From Far East Farm Pond to UK Aquarium: Will Fish Imported from Asia Survive?
A fish travelling thousands of miles from Asia to your aquarium might sound like a risky prospect. How does such a small animal cope with a journey involving packing, airport handling and an international flight?
With appropriate preparation, careful packing and good care on arrival, imported fish can survive the journey and thrive in their new homes.
At The Betta Box UK, we have 12 years of experience transhipping ornamental fish. Over that time, we have experienced losses of approximately 1% across the fish we have imported. That reflects our experience, rather than a guarantee for any individual shipment, but it offers reassurance to anyone considering their first import.
Understanding how fish travel—and preparing for their arrival—helps give them the best possible start.
How Aquarium Fish Travel from Asia
Many fish kept in UK aquariums have already travelled internationally before reaching a shop. Southeast Asia is an established centre for breeding and exporting ornamental fish, including bettas and many other freshwater favourites.
The journey is carefully planned around the animals being transported. Species, size, behaviour, water requirements and expected transit time all influence how a shipment should be packed.
Preparing Fish Before Travel
Fish are normally fasted before shipping to reduce the amount of waste they produce during the journey. The appropriate fasting period depends on the species, size and holding conditions.
Fasting helps protect water quality, but it does not eliminate waste production. Fish continue to release ammonia, including through their gills, even when they have not recently eaten.
That is why preparation, stocking density and journey time all matter.
Water and Oxygen
Fish are packed in securely sealed bags containing suitable shipping water and a gas space above it. Oxygen is commonly used to help maintain an adequate supply throughout the journey.
The amount of water, oxygen and space needed varies between species. A small betta and a large fish require different packing arrangements.
Strong bags, secure seals and appropriate protection help reduce the risk of leaks and damage during handling.
Insulated Shipping Boxes
The bags are placed inside insulated shipping boxes, usually protected by an outer cardboard carton.
Insulation slows temperature changes as the shipment moves between vehicles, airport facilities and aircraft. Where appropriate, heat or cooling packs can provide additional temperature support.
These measures help manage conditions, but they cannot make a shipment immune to extreme weather or prolonged delays. Reliable logistics remain essential.
Why Is the Shipping Water Sometimes Blue or Yellow?
You may notice that the water in an arriving bag is coloured.
Some exporters use treatments or conditioners as part of their shipping procedures. These may affect the water’s appearance, but colour alone cannot reliably tell you what has been added or why.
Blue water may contain methylene blue, for example, while yellow colouring can have several possible causes. Do not assume that coloured water contains a sedative or guarantees protection against disease.
If you want to know what has been used for your fish, ask your supplier or exporter.
The Benefits of Individual Packing
Many fish imported through our service are individually packed, particularly species that need to be kept apart.
Individual packing prevents fish from fighting or injuring one another inside a shared bag. It also allows the packing arrangements to be tailored to each fish.
However, individual packing does not remove every risk. Fish still depend on suitable water, adequate oxygen, appropriate temperatures and careful handling. Packing should always suit the species concerned.
Our experience shows that fish can travel successfully through well-managed import arrangements. Nevertheless, we are transporting living animals, and occasional losses can happen.
How Transhipping with The Betta Box UK Works
You choose your fish and purchase them from your own supplier. We coordinate the import through our exporter partners and arrange the UK side of the journey.
Once your fish have arrived, you can collect them in Warrington, Cheshire, or arrange UK delivery through our service.
Before booking, make sure your supplier knows the relevant shipment deadlines and packing requirements. If you are unsure about any part of the process, contact us before arranging for your fish to travel.
Have the Right Food Ready
Getting your fish home is only part of helping them settle. Having suitable food ready can make the first few days easier.
Our feeding recommendations come from 12 years of practical experience importing fish.
For Betta splendens & Small Fish
We recommend having live Daphnia or live brine shrimp available where possible.
In our experience, these foods can be particularly useful for encouraging newly arrived bettas to start feeding. Their movement can attract the attention of fish that are initially reluctant to take other foods.
Ask your supplier what your betta has been eating before shipment so you can also offer something familiar.
For Larger Fish
For larger imports, we recommend having quality frozen foods suitable for the species ready, rather than relying solely on flakes or pellets during the first few days.
Depending on the fish’s diet and size, suitable options may include:
Frozen bloodworms.
Mysis shrimp.
Krill.
Other appropriately sized, species-suitable foods.
These foods are not interchangeable for every species. Choose according to the fish’s feeding requirements and the supplier’s advice.
Offer small portions once the fish has settled sufficiently to feed, and remove uneaten food. Avoid trying to compensate for the journey with a large meal.
Prepare Your Aquarium Before Arrival
Your aquarium should be ready before your fish travel.
That means a fully cycled filter, suitable water conditions, a stable temperature and appropriate shelter. Check that ammonia and nitrite are at zero and that the aquarium suits the species you are importing.
Where possible, use a separate, properly equipped quarantine aquarium. This allows you to observe new fish and establish feeding before introducing them to an existing collection.
Keep lighting subdued and disturbance low while your new arrivals settle.
Acclimation: Why One Method Does Not Suit Every Shipment
Acclimation matters, but an hour of drip acclimation is not automatically the right approach for every imported fish.
During transport, ammonia and carbon dioxide can accumulate in the bag. Carbon dioxide can lower the water’s pH. Once the bag is opened, carbon dioxide can escape and pH may rise, increasing the proportion of ammonia present in its more toxic form. Adding higher-pH aquarium water can also affect this balance.
This means leaving a fish in opened shipping water for a prolonged period can create additional risk.
At the same time, significant differences in temperature or water chemistry need careful management. The appropriate approach depends on the species, the journey and the condition of both the shipping water and the receiving aquarium.
Contact us before your fish arrive for acclimation advice appropriate to your shipment. Have your aquarium temperature and water-test results available, and let us know if you expect a substantial difference from the supplier’s conditions.
Avoid adding shipping water to your aquarium, and keep handling to a minimum during transfer.
Will Your Imported Fish Thrive?
A long journey does not prevent a fish from living a healthy life in your aquarium.
Our experience over 12 years has shown that fish can be imported successfully, with losses of approximately 1% across the fish we have imported. Careful preparation and packing help manage the journey; a suitable aquarium and attentive care support the fish afterwards.
Before ordering, speak to your supplier about feeding and water conditions, check the import arrangements and prepare your aquarium.
If you have questions about an upcoming shipment, contact The Betta Box UK before your fish travel.
Share Your New Arrivals
Have you welcomed new fish through The Betta Box UK?
Join our website community to share photographs, compare experiences and discuss fishkeeping with fellow hobbyists. Let your fish settle first, then show us how they are getting on.
© 2026 The Betta Box UK. All rights reserved.
This article provides general fishkeeping information and recommendations based on our experience. Requirements vary between species and shipments. Follow advice appropriate to your fish and contact us before arrival if you are unsure.
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