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- | testing | + | ====== Shipping Zebrafish Protocols ====== |
+ | Zebrafish shipments require special packaging to provide a controlled environment for fish while in transit and careful documentation to ensure expedient delivery. Because customs, animal welfare and biosafety regulations, | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===== 1. Packaging of Embryos ===== | ||
+ | |||
+ | * Label tissue culture flasks with line specific information such as line name, allele designation, | ||
+ | * Add 200 ml of 0.5X Embryo Medium with Methylene Blue to the flask(s).\\ | ||
+ | * Add 100 embryos per flask and close lid tightly, if in doubt, add Parafilm around the cap (Fig. C,D).\\ | ||
+ | * Fill shipping box about 1/3 with Styrofoam packing peanuts, then place flask(s) with embryos in its center (Fig. F), and fill any remaining space with additional packing peanuts (Fig. G).\\ | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===== 2. Packaging of Adults ===== | ||
+ | |||
+ | * Write information on the plastic bag (line name and allele, # of fish, date of birth) or attach a label with the information (Fig. D).\\ | ||
+ | * Add the following to a square bottom plastic bag:\\ | ||
+ | - Approximately 1/3 fish water\\ | ||
+ | - ClorAM-X ammonia binder (1.5 ml ClorAM-X per liter of fish water)\\ | ||
+ | - Fish. For US or priority over night shipments, place 20 fish/ | ||
+ | * Close the bag trying to trap as much air as possible: Open the top of the bag wide, quickly grasp the top closing it off and then twist keeping pressure in the bag. The bag should contain approximately 2/3 air and 1/3 water when closed. | ||
+ | * Close bag by knotting or twisting the bag so the top doubles over. Rubber-band this portion. | ||
+ | * Place the bag of fish inside another plastic bag! Line bags up (by their seams), so they are in the same orientation. | ||
+ | * Place bagged fish in the shipping box and fill the remaining space with Styrofoam peanuts.\\ | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===== 3. General Packaging and Labeling ===== | ||
+ | |||
+ | * During winter months, a heat pack should be placed in the box to avoid or minimize temperature drops when the package is exposed to outside temperatures. Punch a small hole in the center of the Styrofoam lid (not cardboard!) to allow oxygen to reach the heat pack. Activate heat pack and tape it to the inner side of the lid, covering the hole (Fig. H). | ||
+ | * Place the Styrofoam lid on the box. Thick Styrofoam insulates the fish from outside temperature changes and also prevents water spills in case the plastic bags leak. | ||
+ | * Close the cardboard box and seal with sturdy packing tape. | ||
+ | * Place the following labels and documents on the outside of the box, including: | ||
+ | | ||
+ | | ||
+ | | ||
+ | * ZIRC currently uses World Courier for the following countries: Austria, Australia, China, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Italy, New Zealand, Spain, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, all South American countries, South Korea, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===== 4. Shipping Documentation ===== | ||
+ | The paperwork for standard international distribution may vary due to country-specific requirements for customs and health declarations/ | ||
+ | - Customs Statement | ||
+ | - Customs Invoice (in triplicate) | ||
+ | - Import permit (of the receiving country), if required and | ||
+ | - A Declaration of Health | ||
+ | - If a the importing country requires a USDA endorsed Health Certification, | ||
+ | ZIRC provides templates of documents 1. – 4. upon request and on its site: http:// | ||
+ | If a USDA endorsed Health Certificate is required, information can be obtained from the Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA): (http:// | ||
+ | If a country requires certification that the exporting facility is free of a specific OIE reportable pathogen you should contact the USDA Area Office. In this case a USDA Veterinary Medical Officer may need to schedule sampling and diagnostic testing of fish and possibly conduct a facility inspection.\\ | ||
+ | Complete the health certificate for the shipment and add additional information as specified on the import permit. | ||
+ | Importantly, | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===== 5. Zebrafish Import to the US ===== | ||
+ | When receiving a shipment of zebrafish from abroad, a custom declaration (Form 3-177) must be filed with the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Visit the http:// | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===== Shipping Materials ===== | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | === 1. Styrofoam Boxes, nested in cardboard box: === | ||
+ | |||
+ | * VWR International, | ||
+ | * Small box dimensions 8" L X 6" W X 9" H; Catalog number 14100-412 | ||
+ | * Medium box dimensions 12" L X 10" W X 7" H; Catalog number 14100-402 | ||
+ | * Extra-large box dimensions 22” L X 15” W X 15” H; Catalog number 15714-704, Superior Shipping, http:// | ||
+ | |||
+ | === 2. Solutions: | ||
+ | * Ammonia binder: ClorAM-X, Reed Mariculture, | ||
+ | * Sterile Fish System Water | ||
+ | |||
+ | === 3. Styrofoam packing peanuts: === | ||
+ | * do not use water dissolvable cellulose! | ||
+ | |||
+ | === 4. Heat Packs: === | ||
+ | * Superior Shipping, http:// | ||
+ | * For the UK: http:// | ||
+ | * 40 hour pack for domestic (overnight) shipments | ||
+ | * 60-72 hour packs for international (2-4 day) shipments | ||
+ | |||
+ | === 5. Live fish labels: === | ||
+ | * Customs and veterinary health certification documents for international shipments (Fig. B) | ||
+ | * address, courier labels and document pouch (Fig. I) | ||
+ | |||
+ | === 6. Embryo Packaging: === | ||
+ | * 250 ml Tissue culture flasks, Fisher Scientific, catalog # 10-126-5; http:// | ||
+ | * VWR International, | ||
+ | * 0.5X Embryo Medium (E2) | ||
+ | * Methylene Blue (optional) | ||
+ | |||
+ | === 7. Adult Packaging: === | ||
+ | * Polyethylene plastic bags: at least 0.003 mm or 1.2x10-4 inches thick). | ||
+ | * Gulf Coast Plastics for bulk quantity, http:// | ||
+ | * Superior Shipping, http:// | ||
+ | * Check any pet store for small quantities | ||
+ | * Average size for holding 10-20 fish (10" X 18" (.003 mil)) | ||
+ | * Note: Square bottom bags can be mad from the above using a plastic heat/bag sealer. | ||
+ | * Pure oxygen (not required, recommended) | ||
+ | * Rubber-bands, | ||
+ | |||
+ | ** images here ** | ||
+ | {{ : | ||
+ | === Figure Legend === | ||
+ | Packaging of embryos and adults for shipping. A) Thick-walled Styrofoam box inside cardboard box, labeled as indicated in panel B). C) Adults are prepared in labeled breeding cages, embryos in labeled 250 ml flasks. D) Adults and their label are transferred to two leak-proof polyethylene bags and closed with plenty of air or oxygen. The Styrofoam box is partially filled with Styrofoam packing peanuts before the bag or flask is added (E,F). Completely filled Styrofoam box. Packing peanuts prevent movement of bag or flask. For the cold season or for cold-climate destinations, | ||
+ | |||
+ | === Sources: === | ||
+ | |||
+ | //Varga, Z.M. (2016) Aquaculture, | ||
+ | http:// | ||
+ | |||
+ | and\\ | ||
+ | === The Zebrafish Book: === | ||
+ | 4th Edition (2000) Chapter 1.7 (online): | ||
+ | http:// | ||
+ | |||
+ | 5th Edition (2007) Pages 1.24 - 1.39 (print): | ||
+ | http:// |