&R. As a result, all packages will probably be opened and inspected at customs. I believe you should count on that, and use shipping methods that are legal (probably not mail).

I'm currently trying to get some FIL from SG out of the SF office of the US F&WL, and then either sent on to me or given over to a local BAKA member. The inspector is a kindly sort, who has put them in a 55G tank and is feeding them while we get the legalities straight. He doesn't want them dead any more than I do. His view is that we had two violations: first was no customs declaration or manifest listing the exact species and genus; second was the illegal shipment by international mail. I'll call him later today to give him the reg. mentioned below, and try to provide the missing manifest when he gives me the correct procedure to fix it.

For domestic mail, here, it helps to label the box as "PERISHABLE Small Cold-Blooded Animals per DMM CO22.3.3" and elsewhere "Keep at Room Temperature -- No Heat or Cold" I doubt if those will help on getting them through international mail, as the rules are no doubt different.

FedEx actually has the contract for domestic US Priority or Express Mail, and their folks are told to load all Perishables first and then fill the space with other packages. Non-perishable packages may be delayed a day or two awaiting space.

One clever label I have received that avoids calling direct attention to live fish, but isn't really a lie is:

"Live Laboratory Specimens (harmless)
FRAGILE
Please keep from extreme temperatures
Don't shake or throw"

It then even incorporates a cartoon of a smiling fish!

HTH

Wright

[stormhawk]

Folks,
Jian Yang has a fried mainboard in his PC, so I'm posting on his behalf to inform those looking for Corydoras hastatus to check out the new arrival at Choong Sua LFS.

Thanks for the note Ron and yes, the fried mainboard has been fixed. Upgraded my system to a better mainboard and a spanking new graphics card.

Its a whole lot faster now. Anyway, the hastatus are still in stock at the LFS and are looking good. I have 40 at home now and they will be on a breeding project, which I hope, is successful.

[turaco]

Found this little fellow in my planted tank & 2 other smaller ones in the filter


These are the parents. Jian yang, what species are those?