Shipping & Livestock Policy

At Discover Aquatics, we take every precaution to ensure your fish and corals arrive safely and in excellent condition. Please review our shipping policies before placing your order.

Shipping Rates

• Flat Rate Overnight Shipping: $44.99
• FREE Overnight Shipping: On eligible fish and coral orders of $500 or more.
• We ship within the continental United States. We do not ship to Alaska or Hawaii.
• Sale items do not qualify for free shipping unless explicitly stated in the offer.

All livestock orders ship via UPS Next Day Air® to help ensure the safe arrival of your aquatic animals.

Shipping Schedule & Delivery

We ship livestock Monday through Thursday, with delivery typically scheduled for the following day. We do not ship on weekends.

• Select Your Shipping Date: Choose your preferred shipping date at checkout.
• Delivery Times: Most orders arrive before noon the following day. Delivery times may vary depending on your location and UPS service availability.
• Shipping Carrier: All livestock orders ship exclusively via UPS Next Day Air®.

We strongly recommend having someone available to receive your delivery. For additional protection, we recommend arranging to pick up your shipment directly from your local UPS Customer Center, where available, to minimize transit time and stress on your animals.

Shipping dates and delivery times are subject to weather conditions, livestock availability and carrier operations. We may contact you to reschedule shipment if conditions could compromise the safety of your livestock.

Shipping Address & Refused Shipments

Customers are responsible for providing an accurate and complete shipping address at checkout, including apartment or unit numbers, ZIP codes and any necessary delivery information.

All orders are shipped to the address provided during checkout.

Discover Aquatics is not responsible for misdelivery, loss, theft, delays or return-to-sender outcomes caused by incorrect or incomplete shipping information or refused deliveries.

Orders delivered to the shipping address provided at checkout or refused by the recipient are not eligible for Dead on Arrival (DOA) coverage for losses resulting from those circumstances.

Please double-check your shipping information before completing your purchase.

Free Local Pickup

Customers in the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky area can take advantage of free local pickup.

Simply select Local Pickup at checkout, and we'll contact you when your order is ready.

Pickup Location:
Discover Aquatics
5054 Old Taylor Mill Rd
Taylor Mill, KY 41015

Dead on Arrival (DOA) Guarantee

We take great care when selecting, inspecting and packaging our livestock. In the unfortunate event that an animal arrives deceased, please follow the instructions below to submit a DOA claim.

DOA Claim Requirements

To qualify for our DOA guarantee, you must:

1. Contact us within 2 hours of the recorded delivery time.
2. Email at least two clear photographs, including at least one showing the deceased animal submerged in water.
3. Include a video clip of at least 5 seconds showing the deceased animal submerged in water.
4. Include your order number and identify the affected livestock.

Send all DOA documentation to:
DiscoverAquaticsShop@gmail.com

Important DOA Conditions

• All required documentation must be received within 2 hours of delivery.
• Do not discard or dispose of any deceased livestock until we have reviewed your claim and instructed you to do so.
• Claims submitted after the 2-hour window or without the required documentation are not eligible for DOA coverage.
• Approved DOA claims are issued as store credit toward future purchases.
• Original shipping charges are nonrefundable.
• Customers are responsible for shipping costs associated with replacement livestock.

We reserve the right to review all submitted documentation before approving a DOA claim.

Livestock Packaging

The health and safety of your livestock are our top priorities.

We use high-quality insulated shipping containers designed to help protect fish, corals and other aquatic animals during overnight transit.

Our packaging process includes:

• Insulated shipping containers to help maintain stable temperatures.
• Secure, appropriate packaging for each type of livestock.
• Double-bagging of corals when appropriate.
• Heat or ice packs when necessary, depending on weather conditions.

Packaging methods may vary based on the species, size and specific shipping requirements of each animal.

Our Water Parameters

To help customers prepare for their livestock's arrival, we maintain the following water parameters in our marine systems:

Parameter	Typical Level
Salinity	1.025–1.026
Alkalinity	8–9 dKH
Magnesium	1450+ ppm
Calcium	450 ppm

These parameters are provided as a reference to help you prepare your aquarium and plan the acclimation process.

Water parameters may vary between individual holding systems and shipping bags. Always acclimate new livestock appropriately before introducing it into your aquarium.

Livestock Returns & Exchanges

Due to the sensitive nature of live aquatic animals, all livestock sales are final.

We do not accept returns or exchanges on fish, corals, invertebrates or other livestock.

Please do not attempt to ship livestock back to Discover Aquatics, as we cannot accept returned animals.

If your order qualifies for our DOA guarantee, please follow the claim procedure outlined above.

This policy does not limit any rights that cannot legally be excluded.

Expert Livestock: Sharks, Rays, Eels & Other Advanced Species

Certain livestock, including some sharks, rays, eels and other advanced species, require specialized care, established aquariums and stable water conditions.

Products labeled Expert are recommended only for experienced aquarists who understand their specific husbandry requirements.

Our standard DOA guarantee applies to eligible Expert livestock upon arrival, provided all DOA claim requirements are met.

However, livestock labeled Expert is excluded from any extended guarantee following successful arrival.

Once these animals arrive alive and in good condition, customers assume responsibility for their ongoing care, acclimation, aquarium compatibility and water quality.

Please research the specific requirements of any Expert livestock before purchasing.

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Questions About Shipping or Your Order?

We're happy to help! If you have questions about shipping, livestock availability or preparing your aquarium for a new arrival, please contact us before placing your order.

Discover Aquatics
5054 Old Taylor Mill Rd
Taylor Mill, KY 41015
Email: DiscoverAquaticsShop@gmail.com