Education Hub · Guide 43

Inside the Parcel: How We Pack Live Feed to Survive the Journey

A snail or shrimp doesn't experience a parcel the way you do. Here's exactly what goes into every box, and why.

Two Very Different Journeys

Snails and shrimp don't travel the same way, because they don't tolerate the journey the same way. Snails are remarkably resilient to short spells out of water and modest temperature drift — they can seal into their shell and simply wait things out. Shrimp can't do that. They're far more sensitive to temperature swings and oxygen levels, which is exactly why they get a heavier packaging spec and a faster delivery service.

What Goes Into a Shrimp Parcel

Every shrimp order travels inside a sealed water bag within an insulated bubble-wrap liner, cushioned with packing peanuts, wrapped in kraft paper, and boxed. A small amount of java moss goes into the bag itself — it gives the shrimp something to hold onto and grip, which noticeably reduces stress in transit compared to open water. Every box carries "This Way Up" and live-animal stickers so it's handled correctly at every stage, and it always travels on a next-day guaranteed service, never standard post.

Component	Purpose
Insulated bubble-wrap bag	Buffers against temperature swings outside
Java moss	Something to grip — reduces stress in open water
Packing peanuts + kraft wrap	Impact protection in transit and sorting
Live-animal + orientation stickers	Correct handling by couriers and sorting staff

What Goes Into a Snail or Culture Parcel

Snails travel lighter — a secure, leak-proof bag with enough water to keep them fully submerged, inside a padded outer, on a tracked next-day service. It's a simpler spec because it needs to be: snails handle the same journey with far more margin for error than shrimp do, so we're not spending on protection they don't need. Live cultures (microworm, and vinegar eels once restocked) travel in sealed, breathable containers designed to survive a day or two in transit without disturbing the culture itself.

If Something Does Go Wrong

Even with all of this, transit is never zero-risk — that's exactly what our Replacement Insurance exists for. Once your parcel arrives, our next guide covers exactly what to check and how to handle the first few minutes.