Seeking a Transhipper

[edinjapan]

I've been a member of this for some time, mostly in lurk/learning mode. I'm an aquarium hobbyist living just outside Tokyo in Japan. I keep dwarf cichlids-both S American and African, livebearers, shrimp, other various unusual freshwater invertebrates and the odd wild betta or two. I'm looking for a reliable person to act as a transhipper, collecting various fish, inverts etc for me and sending them on to me. I, of course will pay all costs involved.

The reason I'm asking this becomes apparent when you check out the price of various fish in Japan. A pair of wild Nigerian Red P taeniatus sells for about ¥20,000 (aprox US$250) here in the LFS and there's a pair on Aquabid going for 1/5 that price as I type this. And, should I want anything that come from David Soares' hatchery the LFS located in Central Ginza that gets his fish in demands an arm, a leg and your firstborn child in payment.

All I'm asking is for a reliable person who can source and ship fish and supplies to me in small quantities-I'm a hobbyist not a dealer. If anyone can help me I'd be most appreciative.

[Dan Woodland]

Jeff Rapps has done it in the past. He's at http://www.tangledupincichlids.com