Big Fish Aquarium
Shipping, Delivery + Livestock Guarantee
Know how your order ships, what to expect on delivery day and exactly what to do if livestock arrives DOA. Big Fish Aquarium ships eligible aquarium livestock and products throughout the continental United States using fulfillment methods based on the type of product ordered.
Last Updated: September 24, 2026Shipping Rates
Know your shipping before checkout.
Shipping rates are based on the products in your order. Livestock, plants, frozen foods, dry goods and oversized items may use different fulfillment methods and may arrive separately.
Livestock
Overnight Shipping
$34.95
FREE overnight livestock shipping on qualifying $150+ orders.
Shop Livestock →Dry Goods
Standard Shipping
$5.00
FREE standard dry-goods shipping on qualifying $49+ orders.
Shop Dry Goods →Live Plants
Plant Shipping
$9.95
Flat-rate shipping for eligible live aquarium plant orders.
Frozen Foods
Frozen Shipping
$39.99
Flat-rate temperature-sensitive shipping for frozen food.
Shop Frozen Foods →Large Items
Freight + Oversize
$69.00
Flat-rate shipping for products assigned to freight or oversized delivery.
All Online Orders
Minimum Order
$25
A $25 minimum applies to online purchases.
Shipping + Logistics
How we ship your order.
Eligible orders ship throughout the continental United States. Shipping methods vary based on product type, availability, weather and fulfillment location.
Professional Livestock Packaging
Livestock shipments use insulated packaging designed to help protect aquatic specimens during transit.
Seasonal Temperature Control
Heat or cooling packs may be used when appropriate based on seasonal conditions and expected transit temperatures.
Overnight Livestock Transit
Eligible livestock is shipped using overnight delivery to reduce time in transit.
Tracking
Tracking information is provided when your shipment is prepared so you can monitor delivery and plan to receive it.
Delivery Day
Be ready for your livestock delivery.
Live shipments are time-sensitive. Monitoring tracking and receiving the package on the first delivery attempt helps protect the livestock and is required for the Live Arrival Guarantee.
Watch your tracking.
Review the tracking information provided for your shipment and plan to receive the package when it arrives.
Receive the first attempt.
Livestock shipments must be received on the carrier’s first delivery attempt to remain eligible for the Live Arrival Guarantee.
Document it immediately.
If livestock arrives DOA, keep it inside the sealed shipping bag, take clear photos and contact Big Fish Aquarium within the required two-hour reporting window.
Weather Protection
Weather + carrier delays.
Livestock health comes first.
Big Fish Aquarium may delay livestock shipments during extreme temperatures, severe weather, carrier disruptions or other conditions that could put livestock at risk. If your shipment is affected, we’ll contact you with updated delivery information.
Livestock Information
General Stock + WYSIWYG livestock.
Know what the product photo represents before ordering.
General Stock
General-stock imagery represents the species or product type and may not show the exact individual animal you’ll receive. Natural variations in color, markings, size and appearance should be expected.
WYSIWYG
WYSIWYG means “What You See Is What You Get.” WYSIWYG livestock is individually photographed so you can shop the specific specimen shown in the listing.
Livestock Protection
Live Arrival Guarantee + DOA Claims
Qualifying overnight livestock shipments are protected by Big Fish Aquarium’s Live Arrival Guarantee when the delivery, documentation and reporting requirements below are met.
Receive the shipment.
The shipment must be received on the carrier’s first delivery attempt.
Photograph the livestock.
Take clear photos of any DOA livestock while the animal is still inside the sealed shipping bag.
Contact us within 2 hours.
Email bigfish@bigfishaquariums.com within two hours of delivery with your claim information and photos.
Include with your claim:
- Your order information
- The livestock item affected
- Clear sealed-bag photographs
- Your email sent within two hours of the recorded delivery
Important guarantee conditions:
- Shipping fees are non-refundable.
- The guarantee is void if the first delivery attempt is missed.
- Claims submitted outside the required reporting window may not qualify.
Big Fish Aquarium reviews qualifying claims after the required documentation is received and will contact the customer regarding the applicable resolution.
Before Your Order Ships
Double-check your delivery information.
Shipping Address
Review your name, delivery address, apartment or unit number and contact information before submitting your order. If something needs to be corrected, contact Big Fish Aquarium as soon as possible.
Missed Delivery
Livestock shipments must be received on the first delivery attempt to remain eligible for the Live Arrival Guarantee. Monitor tracking and make arrangements to receive the package.
Inventory + Fulfillment
Online inventory + in-store availability.
Online inventory and in-store inventory are separate. General-stock online livestock and other eligible products may be fulfilled through Big Fish Aquarium’s breeder, supplier or fulfillment partners and may not be physically available at the Chicago store.
Some merchandise is available in store only. UNS inventory is currently in-store only and is not part of the online ecommerce inventory.
Looking for a specific fish, coral, plant, invertebrate or aquarium product locally? Contact Big Fish before your trip to confirm current store availability.
Store inventory changes throughout the week. Online quantities should not be used as confirmation of physical store inventory.
Quick Answers
Shipping + livestock FAQs.
Why does my order have more than one shipping charge?
Livestock, plants, frozen foods, dry goods and oversized products can require different fulfillment methods. Mixed orders may therefore include separate shipping charges and may arrive in separate shipments.
When is livestock shipping free?
Qualifying livestock orders of $150 or more receive FREE overnight livestock shipping. Eligibility applies to the applicable livestock shipping method.
What should I do if livestock arrives DOA?
Leave the affected livestock inside the sealed shipping bag, take clear photos and email Big Fish Aquarium within two hours of delivery. The shipment must also have been received on the carrier’s first delivery attempt.
Can livestock shipping be delayed because of weather?
Yes. Big Fish Aquarium may delay livestock shipments when extreme temperatures, severe weather, carrier disruptions or other conditions could put livestock at risk.
Is the fish shown in the photo the exact fish I’ll receive?
Only when the listing is identified as WYSIWYG. General-stock imagery represents the species or product type, so natural differences in coloration, markings, size and appearance should be expected.
Is online inventory the same as what is in the Chicago store?
No. Online and in-store inventories are separate. Contact Big Fish Aquarium before visiting if you are looking for a particular livestock item or product.
Have a shipping or livestock question?
Contact Big Fish Aquarium before ordering if you need help understanding shipping, livestock availability or fulfillment for a specific product.