SME

By FedEx | June 30, 2026

​​Ornamental fish are often shipped from farms or wild habitats to customers around the world – but how do these fragile creatures survive the long journey? Over 30 years of operations, Aquazone Indonesia has developed meticulous processes for exporting live fish in good condition, supported by FedEx’s freight logistics expertise.

• Aquazone Indonesia has grown from a home-based hobby into a renowned live fish export business, selling over 500 varieties of aquatic life and serving customers across more than 50 countries.
• With tight delivery windows of just 24 to 48 hours, live fish shipments depend on reliable logistics to safeguard fish health and maintain trust with import partners.
• Aquazone Indonesia uses FedEx International Priority Freight to move ornamental fish exports efficiently across borders and maintain consistently low mortality rates.

It all started with a fascination that Hartono Kintadjaja could not quite explain. As an aquarist with a deep love for ornamental fish, he spent his early years building aquariums by hand and breeding African cichlids – a species prized for its vivid colors and striking variety. What began as a personal passion gradually grew into something bigger: a conviction that Indonesia's extraordinary aquatic biodiversity deserved a global audience.

In 1996, that conviction gave rise to Aquazone Indonesia. Starting modestly from Hartono’s home, the business has since grown into one of Indonesia's most established live fish exporters, serving importers and wholesalers across more than 50 countries. Over three decades of building the business, Hartono has never lost sight of his passion for fishkeeping. Every live fish shipment that leaves Aquazone’s facilities embodies its "Happy Fish" promise: healthy, high-quality aquatic species carefully prepared for the journey ahead.

The delicate business of live fish shipping

As an ornamental fish exporter, Aquazone Indonesia’s success hinges on transporting these delicate creatures safely across borders. Today, it manages more than 2,500 aquariums while its product catalog spans over 500 varieties of aquatic life, ranging from ornamental fish to shrimp, crabs, lobsters, and snails. The company exports both farmed and wild-caught species to customers around the world, helping to showcase Indonesia’s aquatic biodiversity on the global stage.

Exporting live fish, however, requires far more than simply shipping them in water-filled bags. Water temperature, oxygen and pH levels, and ammonia buildup must all be carefully controlled to keep the fish healthy throughout transit. Any environmental fluctuations or transport delays can stress the fish and compromise their health. Every shipment becomes a race against time, with the wellbeing of these precious animals depending on precise handling every step of the way.

Aquazone Indonesia’s expertise in preparing ornamental fish for export sets it apart. The company has developed dedicated Fish Labs – one-stop export hubs that integrate sourcing, conditioning, and export operations within a single facility.

Backed by 30 years of hands-on experience in handling live aquatic cargo, the team has a deep understanding of how different species respond to the stresses of international transport. This expertise enables Aquazone to tailor its conditioning and packaging methods to the needs of each species, ensuring that fish arrive at their destination healthy and in optimal condition.

Delivering “Happy Fish” safely across borders

This careful preparation is only the first stage of the journey. Live fish are among the most time-sensitive cargo in cross-border shipping. Unlike non-living goods, they cannot survive extended delays or warehouse storage.

Aquazone Indonesia's live fish shipments must be delivered within tight windows of 24 to 48 hours, extending to a maximum of three days depending on the destination and shipment conditions. Missing this delivery window has consequences far beyond cost – it can jeopardize fish health and undermine the trust Aquazone Indonesia has built with importers over decades.

To support its growing international operations, the company sought a logistics partner that could handle live fish shipping with clockwork precision. FedEx ticked all the exporter’s boxes with its strong international network, fast delivery, and reputation for consistent, reliable service.

Aquazone Indonesia currently uses FedEx International Priority Freight to move its live cargo efficiently across borders. This freight service combines fast transit times with priority handling to ensure time-sensitive shipments arrive on schedule. In a business where shipment visibility and transit consistency directly affect animal welfare, FedEx's reliability has become foundational to how Aquazone Indonesia delivers on its promise of care.

Beyond shipping speed, FedEx’s digital tools help the exporter minimize delays. FedEx Electronic Trade Documents allows Aquazone Indonesia to prepare and submit trade documents electronically. Not only does this eliminate manual effort and printing costs, it also enables the company to benefit from pre-clearance assistance and reduce potential customs delays.

FedEx’s commitment to streamlining the export process at every stage has further reinforced a partnership built on the understanding that living cargo requires exceptional care and seamless coordination throughout its journey.

This close collaboration has paid off. FedEx's priority shipping and specialized handling capabilities have helped Aquazone Indonesia maintain on-time delivery with low mortality rates, protecting both the animals and the long-term trust that the brand has built with its international partners. Through FedEx's global network spanning more than 220 countries and territories, Aquazone Indonesia has the reach to serve aquarium enthusiasts and importers virtually anywhere in the world.

Navigating new waters with confidence

Guided by Hartono’s enduring belief in showcasing Indonesia's extraordinary biodiversity to the world, Aquazone Indonesia continues to grow beyond its original focus on ornamental fish exports. One example is Mr. Cray Indonesia, an export venture specializing in a species of freshwater crayfish found only in the Indonesian province of West Papua.

As the company broadens its already diverse product range, it will need to navigate fresh challenges in live fish shipping. But with reliable logistics support from FedEx and nearly three decades of live export expertise under its belt, Aquazone Indonesia is well-positioned to continue expanding into new waters. As Hartono himself puts it: keep doing what you love, work honestly, and find trustworthy partners to grow with. For a business built on passion, this advice has clearly stood the test of time.

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Learn more about how FedEx International Priority Freight can support your time-sensitive shipments.