Quick start (read this first)

Open immediately on arrival. Live animals can run out of oxygen in sealed bags.

If the box is hot/warm, open and start acclimation straight away.

Before you begin

Turn aquarium lights OFF for 6–12 hours

Have a clean bucket/container ready (never use soap)

Optional but recommended: air stone in the container during acclimation

Step-by-step: Fish (most fish orders)

Estimated time: 20–45 minutes

Float sealed bag(s) in the aquarium 10–15 minutes to equalise temperature.

Open bag and pour fish + water into a clean container.

Add small amounts of tank water to the container:

1/4 cup every 5 minutes (or similar small amount)

Continue for 20–30 minutes

Net fish into the tank. Do not pour shipping water into your aquarium.

Leave lights off and do not feed for 12–24 hours.

If fish arrive stressed (lying on side / heavy breathing):

Prioritise fresh oxygen (air stone) and stable temperature

Keep lights off, reduce noise/movement

Step-by-step: Shrimp (must drip acclimate)

Estimated time: 2–3 hours (important) Shrimp are highly sensitive to changes in water chemistry. Drip acclimation is required to reduce osmotic shock.

Pour shrimp + bag water into a clean container.

Use airline tubing (or a drip kit). Start a siphon from the tank to the container.

Tie a loose knot or use a valve to set drip rate:

1–2 drips/second (target)

When water volume in the container doubles, remove half and continue dripping.

Repeat until you’ve acclimated for 2–3 hours.

Net shrimp into the tank. Do not add shipping water into the aquarium.

Lights off for 6–12 hours. Feed lightly the next day.

Snails (ramshorns, etc.)

Estimated time: 30–60 minutes Use the fish method, but slower is better. Snails also dislike sudden changes.

Temperature extremes and delays

If your delivery arrived during heatwave conditions or after extended transit:

Start acclimation immediately

Add an air stone if available

Keep environment calm and lights off

If livestock arrived DOA, contact us with photos as soon as possible so we can help.

What we need if something arrived DOA

Please send:

Photo of the livestock in the unopened bag

Photo of the label/tracking

Brief note of arrival time and water temp if known