Bringing Fish & Corals on Airplane!! {HOW TO}

Yes, you can bring live fish and corals through TSA at the airport for US domestic flight. You can bring more than 3.1oz of liquid IF it has fish or coral in it (it means that the liquid is not dangerous and is life sustaining). Here is the TSA rule regarding live fish:
www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/live-fish
Different airline may have different rule towards bringing live fish onboard, from my reading, most will not have an issue as they have passed through TSA, but some airlines may charge extra for bringing a pet into the cabin. If you want to be sure that you are 100% compliant, it may be a good idea to call your airline ahead of time to see where they stand when it comes to having fish & corals on the flight.
This is ONLY for domestic flight within the USA. Obviously different rules apply to different country and also when you cross the US border.
This has been my experience talking to 4 different TSA agents (DC & Orlando) and 2 TSA managers (Orlando), and from my research online. As a disclaimer, I would say YMMV so please do additional research ahead of time.

[@AlexsReef]

Hey brother I work for tsa... So what happened is right. Fish and coral are allowed to travel. It doesn't happen often, more fresh water than our side of the hobby.

[@InappropriateReefer]

Thanks Alex, always good to have more confirmation that this is the case!

[@AlexsReef]

Inappropriate Reefer brother like I was saying, over 2 years... I have done a gold fish, a Cory cat fish(s), and a few betta's. Fish traveling is very far and few in-between. The problem comes down to customs and state laws. Like some algea can't be sold or taken into California, and some animals or foods, seeds, ect... Can't be taken into or out of some countries.

[@jeffeyce]

Alex's Reef hey, how about going abroad to the UK? Any ideas?

[@AlexsReef]

Jeffrey CE couldn't tell you, u.k. rules and u.s rules are another ball game. I would bet that customs would be the hardest to deal with

[@ugeshnipillay2546]

What about traveling from China with fish? I have Zeus for almost 5 years 😰 ...does anyone know the chinese regulations regarding this?

[@InfamousAquatics]

I hope their little ears didn't pop!

[@tonyv3793]

Great info. I liked that you tried fish, coral, and macro algae to see what was allowed.

[@the_flying_airplane5335]

So glad I found this! I’ve got a fish in my apartment at school that I wanna bring back home with me. Glad to know it can be done!

[@winnshwevertley9074]

Top shelf is by far the best shop in Orlando, these guys have great livestock and are incredibly knowledgeable without being pushy or condescending. Id recommended them to anyone living in the area or visiting the area

[@InappropriateReefer]

I definitely had a great experience with Top Shelf as well, I hung out mainly with Austin & Remy and they are both top notch.

[@Reefgrrl]

Great to know this! I saw a video where someone was able to drive across the border from the US into Canada with “aquarium fish” so I’m thinking as a Canadian, if I drove to a US airport then flew only within the US, I could very likely bring live stuff home by driving it back across the border. Always declaring it of course! 👍🏻👍🏻 Thanks for this!

[@captivebredcanada]

Reefgrrl if you have any questions about transporting fish and coral both inside Canada and from outside Canada please send me a message. I'm actually about to leave Montreal now with some corals and the way we have to do things is different than inappropriate reefer.

[@Reefgrrl]

Very good point. Yep. I have a contact at CITES that I encountered when I brought my Tonga branch rock into Canada from the US. And for CBSA, I regularly cross back into Canada with aquarium stuff that we can’t get here. Never had a hassle, and next time I have to go in and pay HST, I’m going to ask them about fish and coral. Plants, I’m not sure about but I’d definitely ask.

[@Reefgrrl]

Thanks Average Reef! We’re seriously considering going to reefapalooza at some point and it would be kind of nice to bring at least something back. 👍🏻

[@cubanreefer1582]

Thank you! My friend great video , I’ll be on ReefAPalooza in couple weeks but fortunately I live here in Miami and I can drive 4 hours and stay there but for those flighting to Orlando for the events is a very good news and a peace of mind for the, to travel with livestock. Great video

[@GeneHarm]

This is great to know. I travel most every week to somewhere different in the country. I often pass the time in aquarium stores. Now I know I can bring home a prize if I want to. Only thing is you can only bring on two items. Looks like my luggage will have to be checked.

