We guarantee live arrival, including shipping issues that impair the health of the fish. Coverage ends on the day of arrival. Contact customer support and email the required photos on that same day.

How to file a DOA claim

1. Upon arrival, email a photo under 5MB of each lost specimen to support@AquariumFishSale.com. Videos cannot be accepted.
2. Use “DOA” and your order number in the subject line, for example DOA #1234. Include your name, the item name and the quantity of deceased specimens in the email.

Once a valid claim is received, the full value of the fish will be refunded within 5 business days. We do not send replacements. If the loss results from a UPS/FedEx delay, a store credit will be issued for the losses instead.

Live fish always ship overnight. Shipping charges are not refundable; the shipping charge covers only part of the actual overnight carrier cost.

Additional requirement for fish over $100

A proof-of-death photo is required for a refund or store credit on fish priced over $100. For a specimen that is already deceased, the supplied policy requires removal of the tail for the proof-of-death photo. This requirement is intended to prevent fraudulent claims. Contact support with questions.

After the day of arrival

Fish are not guaranteed beyond the day of arrival. Research each fish’s environment, food and compatible tank mates before ordering. Water quality, tank incompatibility, diet and other aquarium-care challenges are the hobbyist’s responsibility.

Questions? Call 949-342-6257 or email support@AquariumFishSale.com. DOA claims still require the same-day email and photos described above.

$30 minimum order. $12.50 packaging fee applies, including orders with free shipping. Live shipments fulfill Monday–Thursday. Overnight means from the time of fulfillment.

Orders $169 and over qualify for free overnight shipping. Below $169, the listed overnight rate is $34.95; Alaska, Florida and Maine are listed at $49.95. See the supplied full policy below for destination details. Non-live items ship Ground: $19.95 below $169, free at $169 and over, plus packaging.

Shipping policy

Shipping & Fulfillment Policy

Important Fulfillment Information

Fish, plants, and corals ship Monday through Thursday.

Once your order ships, you will receive an email with your UPS or FedEx tracking number.

Minimum order total: $30.

Shipping Rates & Fees

Live Fish, Plants, and Corals (Overnight Shipping)

Orders $169 and over

Free overnight shipping (from time of fulfillment)

$12.50 packaging fee

Orders under $169

$34.95 overnight shipping (from time of fulfillment)

$12.50 packaging fee

Non-Live Items (Food, Aquariums, Accessories)

Shipped via UPS/FedEx Ground.

Orders $169 and over

Free UPS/FedEx Ground shipping (from time of fulfillment)

$12.50 packaging fee

Orders under $169

$19.95 UPS/FedEx Ground shipping (from time of fulfillment)

$12.50 packaging fee

Important: Shipping costs are NOT refundable.

Order Fulfillment & Partial Shipment Policy

We make every effort to ship each order as complete as possible. However, because we work with live animals, the health and readiness of each fish always comes first. If a fish is not in optimal condition for shipment, it will not be shipped.

How partial orders are handled:

80% or more of the order available: If we are able to fulfill 80% or more of your order, we will ship it as scheduled and issue a refund for any unavailable items.

Less than 80% of the order available: If less than 80% of your order can be fulfilled, we will contact you to ask whether you prefer:

to ship the available items and receive a refund for missing fish, or

to hold the order until the following week in hopes of achieving a higher fill rate

If you choose to proceed with a partial shipment, we will ship the order and refund all unavailable items.

Please note:

We do not backorder fish.

We do not send replacement fish at a later date.

Refunds are always issued for any fish not shipped.

AquariumFish.com operates as a collective of trusted freshwater and saltwater importers. This policy allows us to prioritize animal welfare while maintaining reliable service for our hobbyists.

Shipping Cost Disclosure

To help keep ordering live fish online affordable, AquariumFish.com subsidizes a portion of shipping costs. Because these costs are incurred regardless of order completion, shipping charges are non-refundable.

Order Cancellations

If you need to cancel your order for any reason:

Email support@AquariumFishSale.com

Include “CANCEL” in the subject line

Include your order number

Cancellation deadline: 12:00 PM (PST) on the day your fish are scheduled to ship.

Order Delivery to Wrong Address

The customer is responsible for providing the correct shipping address. (No P.O. Boxes) If the incorrect address is giving during the checkout process, and the order ships. There are no refunds or credits for that order.

Please confirm all delivery information before checkout. And double check it when you receive your Order Confirmation email shortly after placing your order.

Shipping Rates by State (Overnight Live Shipments)

Shipping Cost States

$49.95 Alaska*, Florida, Maine

$34.95 Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin

$34.95 Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wyoming

*Destination must be within UPS/FedEx delivery area.

Fish & Plant Shipping Restrictions by State

AquariumFish.com complies with all state and federal regulations regarding the import, export, and transport of exotic fish, corals, and plants.

Restricted in the USA & California

Snakeheads (wolf fish), freshwater stingrays, piranha, channel catfish, tilapia, walking catfish, parasitic catfish, Florida gars, newts (except fire-belly), dojo loach (standard), endangered species not covered by CITES (e.g., Asian Arowana), and certain freshwater plants including cabomba, parrot’s feather, water lettuce, and duckweed.

State-Specific Restrictions

Arizona: Electric eels, blind cave fish, Florida gar

Florida: Electric eels, electric catfish, tiger fish

Hawaii: Nearly all species. This is a restricted state and requires management approval prior to shipment

Louisiana: Electric eel

Michigan: Gold dojo loach, bitterling

Mississippi: Electric eel, electric catfish, tiger fish, peacock bass, all Florida & South American gars and barracudas, carapo banded knifefish

Oklahoma: Electric eel, electric catfish, arapaima, silver arowana, blue arowana

South Carolina: Electric eel, blind cave fish

Texas: Arapaima, electric eel, electric catfish, South American & Florida gars, African pike, tiger fish, South American freshwater barracuda

Utah: Blind cave fish

Please note: State regulations may change, and this list may not be exhaustive, but it reflects the most accurate information available at this time.