Quarantine and Shipping - Online Aquarium and Fish Store

The iFISH Store Takes
Aquatic Life Seriously

Vast Collection of freshwater and pond fish
Strict importation standards
State-of-the-art facility
Rigorous quarantine and shipping practices

Quarantine

Once your order is placed and we select your fish, they are quarantined for at least 24-48 hours. During this period, we closely monitor the fish to make sure they are healthy.  

During the quarantine period, the fish are not fed the final 12 hours prior to shipping to help clean out their digestive system and limit their ability to soil the water. This lessens the chance of fish dying in transit due to poor water quality.

Healthy fish at your doorstep

The iFISH Store has been helping aquarists create freshwater aquariums and ponds spanning two decades! It’s our top priority to safely deliver healthy and thriving fish to your doorstep! Learn more about our quarantine and shipping standards.

Shipping via FedEx

Once the quarantine process is completed, your fish will be packed following our Standard Packing Procedure outlined below. To ensure the best possible value for our customers, we have transitioned from a single flat-rate fee to a new zone-based pricing model for shipment via FedEx Next Day Delivery. This allows us to calculate costs more accurately based on your distance from our facility. The contiguous United States is now divided into three shipping zones, each with a corresponding flat-rate fee:

Zone 1 (Northeastern US): $39.99
Zone 2 (Midwestern & Southeastern US): $49.99
Zone 3 (Western & Central US): $59.99

Your order will be shipped out the following Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or sometimes Thursday (depending on your location)—whichever comes first. In most cases, we do NOT ship on Friday or Saturday. Please find your state in the list below to identify your shipping zone. At The iFISH Store, our top priority is ensuring that we provide you with good healthy fish by following a set process to meet that priority and our live arrival guarantee.

Zone 1 - Northeastern US

CT, DC, DE, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VA, VT, WV

Zone 2 - Midwestern & Southeastern US

AL, AR, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, OH, SC, TN, WI

Zone 3 - Western & Central US

AZ, CA, CO, ID, KS, MT, ND, NE, NM, NV, OK, OR, SD, TX, UT, WA, WY

Live arrival guarantee

The iFISH Store guarantees that your fish will be delivered alive and healthy. In the unlikely event that you receive a perished fish, do not worry. You can choose to receive a credit on a future order or a refund.

In order to receive the credit or refund, we require a clear picture within two hours of the first delivery attempt. Please remove the perished fish from the shipping bag and place it on a white background. Email the photo to us at info@theifishstore.com.

Please Note: The 2-hour window means you must send the information within two hours of receiving your fish. We will get back to you as soon as possible but it may not be within that 2-hour window. Nevertheless, we will honor our Live Arrival Guarantee.

Additionally, in order to receive the Live Arrival Guarantee, you must be home to receive your fish on the first delivery attempt.

We do not refund shipping costs.

Standard packaging procedure for aquatic life

Explore how we prepare your fish for their journey to your doorstep

Step 1

The process starts as soon as we receive your online order. Using a pick list, we go through and select each type of fish in your order and place them in separate containers. The containers help keep your order organized and reduces stress on the fish.

Step 2

Once your order is assembled and ready to go, we bag your fish. We double bag with this first set filed -25% with aquarium water (for Discus, methylene blue is added to prevent bacterial growth). We then fill the remainder of the bag with oxygen, and it is tightly closed with a rubber band.

Step 3

Next, we put the double bagged fish upside down into a third bag, resulting in a triple-bag scheme to contain potential leakage and provide extra protection, durability and longevity.

Step 4

Multiple bagged fish are then secured together with plastic wrap to ensure added stability during shipment.

Step 5

Bagged fish are then placed in a styrofoam box. This helps insulate the water inside and keep it at the optimum temperature. The inside of the box is lined with newspaper for added stability.

Step 6

Just before closing up the box for shipping, we determine the anticipated weather in the destination address. Depending on the temperatures, we will add a heat or cold pack to the shipment to make sure the fish stay comfortable during their journey.

Step 7

Finally, we tightly seal up the box, attach the shipping label an send it out for shipment.

Receive Live, Healthy Fish The First Time With The iFISH Store!

The iFISH Store goes to great lengths to ensure that you receive thriving fish at your doorstep, every time. To learn more about our facility or quarantine and shipping methods, reach out and connect with The iFISH Store today.

Quarantine & Shipping

The iFISH Store Takes Aquatic Life Seriously