Aquarium Depot Livestock Policies
Healthy Livestock, Shipped Overnight
Every fish we sell is held and observed in our Toronto systems for at least 14 days before it's offered for sale. Fish, corals and invertebrates only ship once they're healthy and ready to travel.
See how we care for our fish →
Shipping Rates
Fish, corals and invertebrates can be combined in one order and ship together in one box. You pay one flat rate per order, with the insulated box, packaging, and heat or cold packs included.
| Province | Flat Rate | Free Livestock Shipping |
|---|---|---|
| ON & QC | $39.99 | Over $349 |
| MB, NB, NS & PE | $54.99 | Over $499 |
| AB, BC, SK & NL | $64.99 | Over $499 |
- Free shipping amounts are based on the livestock subtotal, before tax. Dry goods don't count toward them.
- Dry goods in the same order ship overnight with your livestock where possible. Otherwise, they ship separately by ground.
- We don't ship livestock to the territories or to areas without overnight service.
Shipping Schedule
We ship livestock Monday to Wednesday only, so boxes never sit in a depot over the weekend. Every order is observed and prepared for 1–2 business days before it ships, then goes out on the next available shipping day. Orders placed by Thursday typically ship the following Monday.
Livestock ships primarily by FedEx Express. We also use Uber, same-day couriers, WestJet Cargo and Air Canada Cargo where they're faster or more reliable for your area. We may hold shipments during extreme heat or cold, and we'll contact you if we do.
Live Arrival Guarantee
If any fish, coral or invertebrate from an online order arrives dead, we'll issue an Aquarium Depot gift card for its full purchase price.
This is a live arrival guarantee only. It covers livestock that is dead when the box is opened. Once livestock arrives alive and is placed in your aquarium, we can't control water quality, tank mates or acclimation, so we don't cover losses after arrival.
To make a claim:
- Contact us within 2 hours of delivery at support@aquariumdepot.ca.
- Send clear photos of the dead animal, including one in its original unopened bag. In some cases we'll also ask for a video.
- Keep the animal until we've confirmed your claim.
Claims without photos can't be approved.
The guarantee doesn't cover:
- An incorrect shipping address.
- A missed first delivery attempt.
- WestJet Cargo, Air Canada Cargo or FedEx pickups not collected within 2 hours of being available.
- Refused packages, including damaged ones. Always accept the package and contact us.
- Courier or airline delays.
- Livestock that arrives alive and dies later, including during or after acclimation.
- Livestock not acclimated within a few hours of receipt.
Shipping charges are not refundable. All livestock sales, online and in-store, are final.
In-Store Purchases
The live arrival guarantee applies to online orders only. Once livestock bought in store leaves our facility, we can't guarantee its health or survival. How it's transported home, how long it stays in the bag, how it's acclimated, and the water quality and tank mates in your aquarium are all outside our control, and each of them affects whether an animal settles in.
Questions?
Not sure about compatibility, tank size or shipping to your area? Contact us before you order.