Live Fish Delivery Process

LIVE FISH DELIVERY INFORMATION

Please read the information below before placing a live fish order. Shipping terms for all other (non-live) products such as food, filters, pumps etc can be found via our shipping policy page by clicking here.

Combined postage and packaging* for live fish is £23.99 for orders totalling £99.99 or below, and FREE for orders above £100. Livestock shipping is non-refundable.

Any DRY GOODS ordered with your fish will be sent separately via Royal Mail or Parcelforce.

*postage and packaging costs significantly increased July 2022 due to high fuel and supplier costs, find out more by clicking here.

 

All livestock will be delivered using APC or DX Courier - the only delivery companies in the UK licenced to carry live fish. Here is the process we follow to get fish delivered to your door:

 

  1. Once your order is placed, we will contact you to arrange a delivery date. Delivery can only take place on a Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday. This is to avoid the potential of fish remaining in a delivery depot over a weekend.
  1. Ensure you supply a valid mobile contact number and email address. Entering up-to-date contact information upon checkout will avoid delays. Keep an eye on your emails and junk folders, we will be emailing you to arrange delivery.
  1. Potential for delivery delays. For welfare purposes, couriers will not ship live fish consignments when daytime temperatures are excessively hot, or overnight temperatures are near or below freezing. We will inform you in the event of a weather-related delay.

 

AREAS WE DELIVER TO

We are unable to deliver live fish overseas or to postcode areas that are unreachable within a timescale that affects welfare in transit. Subject to change without notice.

England: We can ship to all areas of England with limited availability to the Scilly Isles and other tidal affected areas such as Barrow-in-Furness and Holy Island, Northumberland. We can ship to the Isle of Wight. Deliveries to central London postcodes E1, EC, SE1, SE11, SW1, WC and W1 may be subject to an additional fee (congestion charge).

Channel Islands & I.O.M: No service currently to Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man.

EIRE & Northern Ireland: No service currently to Ireland or Northern Ireland.

Scotland: We can ship to most areas of lowland Scotland with limited service to Highland areas. We cannot ship to the following Scottish postcodes: AB30-56, DD3-10, DG3-DG14, FK17-21, HS, IV, KA18-19, KA26-28, KA29-30, KW, PA20-78, PA80, PH3-50, TD, ZE.

Wales: We can ship to all areas of Wales apart from postcodes LL35 to LL48. 

 DX courier for live fish

 

 

HOW WE PACKAGE FISH FOR TRANSIT

Like in your local fish store, livestock will be packaged in an oxygenated fish bag containing a small amount of water. Pure oxygen gas is added to each bag in preparation for travel.

The fish bags are then packed securely into a lined polystyrene box, with activated heat packs to ensure the temperature is maintained. We ensure all heat packs are activated and generating heat prior to packing. Heat packs require air to activate, so small vent holes may be apparent in the box to ensure this.

During periods of cold weather and for added protection, the polystyrene box is further packed inside a cardboard box and sealed for transit. We affix 'live fish - handle with care' labels to the outer of the box to inform handlers that live fish are packed inside. We supply all fish with an acclimatising guide too, to help introduce your new fish.

 

HELP AND ADVICE

For more information on how we prepare fish for shipping, and advice on healthcare and general fishkeeping please click here to view our fishkeeping guide.

For care sheets and setup guides for all fish species visit our OATA Care Sheets page by clicking here.

If you are unsure about ordering fish online, click the icon below for advice.

To claim for losses in transit or within 48 hours of receipt please please visit section 4 of our fishkeeping guide for details.