Logistics
Shipping & Delivery
Free shipping
Continental US orders ship free with specialist live-animal carriers.
Live Arrival Guarantee
100% guaranteed or full replacement — no exceptions.
Agreed delivery day
Your keeper confirms the day with you before anything is packed.
How We Ship Live Fish
Shipping live aquatic animals is a science. Every order is packed by our logistics team — not a warehouse worker, but trained aquarists who understand species-specific stress responses, temperature tolerances, and oxygen requirements.
Each fish is individually bagged in conditioned water matched to its home tank parameters. We add pure oxygen (not air) and seal with a double-rubber-band closure. The bag is placed inside an insulated EPS foam box with gel heat packs or cold packs calibrated to the 24-hour forecast along the shipping route. High-value fish ($5,000+) receive double-bag redundancy, a secondary insulation layer, and a GPS temperature logger in the box.
Domestic Shipping
All orders within the continental United States ship free in insulated, oxygen-packed transit with specialist live-animal carriers. Once your fish are ready to travel, your keeper confirms the delivery day with you personally — so someone's home when the box arrives.
Alaska and Hawaii orders carry a supplemental shipping charge, confirmed in your quote along with everything else.
International Shipping
We ship to most countries where the ordered species is legal to import. International orders require CITES permits (for listed species), phytosanitary certificates, and destination-country import licenses. We handle all documentation and coordinate with customs brokers on your behalf.
International shipping costs are confirmed in your quote, based on destination, fish size, and documentation requirements. Permit processing is handled by your keeper, who will tell you where things stand at every step.
Acclimation on Arrival
Every shipment includes a printed acclimation guide specific to your species. The general process:
- Float the sealed bag in your aquarium for 15–20 minutes to equalize temperature.
- Open the bag and add small amounts of tank water every 5 minutes for 30–45 minutes.
- Net the fish into the tank. Discard the shipping water — never pour it into your aquarium.
- Keep lights off for 4–6 hours to reduce stress.
For high-value fish, we provide a detailed drip-acclimation protocol and offer phone/video support during the process.
Shipping FAQ
How much does shipping cost?
All orders within the continental United States ship free with specialist live-animal carriers. Alaska, Hawaii, and international shipping are confirmed in your quote, based on destination and species requirements.
How are fish packaged for shipping?
Each fish is individually bagged in species-appropriate water with pure oxygen, then placed in insulated foam-lined boxes with heat or cold packs calibrated to the forecast temperature along the shipping route. Large or high-value fish receive double-bag redundancy.
Do you ship internationally?
Yes, we ship to most countries where the species is legal to import. International orders require additional documentation (CITES permits, phytosanitary certificates, import licenses) which we coordinate on your behalf. Your keeper keeps you posted as each permit clears.
What carriers do you use?
We ship domestic orders exclusively with specialist live-animal carriers. International shipments use specialist livestock freight forwarders with temperature-controlled cargo holds.
How is the delivery day decided?
Your keeper agrees the day with you personally once your quote is accepted, then coordinates packing and pickup around it. Nothing is dispatched before you have confirmed you can receive it.
What happens if my fish arrives dead?
Our 100% live arrival guarantee covers every shipment. Photograph the unopened bag within 2 hours of delivery, email the images to our support team, and we will either reship a replacement fish or issue a full refund — your choice.
Questions about shipping?
Contact Our Team →