saltwaterfish.com

November 26, 2025

What Saltwaterfish.com Is

Saltwaterfish.com is an online retailer focused on selling live marine aquarium livestock and related supplies to hobbyists. The site lists hundreds of saltwater fish species, corals, invertebrates, live rock, and aquarium equipment that customers can order and have shipped to their home aquariums. It’s been operating for more than two decades and positions itself as one of the larger players in the niche of online marine fish retail.

At its core, Saltwaterfish.com is set up like an e-commerce destination for the saltwater aquarium hobby. The homepage and catalog show a long list of fish categories (from angelfish and tangs to seahorses and sharks) alongside invertebrates, corals, clean-up crew organisms and reef aquarium supplies. Customers can browse, add to cart, and check out with shipping options for live animals.

The company’s address and contact info are listed as being based in Vero Beach, Florida, in the United States, though some community discussions online suggest that actual inventory fulfillment may come from other facilities or partner locations.

What You Can Buy There

Saltwaterfish.com sells a broad range of products for saltwater tanks, some of which include:

  • Live marine fish of many varieties (clownfish, tangs, wrasses, gobies, etc.)
  • Corals and reef specimens, including soft corals, SPS and LPS types
  • Invertebrates like shrimp, starfish, anemones, clams and crabs
  • Live rock and clean-up crews that help maintain biological balance in aquariums
  • Aquarium supplies — from test kits and additives to filters, lighting and maintenance equipment

A section called “WYSIWYG” (what you see is what you get) lets customers choose specific individual animals or corals by photo. That’s helpful because live stock varies — photos show exactly which specimen you’ll receive.

Shipping Live Animals

One of the big selling points Saltwaterfish.com promotes is its shipping and guarantee policies. They offer overnight temperature-controlled shipping for live animals and an 8-Day Live Guarantee on most livestock. That means if something arrives dead or becomes sick shortly after arrival, there’s a process — usually requiring customer contact — to make a claim.

Shipping live animals is complicated. The company claims they condition and acclimate fish and corals before they are packed in fresh, clean water that’s never been used before for other organisms. The packages are meant to maintain stable temperatures and oxygen levels during transit.

That said, experiences shared by real customers are mixed. Some hobbyists on forums say they’ve had good experiences with healthy livestock and warranties being honored. Others complain about issues like delayed shipments, dead animals on arrival, or poor customer service when they tried to resolve problems.

Sustainability and Sourcing

Saltwaterfish.com claims to take sustainability seriously. According to its descriptions, marine life is sourced from reputable global partners and aquaculture facilities that follow legal and ethical collection methods. They state that wild collection is done without harmful practices (like cyanide fishing) and that they also sell aquacultured and captive-bred corals and fish whenever possible.

They also say they comply with U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service rules and international standards, including CITES regulations for species that fall under treaty protections. This is meant to reassure customers that the animals are legally and ethically obtained.

Prices and Promotions

Prices at Saltwaterfish.com can be higher than what you might find locally at a fish store or at some other online retailers, according to community discussions. Some hobbyists indicate the pricing is competitive with local fish stores but not necessarily the best deal online.

That said, the site regularly offers daily deals, special promotions and free shipping thresholds. For example, at certain cart values (often $129 or more), customers can qualify for free overnight shipping. Signing up for newsletters sometimes unlocks coupon codes or bonus offers on animals or supplies.

Reputation and Reviews

  • Verified reviews: ShopperApproved and Trustpilot list the company as a marine fish and supplies retailer with user feedback, though some reviews are old and might not reflect the current state of the business.
  • Forum feedback: Reef aquarium communities online have wide-ranging experiences. Some users praise healthy arrivals and responsive warranty support. Others complain about dead livestock, customer service problems, or lack of refunds outside store credit.
  • BBB profile: Saltwaterfish.com is listed on the Better Business Bureau website but is not accredited and has some reports of poor customer experiences, including issues with live animal quality and resolution outcomes.

This mix of feedback suggests that results may vary depending on the specific fish or coral ordered, time of year, shipping conditions and how claims are handled if something goes wrong.

Educational Resources and Community

Beyond selling livestock, Saltwaterfish.com hosts educational content and resources. Their website includes guides for new hobbyists on tank setup, acclimation procedures and other aspects of marine aquarium care. They also run videos and a blog covering tank maintenance tips and species profiles.

Forums and community spaces connected to the site let hobbyists ask questions, share experiences, and get help from more experienced reef keepers. This makes the site not just a store but a hub of information for people interested in saltwater aquariums.

Who It Might Be Good For

Saltwaterfish.com might suit:

  • Hobbyists who don’t have access to a local fish store that stocks diverse marine life.
  • People who want specific fish or corals that are hard to find locally.
  • Aquarists comfortable with online livestock shipping and detailed acclimation.
  • Those who value educational guides and community support as part of their hobby.

Who Might Want to Be Cautious

Some reasons to be cautious:

  • Live livestock risk: Shipping live animals always carries risk. Even with guarantees, not all orders arrive in good condition.
  • Customer service reports: Mixed experiences with how issues are handled have been reported.
  • Price comparisons: Prices may not always be competitive with other online retailers or local stores, depending on what you’re buying.

Key Takeaways

  • Saltwaterfish.com is a long-running online store for marine aquarium livestock and supplies.
  • It offers fish, corals, invertebrates, live rock and tank equipment with real photos and “what you see” selections.
  • Shipping comes with temperature-controlled overnight service and an 8-Day Live Guarantee.
  • The company highlights responsible sourcing and sustainability, including aquacultured options.
  • Prices can be higher than alternatives, but there are ongoing deals and free shipping thresholds.
  • Reviews and reputation are mixed — some very positive, some very negative.
  • The site also serves as a resource with guides, blogs and community forums.

FAQ

Is Saltwaterfish.com legit?
Yes. It’s a real business that’s been operating for over 20 years as an online marine aquarium retailer.

Do they guarantee live arrival of fish?
They advertise an 8-Day Live Guarantee on most marine life, which is more extensive than many competitors offer and is meant to give buyers time to acclimate livestock.

Are their animals sustainably sourced?
The company claims to source responsibly and offers aquacultured and ethically collected specimens.

Can I find care tips on the site?
Yes. It includes guides, educational articles, and videos to help hobbyists learn about aquarium care.

Are customer reviews positive?
Reviews are mixed. Some customers report healthy arrivals and good support, while others cite issues with dead livestock and customer service.