[@MightyNanoTank]

Great info! Thanks sharing with us that we can do this. Maybe I will hand deliver so corals back to California :)

[@hhinojosareef1]

I'm in forth worth texas right now. Hopefully I can bring few frags back to California! Good vid bro!

[@Davelembo]

Thanx for doin the leg work on this bud. Great vid

[@InappropriateReefer]

Thanks for watching Dave!

[@1977logan]

Great video thank you. I shipped myself stuff back from vivid when we were in LA.

[@InappropriateReefer]

Maybe next time you could just bring them along with you onto the flight. ;-)

[@theideaofclips5481]

Great video matey I’ll give u a thumbs up 👍

[@InappropriateReefer]

Thank you, especially special coming from your user name, lol!

[@Victor2924]

I was wondering about this I am local to Orlando and wondered if people made purchases and flew with them or just shipped them at the convention.

[@BillyPipes]

I'll say 1st after I watch the entire video 👍

[@beeyawngcuh]

Hi! I have a question! I’m going on an 8 hour trip with my fish ... and I was wonder what they blew into the bag... was it just air ?? Or oxygen??

[@arthurman9021]

Hey pal! Nice video with some good information not sure about travelling with fish in Europe though haha. Are you from hk originally?

[@CescaTheDarkHorse]

Nice video enjoyed watching :)

[@InappropriateReefer]

Thanks for watching!

[@drewlong77]

How long total was your fish/coral in bags & how long can each one survive in bags do you think? Thanks again for doing this..great video.

[@nat-kingreef3955]

Great video

[@InappropriateReefer]

Thank you, nice name btw =)

[@915Mang]

Was wondering about that!

[@ahmedrasoul1986]

Thanks for this video

[@KlemmetsmoReefing]

Hey bud. Great vid because I’ll be trying this this September when I come back from the Vegas macna event. Where do you find your music? I always have trouble with find cool stuff for my vids...

[@InappropriateReefer]

I find all of my music from Sound Cloud, search for free vlog music. I have also paid for a few and they are typically only $1 each

[@ReefSpy]

Really great info. I thought for sure this was a big NO. Thanks for confirmation its possible!

[@InappropriateReefer]

I was surprised by how easy it was too!

[@zacharyholmes2600]

Yessssss I’m gonna bring some stuff home from Washington DC now when I’m there this summer! Any good stores you know of?

[@InappropriateReefer]

In the DC/MD/VA area for corals, check out Supreme Reefs, Blue Ribbon Aquatics, House of Tropical, Fintastic of Frederick!

[@Kcko_official]

Just wondering, would i be able to bring back some fish from thailand into the US?

[@ReefDudes]

Great video. Now you just need to test brining them to Canada for me :)

[@InappropriateReefer]

=D Rip mentioned that you may try to bring something back to Canada during your next US trip? (RAP-FL?)

[@damson2809]

I'm flying with Southwest and the don't allow aquarium fish. Would TSA stop me knowing that I'm flying with Southwest?

[@cammiluna]

If you're still around KZbin 2 years later, what airline did you take? I've called several because I'm relocating with a fish. Alaska said only in Cargo, United and Jetblue said not at all, American Air put me on hold forever, and Delta just redirected me to their cargo-shipping site.

[@AlexS-lz1gs]

We’re are you at the end of the video? In the huge reef aquarium

[@MrShishi]

This is awesome as I am going to Orlando next month!. However, Id still be iffy knowing how many times they made me through out my water and other liquids.. I was thinking about just packing the box in my check in bag and keeping my fingers crossed!.has anyone done this?

[@Deathmage_1]

great info

[@InappropriateReefer]

Thanks mage!

[@BriansAquariums]

Very cool that you can bring them on the plane. What airlines did you fly with?

[@InappropriateReefer]

I flew with Spirit this trip

[@trestres7406]

How about in Philippines is it allowed to travel saltwater stuffs like that

[@adityavlogs2865]

Did the fish survive the flight? I was wondering if altitude change and pressure difference can hurt the fish

[@sterbanorris9421]

What version of the “um um um um” song did you use in this video?

[@zattarain8606]

was the fish ok during and after the flight? I'm planning to move and I want to bring my betta fish with me :(

[@InappropriateReefer]

No problem at all! 👍 Betta should do fine for domestic flight

[@mrscreamalot9675]

@@InappropriateReefer but could GLO fish could also okay and subinkin goldfish also?

