Live fish shipping, explained

Each fish is individually bagged in fresh, oxygenated water with breathing room to spare, then double-bagged for security. Bags go into an insulated polystyrene box inside a sturdy outer carton, cushioned so nothing shifts in transit. Depending on the weather on dispatch day, we add a heat pack (cold months) or a cold/gel pack (hot months) to keep water temperature stable for the whole journey.

Every box is clearly marked LIVE FISH — THIS WAY UP and PRIORITY, and we pack to handle a full day in transit plus a buffer — not packed to the minute.

Live fish are dispatched next business day only — no weekend dispatch. We'll call or email to confirm delivery timing and the live arrival guarantee before your order ships.

Orders placed before 12pm AEST on a business day are boxed and dispatched the same day; orders after that cut-off go the next business day. Fish never travel on a Friday, over a weekend, or the day before a public holiday — that avoids a box sitting in a courier depot over a break.

We currently ship with a specialist live-animal courier (exact carrier confirmed per destination). Most Australian capital cities receive orders next-day; regional and remote addresses can take 2–3 business days. We’ll always confirm an expected delivery day with you before your order ships.

Live fish can’t be left in a mailbox or on a doorstep, and they can’t sit at a depot for days waiting to be collected — so someone needs to be home to receive and open the box promptly on delivery day. We’ll confirm your delivery day with you in advance by phone or email specifically so you can plan to be there.

If a delivery attempt is missed, the courier will contact us and we’ll work with you directly to arrange a redelivery as soon as possible. Because every extra hour in transit matters for live animals, please let us know straight away if your availability changes after ordering.

We guarantee your fish will arrive alive and healthy. In the unlikely event a fish doesn’t survive the trip, contact us within 4 hours of delivery with a clear photo of the affected fish still in its original bag, and we’ll arrange a replacement or refund for that fish — no argument, no hassle.

The guarantee covers the trip itself, so it depends on the box being opened and checked promptly on arrival — another reason we confirm delivery timing with you beforehand rather than shipping blind.