Frequently Asked Questions

Shipping is free for all orders within the continental United States via FedEx Priority Overnight. Alaska, Hawaii, and international orders are quoted at checkout.

Each fish is individually bagged in conditioned water with pure oxygen, placed in insulated foam-lined boxes with temperature-calibrated heat/cold packs. High-value fish ($5,000+) receive double-bag redundancy and GPS temperature logging.

We ship Monday through Wednesday to avoid weekend delays at carrier sorting facilities. You select your preferred delivery date at checkout.

Yes, to most countries where the species is legal to import. We handle CITES permits, phytosanitary certificates, and customs coordination. Lead times are 2–4 weeks for international shipments.

Every fish purchased from The Fish Collection is covered by our unconditional live arrival guarantee. If a fish does not arrive alive and in good health, we replace it or issue a full refund — no exceptions.

Photograph the fish in the sealed bag within 2 hours of delivery. Email the photos with your order number to support@thefishcollection.com. We respond within 2 hours during business days and process replacements or refunds within 24 hours.

Due to the nature of live animals, we cannot accept returns on healthy fish. If a fish develops shipping-related health issues within 72 hours, contact us for case-by-case resolution.

Yes. Every order includes a species-specific care sheet. We also publish comprehensive species guides, care guides, and blog articles written by our team of certified aquarists. High-value purchases include 30 days of complimentary post-purchase support.

Absolutely. Tell us your tank size, existing inhabitants, water parameters, and budget, and our aquarists will recommend compatible species from our current inventory. Contact us via the website or email.

Every product listing includes the minimum recommended tank size. Our species range from nano-tank-compatible (10 gallons) to large predatory fish requiring 500+ gallon systems. Browse our species guides for detailed tank requirements.

Yes. All fish undergo a minimum 14-day quarantine in our facility. During quarantine, we observe for parasites, bacterial infections, and feeding response. Fish that do not pass quarantine are not listed for sale.

All CITES-listed species (including Asian Arowana) come with full CITES documentation, microchip verification, and export permits. We handle all compliance paperwork.

Laws vary by state and country. Most exotic aquarium fish are legal in most US states, but some species face restrictions in specific jurisdictions. We verify legality for your delivery address before processing the order and will notify you if there are any restrictions.

The majority of our inventory is captive-bred from certified facilities. Wild-collected fish are sourced only from sustainable, regulated fisheries and carry full chain-of-custody documentation. Each listing specifies whether the fish is captive-bred or wild-collected.