Live Fish Shipping at Aquarium Central

Introduction

Curious about how we manage to safely deliver live fish throughout Australia? Dive into the details below.

Shipping Schedule:

  • Order Timing: Orders must be finalised by 7:00 PM Queensland time on Sunday for shipping on the upcoming Tuesday or Wednesday. Orders placed outside this timeframe may be deferred to the following week.
  • Dispatch Days: Live fish orders are dispatched every Tuesday and Wednesday using our premium Next Day Service.

Public Holidays Adjustments:

  • Long Weekends: We do not ship live fish after long weekends or during weeks with public holidays on Monday through Thursday (excluding specific local/state holidays).
  • Friday Holidays: When a public holiday falls on a Friday, shipments are adjusted to Monday and Tuesday.

Shipping Costs:

We charge a flat rate of $35.00 for fish shipping via Startrack/Aramex, regardless of the quantity. (TOLL PRIORITY excluded)

Packing Process:

  • Fish Health: Aquarium Central guarantees healthy fish. Please note that all fish images on our website are examples, often showcasing mature and male fish. Fish sent may differ in size, colour, and sex, as we generally sell un-sexed fish.
  • Tracking Info: After dispatch, our courier partners will email you a tracking number.
  • Packaging Details: Fish are packed in tailored transport bags with freshwater and a specific shipping solution. The bags are oxygenated, sealed, and placed in Styrofoam boxes to ensure warmth and safety during transit.

Delivery Requirements:

  • Home Presence: It’s essential for customers to be at home when the live fish delivery is made. Failure to be present could void any Dead On Arrival (DOA) claims.

Quarantine & Legal Notices:

  • For WA Customers: The WA Quarantine Department inspects all live fish shipments entering WA at a cost billed to the buyer. It’s the buyer’s responsibility to know what can and can’t be imported into WA.
  • For NT and TAS Customers: Due to quarantine restrictions, we don’t ship live fish without a permit. Permit holders must email us a copy before shipping.
  • Prohibited Species: Local laws may restrict certain fish or plants. Customers are responsible for knowing these laws. Aquarium Central isn’t liable for any issues or costs arising from prohibited items.

Fish Substitution Policy

  • Stock Availability: If the fish you ordered are unavailable or don’t meet our standards, we offer substitution options. During checkout, you can choose:
    • Accept Substitutions (default): We’ll replace unavailable items with similar or higher-value alternatives within the same species family (e.g., Tetra for Tetra).
    • Decline Substitutions: If you prefer not to accept substitutions, unavailable items will be refunded, and the rest of your order will be processed. If more than half of your order is unavailable, the entire order may be paused or refunded.

We do not make phone calls for substitution approvals. If you decline substitutions, any out-of-stock or rejected items will be refunded, and the remainder of your order will ship as planned.

Dead On Arrival (DOA) Policy:

  • Guarantee: We guarantee the live arrival of your fish. For any DOA cases, please follow the instructions included in the box. After verification, a system credit will be issued if applicable.
  • Detailed Policy: For full terms and conditions of our DOA policy, click here.

Note on Fish Images:

Please be aware that all fish images used on our website are examples, typically showcasing adult males. The fish you receive may differ in size, colour, and sex, as we sell un-sexed fish in most cases.

Conclusion

Thank you for choosing Aquarium Central. Dive into a blissful aquatic experience with us!