[@Sna66.1]

Great info, one question- is there some section in their hand book that we can refer them to Incase they refuse to allow this?

[@InappropriateReefer]

There is and for the live of me I could not find the detailed version (that page included the exemption of the 3.4oz of liquid), but here is the short version: www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/live-fish

[@joeljordan1195]

I wonder how it works for overseas flights, i live in panama and ive heard of friends smuggling corals and fishes in mugcups or coffeecups.

[@InappropriateReefer]

I may look into oversea flights in the future, but from what I am seeing it seems too complicated to make it worthwhile. Smuggling corals and fishes via mugs and cups? Wow!

[@fearcry]

Maybe in the future you can buy fish and corals in the airport. :)

[@monagurl1973]

Thank you

[@CarolinaShoreFishing]

Really good to know! Did they say if there was a limit to how many aquarium bags you bring?

[@InappropriateReefer]

I did not ask but in my research, I did read some people bring 30+ bags of freshwater fish one trip! I suppose as long as they all fit in a container that conforms to the carry-on size...

[@CarolinaShoreFishing]

Hahaha a carry on just with fish. Dreams!

[@officialrobertcenox]

How long a fish can survive inside the bag with air ?

[@notmej2439]

Ppl remmber that all countrys have different rules ok so you might not pass throught tsa and might not get on your flight with your fish. I am thinking of taking my 4 goldfish out of my country and i am abit nervouse but ehhh idk worth a shot mabye?

[@Chilam.]

What about international,example from England to Mexico

[@nashalycarballo8975]

I am currently trying to take my betta fish but I’m scared 😟

[@MASSAquariums]

Yep all good we took lobster down from Boston to Florida no problem live

[@InappropriateReefer]

Live lobster is OK too?? Okay, was not expecting that, lol.

[@fishingwithyoshi]

did they make you pay extra?

[@pranavmallick2117]

Can I carry my fish in plane Bro without tsc

[@ar-arnitro]

Awesome I should do that to

[@dereks3207]

Great info! #reefsquad

[@olafseverin1135]

from the Phils to Ffm - problems lurking?

[@Angelinabug]

Does it count as your carry on luggage? In addition to the box with fish and corals, how many more bags are you allowed to bring on the plane?

[@InappropriateReefer]

Yes that box was my carry-on. Usually flight allows one personal item and one carry-on, unless it’s with Spirit or Frontier that charges extra for carry-on

[@OSSOYT]

Wish it was possible internationally

[@KreefAquariumhobby]

Nice video. 🖒🖒

[@InappropriateReefer]

Thank you!

[@KreefAquariumhobby]

Lot of reefers will be happy for this with reefapalooza comming. I I would visit it someday I don't think I have to try this to fly back to Europe 😉😉😎

[@mahsenghani9983]

I have carried live fish in small tins with holes on its lid carefully without spilling from India to UAE in the 70s...those days tropical fish and aquarium weren't available in UAE and in India air packed plastic bags with fish weren't available No problems but today I am 100percent sure I would need papers

[@Devilsstateofmind10]

Dude I'm tryna carry axolotls from uae to India, got any idea how ?

[@mahsenghani9983]

@@Devilsstateofmind10 don't waste your time and resources...you get them in India kzbin.info/www/bejne/j6PTZ4pnebeoo7s

[@Mcrichalot12]

Since you carried it on (not checked in on a bag) is there a limit to how much water you can bring in the fish bags? I know there is a limit to like the size of a shampoo bottle if you carry it on.

[@herper6]

I don’t believe so. I’ve brought bags with well over 1/2 gallon of water on the plane before (of course with fish).

[@InappropriateReefer]

No limit if the water contains fish (well, reasonable amount, it still has to fit within the standard carry-on / personal item guide line).

[@andysze3950]

First like😅😅😅

[@ReefMan]

What was your backup plan if they didn't let them through?

[@InappropriateReefer]

Got friend and AirBNB host here that offered to pick up from the airport if anything went south. Good thing their help was not needed!

[@jimibarker2744]

ReefMan eat them

[@iknowbro5445]

How about AirAsia? anyone tried it before?

