Shipping policy

Last updated: October 14, 2026

We ship live fish by express service only, so they spend as little time in the box as possible. Please read this page before you order. By placing an order, you agree to these terms.

Where We Ship

We ship within the United States only, including Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. We do not ship internationally.
We cannot ship live fish to P.O. boxes or APO/FPO addresses. Overnight and 2-Day carriers need a street address.
Some remote areas are not eligible for overnight delivery. If that affects your order, we will contact you before it ships.

When We Ship

Live fish ship on Mondays and Wednesdays only, so packages never sit in a carrier warehouse over the weekend.
Processing time and transit time are separate. "Overnight" and "2-Day" mean time in transit after we hand your package to the carrier, not time from when you place your order.
Checkout shows an estimated delivery date. Your order will ship on or before that date. If it can't, we will email you with the reason and a new date.
Fish food and supplies ordered on their own may ship on other days.

Shipping Methods

Overnight (UPS Next Day Air / FedEx Overnight): our recommended method. It is the least stressful trip for your fish.
2-Day (UPS 2nd Day Air / FedEx 2Day): a lower-cost option, available only when the weather allows (see Weather Rules).
Ground and USPS: for fish food and supplies only. These are never offered for live fish.

Weather Rules

If the temperature at your address is above 85°F or below 35°F, live fish must ship Overnight.
Some hot-climate zip codes and Puerto Rico are set to Overnight only at checkout.
If you choose 2-Day when the weather requires Overnight, we will contact you to upgrade. Your order will be held until the upgrade is paid. We will not ship live fish 2-Day in unsafe weather.
We may hold any order when weather or carrier problems make shipping unsafe. We will email you, and your fish stay in our care until it is safe to ship.
We add heat packs or cold packs when the season calls for it.

Shipping Rates

Rates are calculated at checkout based on your address and order, after discounts are applied.
Free shipping: orders of $300 or more (after discounts) get free 2-Day shipping to the lower 48 states. You can upgrade to Overnight for a flat $45. Free shipping does not apply to Alaska, Hawaii or Puerto Rico.
Shipping charges are non-refundable.

Live Arrival Guarantee

Covers live fish shipped Overnight or 2-Day only.
To make a claim, email us within 6 hours of the delivery time shown in tracking. Include your order number and a clear photo or video of the fish in its sealed bag, before opening or acclimating.
Fish that have been removed from the bag or added to a tank are not covered.
Approved claims receive store credit for the price of the fish. Shipping is not covered.
The guarantee does not cover:
- Packages not accepted on the first delivery attempt
- Packages held at a carrier location and not picked up the same day
- Orders shipped to an incorrect or incomplete address entered at checkout
- Claims sent after the 6-hour window or without a sealed-bag photo or video
Claims on packages delayed by the carrier are reviewed case by case.
See our Refund Policy for full details.

After Your Fish Arrive

Once a fish is removed from the bag or added to your tank, we can no longer control its water, temperature or tankmates, so it is not covered by a refund or store credit.
Shipping is stressful. For the first 1 to 3 days it is normal for fish to hide, sit near the bottom, clamp their fins, lose some color or refuse food. Most recover once they settle in.
Keep the lights dim, add extra aeration, skip feeding for the first day, and keep the water at the temperature listed on your fish's product page.
If your fish is acting unusual, email us within 3 days of delivery with your order number, a video of the fish, your tank size and temperature, and test results for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate and pH. We will help you work out what is wrong and how to fix it.
Any credit or discount offered after acclimation is at our discretion and is not guaranteed.

Address and Delivery

Please double-check your address at checkout. We ship to the address you enter. Changes may not be possible once your order is packed, and reshipping costs are paid by the customer.
Someone should be available on delivery day. Track your package and bring it inside as soon as it arrives.
If delivery fails or your package is held at a carrier location, please pick it up the same day.
For some orders we may require a signature at delivery or ask you to confirm the cardholder's name. Orders we cannot verify may be canceled and refunded.

Lost Packages or "Delivered" but Not Received

Check around your property and with neighbors, then contact the carrier within 48 hours. Your local carrier office knows your area best.
Email us your order number and tracking number so we can help with the carrier.
Once the carrier confirms delivery, Garage Aquatics is not responsible for lost or stolen packages, but we will work with you and the carrier toward a fair solution.

Shipping Live Fish to Hawaii

Hawaii requires an import permit from the Hawaii Department of Agriculture, Plant Quarantine Branch. Apply using Form PQ-7. A fee applies, and approval can take about two weeks or longer.
Some species are restricted or prohibited in Hawaii and cannot be shipped.
Email a scan or clear photo of your approved permit to info@garageaquatics.com before ordering. Orders without a valid permit will be held and may be canceled.
Hawaii Department of Agriculture, Plant Quarantine Branch: 1849 Auiki Street, Honolulu, HI 96819-3100. Phone: (808) 832-0566.

Our Choice Fish

For "Our Choice" listings, our team picks a healthy fish of the listed size and color from current stock. Exact markings, pattern and body shape will vary.
One-of-a-kind listings ship the exact fish pictured.
If an Our Choice fish is out of stock, your order may ship on a later date. We will email you if that happens.

Holidays

Our shipping schedule changes around holidays when carriers close or slow down. Holiday schedules are posted on our homepage, and we will email you if your order is affected.

Local Laws

You are responsible for knowing your local and state laws on owning fish and aquatic plants. We cannot refund orders that are refused, seized or held because of local rules.

Contact Us

Email: info@garageaquatics.com
Instagram: @GarageAquatics
Facebook: GarageAquatics
TikTok: @GarageAquatics

Thank you for choosing Garage Aquatics.