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Tips on mail-ordering corals, fish and supplies!!!

CORALS, FISH and INVERTS:

I have been ordering fish, corals, and inverts via mail-order for the past five or six years and have compiled notes on each company that I would like to share with other hobbyists. I would like to say that these have been my experiences and other hobbyists may or may not have had similar experiences. I have spent a few thousand dollars mail-ordering fish, corals, and inverts and have listed the companies and my experiences with them below. I do not want to get into who’s better than who, but I have a good idea on who to call for a particular specimen and who will provide one with the best value for the money.
 
 

Aquatic Specialists (Fish, Live Rock, Corals)

1-423-687-2704, http://www.aquatic-specialists.com/

Has a good reputation and will not sell you a fish that is not eating already. Will not sell fish that has a low probability of surviving in the home aquarium. The prices are comparable to the discount mail-order companies and the quality is unmatched. When you order from Aquatic Specialists, you get a guarantee of live delivery and that the fish was eating and corals were thriving before they are shipped. They have excellent live rock that has been put aside and cured especially for you. Whatever the number of pounds of live rock, it is handled and shipped with TLC. Overall, this is one of the best places to mail order fish and corals that I have experienced. As the saying goes, you get what you pay for and what you pay for from Aquatic Specialists is excellent quality, a wide selection of corals, live rock and fish, excellent customer service and reasonable prices.
 
 

Aquatic Technology (Fish, Live Rock, Inverts, Corals, Salt, Supplies)

1-800-5-coral-8 Orders, 1-216-235-8263 Info., http://www.aquatictech.com/

This place is only ten minutes from were I work so I am always going here for items that I need very fast. Has a good overall selection and prices are very competitive. Greg has a very large reef tank (275 gallons) with about five or six Metal Halide bulbs on it (Talk about electric bill!!!). Nothing but good experiences with AT. Greg also had Scarlet Reef Hermits three or four years ago. Live arrival guarantee!!!
 
 

Aquatic Connection (Live Rock, Corals)

1-800-798-7625 Orders, 1-954-441-5999 Info. http://www.aquacon.com

I placed an order (45lbs.) for the imported rock offered by Aquacon and I have just one word to describe it…WOW!!! This rock has the most diverse life on it than any other type of rock I have purchased. For example, one piece of this rock has more life on it than my recent shipment of 50lbs. of Fiji live rock together. There are corals, sponges, chitons, sea urchins, hermit crabs, algae (three types), tube worms, and more… The most surprising thing was that the rock was cheaper than any other rock available on the web. If you want diverse life forms to go along with your premium Fiji rock, than look no further. I also purchased a few corals and they were spectacular as well.
 
 

Flying Fish Express (Live Rock)

1-800-239-7121, http://www.ffexpress.com/

I have heard a lot about flying fish express since they opened in '97 and decided to place and order for their hand picked Fiji live rock. My box (44bs.) of hand picked Fiji live rock from Flying Fish Express is the best Fiji live rock that I have ever seen. I have over 350lbs. of Fiji rock and this rock is by far the very best. I knew something was special when I pulled it out of the box because it smelled like FRESH, CURED rock. There was no odor whatsoever... This is amazing!!! There are quite a few stowaway brain and porities corals as well. Here is the weirdest part. I have yet to see a bristle worm. I have never had live rock delivered that was not loaded with bristle worms. Flying Fish Express has done an excellent job with the hand picked Fiji live rock. I definitely recommend Flying Fish Express for Fiji live rock. My coral and fish order will be coming soon...
 
 

Harbor Aquatics (Corals , Fiji and Bali Rock)

1-219-764-4404, http://www.harboraquatics.com/

This place has the best pictures that I have seen for corals on the web. They have a picture of their inventory too (very nice looking clams and corals). The live rock was spectacular. When they say fully-cured, they meant it. There was no odor (rotten egg smell) at all when I received my shipment of live rock (Fiji and Bali). The Bali rock is really neat. It is an egg shaped rock covered with coralline algae. I was very impressed with the live rock and the corals (four of them). Live arrival guaranteed!!!