[@AlishaAraujo]

how much does it cost

[@darrenshore5853]

Il be visiting orlando in september and would love to buy coral and bring bkack to Ireland. Im finding it so hard to find out what expert licenses are required from US :(

[@InappropriateReefer]

Sorry, wish I have info on international traveling with fish and corals... maybe in the future!

[@darrenshore5853]

Inappropriate Reefer thank you. Judt typical goverment departments, never easy to find what you want. Great vids keep it up

[@MrShishi]

I would not bet on taking coral on international flights, I bet coral exporters have an issue shipping corals into the states these TSA are not educated about corals and marinefish if they where they would know there is no chance of it coming an invasive species in ireland, Heck if it does that would be GREAT

[@Venezia41]

how did it go?

[@BillyPipes]

I wonder if the fishes ears pop on the plane 🤔👍👍

[@BriansAquariums]

Billy Pipes 🤣🤣

[@InappropriateReefer]

Hmm...

[@zamyria_danae]

😂

[@heidisfishtank7543]

How do they swab it? Do they open the bag?

[@InappropriateReefer]

They only swabbed the box (the edges of the lid and the box itself); did not open the bags

[@fishingwithyoshi]

@@InappropriateReefer Did you have to pay extra?

[@youraveragephesh3173]

I’m not sure if I can take fish on a plane. Coz it’s probably illegal

[@Saltwatertank]

I just went to top shelf this morning but I didn’t see you

[@InappropriateReefer]

I was there last Sunday!

[@ChristinaFairy-ut9ci]

I have big question can I take my tortoise

[@benvasquez4248]

Has anyone gotten away with bringing their pet fish in Alaska airlines?

[@fishingwithyoshi]

Did you have to pay extra?

[@muqaddasmuneer]

Can I carry my empty aquarium???!

[@kakyan2094]

Cool i will do that😉😲🖒🖒

[@giovannivalencia74]

Is there anyone here who knows if i can travel with my baby turtle on a plane with no expenses

[@PastaManEnjoyer]

I have one fish that is important to me and i wanted to take it with me to the Thailand, thanks

[@InappropriateReefer]

Crossing country is a different ball game entirely. I’d double check with both side first before committing!

[@ansonchen7946]

Q： What will happen for International flight, such as China)

[@-nkj-3349]

anson chen the fish would die probably

[@ansonchen7946]

but wait, think about it this way, most coral/fish online shopping takes also half day and flight from China to states and Canada and both form 9-16 hour, feels like they will do just fine with proper shipping materials.

[@InappropriateReefer]

I have no experience traveling with fish/corals internationally [yet!], but in terms of having them traveling on plane and being in a box for ~20 hours, they should be fine!

[@ansonchen7946]

lol, YET, so should be soon? lmao

[@fishingwithyoshi]

@@ansonchen7946 I don't think he did

[@feedthatreefaddiction1508]

Flown with fish twice after macna. I usually check my corals. The key is to hide it from the airline once on board bc they have their own rules. Unfortunately I’ve heard horror stories once of people having to leave fish behind bc of the airline.

[@blahblahkmk2912]

It’s allowed anyways

[@matthewgo88]

I'm moving to Japan after I graduate from college, so I'm sure that taking my 14" West African Lungfish will be a pain...

[@Venezia41]

let us know how you do that, super curious!

[@lolangtamad8591]

Can we bring on international flights aswell?

[@InappropriateReefer]

Sorry that I am not sure, although I kind of doubt it due to crossing of borders, there would probably be stricter rules

[@lolangtamad8591]

@@InappropriateReefer ok thank u can u make a video of the differences of flowerhorns? Im not sure if mine is srd or magma🙂 I don’t know how to look at the strains

[@QuarterBach]

Weren't you scared that the bag would pop? When I had a bag of chips during a flight, the bag got super inflated. That bag with the corals and the fish is already inflated. If it got any bigger wouldn't it have popped? 0_o

[@stressedandunimpressed]

Do you remember what airline you flew on?

[@InappropriateReefer]

Spirit 👍

[@TortoiseGuyAquarium]

Went to top shelf and spent 300$ on corals.

[@Josh-si4jn]

Lol 3:05

[@muinaminoor4541]

Ur so handsome

[@lawiez]

next, come back to hong kong and bring me a jason fox home wrecker please! will pay mucho dinero (more profitable than smuggling drugs!)