Will my fish look like the fish in the picture?
There are many factors when it comes to Cichlid coloring. It's something scientists marvel over as the colors change due to new environments, feed, dominance, and much more.
Your order is exactly what our cameras capture; however, when it gets to you, the vibrancy might change and the coloring may appear different. Please give your fish ample time to acclimate from the stress of shipping and being in a new atmosphere. Their full color will show beautifully again!
How do you measure and sex your fish?
When fish are 1-3 inches, they are not sexually mature enough to vent. By ordering fish this young we cannot guarantee what gender you will receive.
Our older cichlids are large enough to vent and we can tell by looking at their underbelly what you will receive. Please visit our Cichlid Information page for more information.
Can I make changes to my order?
Due to our limitations and safety issues, we can't accommodate order changes or cancellations.
What is your cancellation policy?
Cancellations are not allowed.
Shipping Information
How much is shipping?
We charge a flat rate of $49 for UPS Express (1-2 days) and $75 for overnight. We do not discount shipping for any reason. Shipping is NON-REFUNDABLE for any reason.
Where do you ship to?
We ship to the lower 48 states.
For more details, please visit our Shipping Information page.
Miscellaneous Information
What do I do if my fish are dead when I receive them?
First, try to water-temp them (see the Distressed section below). Sometimes the fish go into a trans-like state during shipping and just need some time to recover. On the rare occasion that a fish is deceased or sick when you receive it, you MUST CONTACT US within 2 HOURS of delivery time. We will ask for photos and the photos MUST be of the fish in the sealed packing bag and the label visible for us to fully refund the DOA fish.
How do I acclimate my fish?
Low lighting helps fish feel more comfortable so dim the lights in the aquarium and the room before placing the new fish in the tank. If you already have an inhabited aquarium, we recommend placing the new fish in a separate tank with a similar environment to your permanent aquarium. That way it can acclimate to its new surroundings without having to contend with co-habitants.
Tip: Don't feed your fish immediately upon introducing a new fish, it can cause aggression and higher stress for your new fish.
Temperature can be a shock to new fish and extra care is required to make sure they are comfortable. Your fish will arrive in plastic bags and for proper acclimation, place the plastic bags in the aquarium. They should sit in the bag in the aquarium for about an hour. Then, place your fish (not the bag water, just the fish) into the aquarium with a net, slowly.
My fish seem distressed, what do I do?
Some fish have trouble with the bag water and air. You can open the bag and allow them to float to the surface. If needed, pour the bag and the fish into a bucket or tub so they have more room to swim.
If your fish appear to be cold, take out a couple of cups of water at a time and replace it with the aquarium water. Repeat this process for about an hour. After the temperature feels right, you can integrate your fish into the aquarium.
