Pick an arrival date
Select a weekday that works for you at checkout. Saturday arrival is available for an additional carrier fee.
From our farm to your front door
How live-fish shipping works
Choose an arrival date at checkout. We select and pack the fish at the farm, and UPS Priority Overnight brings the order to your door.
$55 flat rateNo matter how many fish you order
Priority OvernightWeekday delivery through UPS
30-day guaranteeSupport from Josh after arrival
Shipping schedule
Pick an arrival date at checkout
The crew works backward from that date. Fish are selected, prepared, and packed for the shortest practical time in transit.
Fish selected at the farm
Your fish are selected and prepared here, then individually sealed in pouches with pure oxygen.
Forecast and route checked
Insulated boxes and heat or cold packs are adjusted for the route. Severe storms may mean choosing a safer date.
Delivered the next day
Tracking and acclimation instructions arrive by email so you can follow the box and be ready for delivery.
From the farm
No wholesaler or retail stop
Your order leaves the facility where the fish were raised. There is no distributor or retail holding tank between our farm and your door.
When the box arrives
From the pouch to your aquarium
Have the aquarium ready before delivery day. Keep each pouch sealed while the temperature equalizes, and keep shipping water out of your tank.
Concern about a fish?Email Josh with your order number and a clear photo.-
1
Look before opening
Check the fish through the sealed pouch. Photograph any concern while the fish is still inside.
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2
Float the sealed pouch
Float it in the aquarium for about 15 minutes, until the temperatures have stabilized.
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3
Net the fish over a bucket
Open the pouch and pour through a clean net into a bucket or bowl. Discard the shipping water.
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4
Move the fish into the aquarium
Place the fish directly into the prepared tank and give the new arrivals time to settle.
After delivery
Our 30-day guarantee
If a fish arrives compromised or develops a problem during the first 30 days, email us promptly with your order number and a clear photo. Josh will review it directly and work with you to make it right.
How we select young cichlids
What "unsexed" means
It means the fish are not developed enough for us to guarantee each individual's sex. We still look closely.
We inspect the whole group
Color development, body shape, size, behavior, and species-specific clues all help us make an educated selection.
We aim for a sensible mix
When you order several unsexed cichlids, we use every useful clue the fish give us instead of simply scooping at random.
Ratios are not guaranteed
Young fish can surprise even experienced eyes. An unsexed selection is our best judgment, not a guaranteed male-to-female ratio.
Common questions
Shipping FAQ
The essentials are here. For a species mix, unusual destination, or a tank question, send Josh the details by email so he can give you a useful answer.
[email protected]Where does the $55 flat rate apply?
It covers weekday UPS Priority Overnight delivery within the continental United States, no matter how many fish are in the order. Alaska and Hawaii customers should email Josh so the destination and any additional carrier charge can be confirmed.
Can I pick the delivery day?
Yes. Choose an available arrival date from the calendar at checkout. Saturday arrival is available for an additional carrier fee.
What happens during extreme weather?
We monitor weather along the route and adjust insulated boxes with heat or cold packs. When a severe storm makes overnight delivery unreliable, we will contact you and move the shipment to a safer date.
Do I need to be home?
Orders are normally sent without a signature requirement, but the fish should be brought into a temperature-controlled space as soon as possible. Follow the tracking email and plan a protected place for the box if you cannot be at the door.
How are the fish packed?
Fish are individually sealed in pouches with pure oxygen, then placed in an insulated shipping box prepared for the expected temperatures on the route.
What should I send for a guarantee concern?
Email your order number, the fish name, and a clear photo as soon as you notice the problem. For an arrival concern, take the photo while the fish is still in the sealed pouch.
What does "unsexed" mean?
Unsexed is a statement about certainty, not effort. The fish is too young or too subtle for us to guarantee its sex, but we still use experience, visible clues, and your order notes when choosing from the group.
Can Josh help plan my order?
Yes. Email your aquarium size, current fish, and the species you are considering. That gives Josh enough context to send back a useful, thoughtful answer.
Current inventory