FAQ

All live fish are packaged in thick plastic shipping bags. The bags are filled with pure bottled oxygen and water treated in methylene blue as an extra precaution. The bags are tightly secured with a rubber band, and then placed into a sturdy corrugated cardboard box. The box is insulated with Styrofoam on all sides to maintain temperature and minimal movement. Over 98% of all fish we ship ultimately arrive at their destination healthy and ready for their new home.

We offer US Priority Mail, FedEx, UPS, and Southwest Air Cargo.

Our shipping rates start at $10 for Plants and Dry Goods, and $21 for Live Fish.

Yes, we ship within the Continental United States, Alaska, and Hawaii.

In most cases, we cannot and will not ship fish immediately after an order is received. We stop feeding your fish in order to clean out their digestive system. This lessens the chance of fish dying in transit due to poor water quality.

We ship fish out Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or sometimes Thursday (depending on your location) — whichever comes first. In most cases, we do NOT ship Friday or Weekends. You will receive a tracking number by email from us when your fish has been packed and prepared for shipment. We package them with pure oxygen and pack them in insulated boxes. It is best to have someone home when the fish arrives, so that your package does not sit outside your door in the hot or cold weather.

"Overnight shipping" refers only to the method by which the package carrier will deliver your fish. It does not mean that we will ship your fish the same day or even necessarily the next day after you order. Purging the fish prior to shipping must be factored in.

When we print your label, you will receive an email with a tracking number. The tracking number will not register any information until the carrier actually picks up the box. Please wait at least 3-5 hours and try again before contacting us.

Please remember that once a package leaves our fulfillment center, delivery is the responsibility of the shipping carrier. You must reach out directly to the shipping carrier to resolve delivery issues. Have your tracking number ready.

Yes! You can add items to your order as long as we haven't shipped it yet. Call or text us at 619-918-7052 or email contact@coastgemusa.com.

Orders must be canceled within 12 hours of the original order to receive a full refund. After the 12-hour period, ALL SALES ARE FINAL. Any refunds may be charged a 30% restocking fee. Full credit will be given toward future purchases. Refunds may take up to one week to be issued.

Contact us as soon as possible. In order to honor a DOA claim, you must contact us within 2 hours of the package being delivered (we use the delivery time provided by the carrier). Please take a photo of the loss in an UNOPENED BAG and email us at DOA@coastgemusa.com with a brief description and photos attached. We will issue store credit toward a future purchase. Shipping is non-refundable. We will not assume responsibility for fish that die due to the customer not being available to accept delivery on the first attempt.

Once a fish is added to your aquarium, we are not responsible for sudden deaths or illnesses. We ship healthy fish — once they are in your system, their continued good health is your responsibility.

All of our fish are quarantined for a minimum of two weeks before being listed for sale. All fish are monitored closely for any signs of health problems. If any health problems become apparent during quarantine, the affected fish are treated accordingly.

Any fish that was just shipped will be stressed. Allow a day or two for the fish to acclimate — their color will return. The pictures are taken before they are shipped to us and color changes are a natural part of the fish. Bettas have marble genes which means they can change color as they age.

Larger fish will be sexed, and the sex will be stated in the listing title. Any stated sex is made with our best assessment and cannot be guaranteed.

Yes! We have a brick and mortar store located at 139 Roosevelt Ave, National City, CA 91950. We are open to retail customers and walk-ins.

Yes. Even though most fish are listed on our website, we occasionally have fish in stock that haven't been listed yet. If you're looking for something specific, we can also try to import it for you.

You can call or text us at 619-918-7052 or email contact@coastgemusa.com. For DOA claims, please email DOA@coastgemusa.com.