Purchasing Fish Online

[droidus]

I would like to purchase fish online, and I am sure this has been asked before... are there any good recommendations on where to purchase fish and clean-up crews from? I can provide what kind of fish I am looking to buy, if need be.
Also, how does it work when they mail you your fish?

 

[mrlavalamp]

liveaquaria and bluezoo both did fine for me over the years.

marinedepot and brs have some CUC and algae/pods and stuff too (no fish though I think).

 

[Cwentz758]

Usually shipping is overnight, and they’re packed in bags in a styrofoam box in a box usually. Some have some type of warming device in the box. If you are doing your own QT you can really get fish anywhere.

 

[KTrevino]

For clean up crew hands down Reef Cleaners. Great guy, awesome service, great prices.
I have ordered from SaltwaterFish.com and had good luck with them, although their stock is a bit on the low side. I know Live Aquaria is hit or miss for some.

 

[Houstoner]

liveaquaria and bluezoo both did fine for me over the years.

marinedepot and brs have some CUC and algae/pods and stuff too (no fish though I think).

Bluezoo was a horrible experience for me, the day my fish were supposed to be shipped no email. Then 2 days later I get an email about them needing to be placed in observation for x weeks before they could be shipped.

Well turns out that was a lie and they just didn't have any of the fish I ordered in stock even though they took my money. I emailed bluezoo 3 days pass and no email I called my CC company and cancelled the transaction. Sure enough literally hours later I get a call from someone asking why I cancelled my order and how my fish were in observation all this other BS.

 

[Mr Fishface]

I've used liveaquaria in the past and they did good. Next time I want to order from reefs4less and give them a shot.

 

[Reef man 89]

@reefcleaners is the best for CUC the owner Jon is a great guy and will answer all your questions with in an hour. Plus the prices you can’t beat!!

 

[TracyLynn]

I’ve ordered fish & CUC from Live Aquaria with no problems. I’ve recently ordered snails from Salty Underground & WOW those were some of the biggest Turbos I’ve ever bought.

Shipping is overnight, packed in styrofoam cooler with heat pack or ice pack (depending on time of year). I suggest someone being home when it’s delivered, the sooner you can unpack them the better. IMO
Both companies have a great “arrive alive” policy.

 

[Dragon52]

I've used LA, Vivid Aquariums out of Los Angeles & Reef Cleaners with pretty good success. Corals From WWC, my LFS & I go to Aquarium Specialty & Fishy Business in Columbia, SC about 1-11/2 hr drive.

 

[mtraylor]

I have used live aquaria in the past and up to the purchase by petco. They ship fast and the fish are in pretty good condition when you get them. Just be prepared to qt and treat the fish.

 

[droidus]

Just be prepared to qt and treat the fish.

This was going to be my next question... what precautions/actions must I take after receiving them before putting them into my tank (besides acclimation, which I am familiar with)? Also, if products are needed to treat, what does everyone recommend I purchase before receiving them? Are there more precautions than buying them from a pet store?

 

[RBZ]

I usually get my fish from my LFS. I have had great success with this because he medicates his tanks and has a good track record. 50+ fish. But lately he has not been able to get me some fish I want and I have researched most of the online stores. Normally I let other people do their own research but since I did a lot of research I will share.
Note these are my personal impressions from the reviews.
Blue Zoo has horrid reviews, LA has mixed reviews as wrong fish is the number one issue.
LA has a lot of people that like them and a lot claim it is hit and miss. I personally didn't want to have a 50/50 when it comes to getting fish. Salgado's seems to jack the price up just to give discounts which you can get the same deal at every other online store so you need to watch when you buy there. I finally settled for NY Aquatics. Funny I live in LA but needed to go to NY to get my fish from a guy with what I considered a lot of good reviews.
I got a Purple Tang and Whitetail Bristletooth from NY Aquatics last week and just as the Government was shutting everything down the communication was great and they now have a happy home and a happy reefer. I personally would check out LFS in your area for how they handle fish and ask people on forums in your area their impressions. I know not everyone has many LFS choices as LA/OC area does, but I always want to check the fish out first if possible.

 

[jasonrusso]

I've ordered from Live Aquaria several times. The only issue I ever had was a fish that died a few days later because UPS took 2 days instead of overnight.

I've bought from LA, That fish place.com, blue zoo (sent me the wrong shrimp and never responded to 3 emails and a phone call. The shrimp is still alive but it's still wrong), and just placed an order with saltwaterfish yesterday.

Whenever I get a fish shipped, people can't understand. I always ask them how they think the LFS gets them?

 

[Lukielight]

I got my fish from NY Aquatic. Great healthy fish. Quick response to email questions. Will definitely buy from them in the future. CUC came from reef cleaners also a great place from what I can tell.

 

[rirun]

100% @NYAquatic. If you don’t see what you want on the site, give Michael a call.

I’ve had mixed results with blue zoo shipments but they stood by their guarantee when fish didn’t make it through their guarantee period. I could usually tell right out of the box the ones that wouldn’t make it.

 

[dromo2189]

@NYAquatic is the best fish i receive. There prices are great and Michael will help you with whatever you need. Only place i will order from online

 

[vetteguy53081]

Salgado aquatics-
Healthy fish and eating on arrival

 

[mtraylor]

This was going to be my next question... what precautions/actions must I take after receiving them before putting them into my tank (besides acclimation, which I am familiar with)? Also, if products are needed to treat, what does everyone recommend I purchase before receiving them? Are there more precautions than buying them from a pet store?

Seachem metroplex
Seachem focus
Prazipro
Seachem Cuperaman


You cant run these all at once but this is what i keep in my fish qt draw among a few others for treatment. These products are the top on my list and are must have lately to have on hand.

 

[Aquarist76]

Usually shipping is overnight, and they’re packed in bags in a styrofoam box in a box usually. Some have some type of warming device in the box. If you are doing your own QT you can really get fish anywhere. If you’re east coast I’ve been looking at https://www.salgadoaquatics.com/

They post their fish on their Instagram. Research on their QT process.

Maybe not the place to say this, but I've had 6 of 7 fish I've ordered from them die w/n 36hrs. And no money back guarantee (lost over $2K). The 7th came as close to dying as I've ever seen a fish get and still survive. 4 of them I picked up in person so I know it wasn't shipping stress. I've literally bought hundreds of fish online over the years and I've never seen anything like this before from any other seller.

 

[Aquarist76]

I got my fish from NY Aquatic. Great healthy fish. Quick response to email questions. Will definitely buy from them in the future. CUC came from reef cleaners also a great place from what I can tell.

Just saying

NY Aquatics warning: Super shady behavior!!!!

I've placed 3 orders from NY Aquatics and had problems with all of them. The most recent was just unbelievable. Back around Christmas they had Zebra Tangs for sale on their site; something I've long wanted. They were $899 but there was a Christmas discount so I took the plunge. My tang...

www.reef2reef.com