Airport TSA first time flying with corals

mmatspr · May 19, 2025

Hello everyI will be going to Houston for 2 weeks, Im planning on getting some Corals and bring them back with me on the plane. i've never done it, so I have no idea how to do it or what do I need for it. Like how to pack them, how much water, etc.

Also, I will be in Houston close to the Rice University area, any good LFS on the area?

Thanks!!

KrisReef · May 19, 2025

I always tuck mines inside my trousers so I can surprise TSA with a pat down reveal.

Otherwise I have the bags loosely wrapped and triple bagged, one huge bag around everything and try to secure them inside my checked luggage. I don’t like to give the TSA folks any real reason to stick their gloves in my pants because they seem to get a real thrill from groping my jewelry case whenever I travel.

I got stuck in Texas once at 0300 they gave us a ride to ghetto hotel and I couldn’t sleep all night with the gunfire and high heels clomping around the halls hooting for customers, beer, and intoxication opportunities , all that to say I know they have coral stores but I have not enjoyed visiting them.

PapaFishRocks · May 20, 2025

A bit of a drive from where you will be, but this is one of my go-to LFS for fish and coral.

thataquariumplace.com

gregrock68 · May 20, 2025

mmatspr said:
Hello everyI will be going to Houston for 2 weeks, Im planning on getting some Corals and bring them back with me on the plane. i've never done it, so I have no idea how to do it or what do I need for it. Like how to pack them, how much water, etc.

Also, I will be in Houston close to the Rice University area, any good LFS on the area?

Thanks!!

I just traveled back from reef-a-palooza Orlando and had zero issues. When you go through the check line and form the TSA agent that you have corals that you need to get hand checked. By the containers that they sell that are clear and you can pull those out and let them check them. They will review them individually. They have experience most of the time with them so it really shouldn't be a problem. In my instance the person checking didn't know what to do so he went and talk to a superior and he explained that yes people come through with corals in these containers once in awhile. They handed them back to me and I was on my way. Just make sure to take a backpack since it makes it much easier to carry them around. You can also go to the TSA website and they have specific instruction for corals. Hope this helps

Mschmidt · May 20, 2025

I've carried coral on. Pack in enough water to keep them well. I used a lot of specimen cups and screw on Tupperware. Show up with plenty of time for a thorough bag search. The bag they're in needs to fit under the seat in front of you. Make sure you tell them that you have live animals and the bag can't go through the scanner.

Under the salad:

JerryB1232 · May 20, 2025

Ocean Life Aquariums is not far from Rice Military at all. The owner is a great guy that loves his acros. I am 9 hrs away from Houston but travel there very frequently and stop by the shop every chance I get. The first time I flew with coral was a frag from Ocean Life, the owner does it a lot and can tell you all about it.

a hill · May 22, 2025

My brother is a TSA agent. So he has great stories. One day a guy walked though security with an adult koi.

Their guidance is simple, if it’s in a container with liquid and alive it’s more than welcome to come though.

Don’t sweat it at all. Just ask for a hand screening of the bag or cups. That way it’s not going through the machine.

The issue with liquids and tsa is that there have been several terror attacks attempted by using liquids that present as water in a sealed container.

No living thing can survive in the stuff they’re looking out for.

Unless you’re doing an extremely thorough h2o2 dip!

I’ve flown around the country a dozen or two flights with dart frogs and whatnot. Just keep it out of sight after security or you’ll have lots of very curious people!

You’ll be great.

-Andrew