Marine Center (Live Rock, Corals, Fish, and Snails)

1-817-295-3988, http://www.themarinecenter.com/

They have a very knowledgeable staff and just like Aquatic Specialists, they will hold your fish selection for as long as it takes for it to eat before shipping it. They will not ship corals that are dying or in bad shape just to make a fast buck. If you want high quality fish or corals, this is one of the best places. Live arrival guarantee!!!
 
 

Neptune Imports (Fish)

1-305-784-7770

 Good overall selection of fish and the prices are excellent. Got an 8in porcupine puffer for $12. My notes are few on NI since I have not purchased anything from them in about two years, but puffie is still alive and growing!!! Live arrival guarantee!!!
 
 

North Coast Marines (Corals, Live Rock, Fish)

1-888-685-4070, http://www.northcoastmarines.com/

NCM has great prices and a good selection. The 350 gallon display tank is out of this world with hydnophora spreading like wildflowers. Prices were very competitive and the quality was excellent. There were pieces of premium live rock with button polyps and ricordia mushrooms on them. The fish selection was also impressive with each fish having its own private space and not overcrowded in one tank like most places. The prices on the fish were some of the lowest that I have seen on the web. I definitely recommend NCM!!!
 

Reef Displays (Fish, Corals, and Inverts)

1-305-743-0070

 This is one of the best places to get anything from the Caribbean region. I have had nothing but great success with everything from RD. Knowledgeable staff that really does personally fill your order. Order something on Monday, they go get it on Tuesday, and ship it out to you on Thursday. Good overall selection and great prices on Astrea snails. I would recommend them to anyone who wants fish, corals, and inverts from the Caribbean. Live arrival guarantee!!!
 
 

Reef Science International (Fish, Corals)

1-800-270-2021, http://www.reefscience.com/

 A good resource for 100% captive bred fish, corals and clams. Certified captive breed. Live arrival guarantee!!!

Sea-Lective (Live Rock)
1-305-872-8905,http://www.sealective.com/
If you are looking for quality Florida Live Rock, Sea-Lective is NOT the place to go...  I was 110% disappointed in their rock.  There was absolutely NO life on the rock at all and the pieces were all quite small.
 

Sea Critters (Live Rock and Corals)

1-813-986-6521, http://www.petsforum.com/seacritters/Default.html

 Another good resource for quality Florida live rock. One of the original places who has Aquacultured live rock. I am not sure about live arrival guarantee with them.

Tampa Bay Saltwater (High-Quality Florida Live Rock & Invertebrates)
1-813-875-3574, http://www.tbsaltwater.com/
There is one word that describes Tampa Bay Saltwater and that word is WOW!!!  That is the first word that I said when I opened up my box of Aquacultured Coral Rock from Tampa Bay Saltwater.  Every pound of my live rock was submerged in water, YES, you read correctly, submerged in water.  This is the first time in my 8 or so years of ordering live rock that the entire shipment was sent submerged in water.  The rock had quite a bit of diverse life on it and since all of the rock was in water, all of the sponges, corals, barnacles, bi-valves, etc... are alive and well.  My hat goes off to Tampa Bay Saltwater for having a facility to send live rock in crystal clear water.  There was absolutely no die-off on the rock and the water had no foul odor whatsoever.  I can't wait to place another order and this time, I will take quite a few pictures and post them on my website.   I definitely recommend Tampa Bay Saltwater to any hobbyist looking for quality live rock with excellent marine life...

The Salty Critter
1-440-967-1634,http://www.saltycritter.com/
A great place for live rock, salt, fish and hardgoods.  I have visited this place and purchsed several dozen items.  I recommend it 110%
 

Tropicorium (Live Rock, Corals, Clams, Inverts, Fish,...everything)
1-734-782-2622, http://www.tropicorium.com/

Tropicorium is by far the biggest and best place to get just about anything for your reef or saltwater fish aquarium.  There are thousands of corals in the tanks and dozens of fish to choose from. There is enough live rock in the store to fill up an entire garage and then some. The best thing about Tropicorium is that most of the corals are grown in-house so you know that you are getting a hardy speciman that will surely thrive in your tank.

Never order from a company that does not have a live arrival guarantee policy. They almost always blame the shipping company and tell you to file a claim with whoever delivered your package.

Never order from a company that will only accept money orders or C.O.D. This is a red flag because if anything goes wrong, you have no one on your side.

Always use a major credit card. If you have a dispute, ask your card company to withhold payment until it is resolved. This has worked out well for me over the years. You may have to write a letter explaining what happened to your credit card company and make sure you send a copy to the place you ordered from.

Always ask if the fish is eating. Many times the fish are so stressed out from capture that they never recover. Order from places that guarantee that the fish will be eating when shipped.

Always ask if the coral is attached to a base. You may have a very difficult time trying to attach it yourself. Corals that come with no base have just been hacked of the rock and need to be given time to heal before shipment, but places just ship it anyway.

Talk to the staff and ask them how everything is packed and shipped and how long they have been in business.

Check references for compatibility with your existing fish or corals. Many times we get that "choice" specimen only to find out it is not compatible with our existing inhabitants.

Compare prices!!!. Do a web search on the company and see if anyone has commented on the service and selection of the company.

Ask for actual shipping charges. There can be a few hidden charges such as box charge, handling charge, heat pack charge, etc.. Separate the cost of the fish/corals from the shipping in order to figure out just how much it costs to ship. You will find out that it costs and average of $50US to get a shipment to your door. If you know that you only want a few items, then try to place an order with a company that includes shipping in their prices. UPS, Airborne Express, and FedEx have minimum box charges. If you are ordering just live rock, look into getting it shipped Air-Cargo. You will find that you can ship up to 100lbs. Air-Cargo for under $40. The bottom line is that if you see items in your local store that are very expensive and you see prices advertised for much less, factor in shipping and unless you order several items at once, you will find out that you actually paid more to bring that specimen home going mail-order.

See if a friend will go in with you on a shipment. This usually works out better and much cheaper.
 
 

Aqualink - 1-800-827-0117, http://www.aqualink.com/

Everything!!! I got my power compacts from them and the staff was very friendly.
 
 

Aquatic Technology- 1-800-5-coral-8 Orders, 1-216-235-8263 Info., http://www.actwin.com/aquatictech

Just 10 minutes away from work and has good prices.
 
 

Champion Lighting Supply - 1-800-673-7822

All your pump, protein skimmer and lighting needs
 
 

Debron Aquatics - 1-800-249-4375

Great place for just about anything.
 
 

Mail Order Pet Shop - 1-800-366-7387, http://www.mopetshop.com/

Excellent service and return policy. Cheapest shipping charges.
 

North Coast Marines (Corals, Live Rock, Fish)

1-888-685-4070, http://www.northcoastmarines.com/

 Large selection on aquarium hardgoods and books as well. Also sells quite a bit of used equipment.
 
 

Pets Warehouse - 1-516-789-9300 (585-9300), http://www.petswarehouse.com/

I catch them when they have a good sale.
 
 

That Fish Place - 1-800-733-3829

Very large selection. Recently purchased a product called "Stop Aiptasia" and it really works killing Aiptasia anemones.
 
 

The Aquarium - 1-800-258-8444, http://www.aquariummo.com/

Have good sales every now and then. Can order frozen food from them too.
 

The Salty Critter
1-44-967-1634, http://www.saltycritter.com/
A great place for live rock, salt, fish and hardgoods.  I have visited this place and purchsed several dozen items.  I recommend it 110%

DISCLAIMER:

These are just my personal experiences that I would like to share with other hobbyists that might consider mail-ordering saltwater fish or corals. I believe that reef keeping is a combination of science and art and all of us can have a beautiful painting in my eyes!!! Please e-mail me with your comments , questions and suggestions!!!