If you want to buy tropical or marine fishes, where do you go? Your local fish store, right? But did you know that you can also source beautiful, healthy fish via an online aquarium store? You can even bid for prize specimens at online auctions! Who knew?
These days, professional fish breeders are experts in packaging and shipping their livestock all over the world, so you can be pretty confident that your purchases will arrive in good condition. Buying fish online is surprisingly affordable and straightforward too, and you have a much wider choice of species than you’ll find in your local fish store.
So, where’s the best place to buy fish online, and can you order fish online? In this guide, we introduce you to 25 of the best online fish stores.
25 Best Places To Buy Live Fish Online
Now that you can buy fish online, the sky’s the limit when it comes to what species you can display in your home aquarium. With that in mind, here are our 25 favorite places to buy live fish online.
Petco
- Freshwater, tropical, marine
- U.S.-based
- Online and local store network
Petco is a general pet store that also sells a wide range of fish and supplies for the aquarist, including tanks, fish food, medication, etc.
They offer a wide choice of fish, goldfish, and even eels. Reviews of Petco’s online service are generally very good, and fish typically arrive on your doorstep in good condition.
Saltwaterfish.com
- Marine
- U.S.-based
Saltwaterfish.com is a U.S. online fish store that specializes in selling marine fish species, corals, invertebrates, live rock, and more. They also offer a good range of aquarium equipment geared toward marine and reef setups. There’s also a useful forum, news, and free advice on keeping saltwater fish.
Delivery is via FedEx and is free if you spend over $79 on your order. If you want to, you can arrange to pick up your order from your local FedEx depot, free of charge. Check with the store to find out when is the best time to place your order for next day delivery.
Amazon.com
- Freshwater, tropical, marine
- U.S.-based
Amazon.com is the biggest online marketplace in the world, offering a phenomenal range of products from books and DVDs to furniture, clothing, sports equipment, and much more.
You can also buy live fish via Amazon’s platform and anglers can also buy fishing brand equipment too. Amazon doesn’t sell fish itself, but it is used by fish breeders and retailers to advertise their livestock for sale. So, although you can place your order via Amazon, your delivery will come directly from the supplier. For that reason, always check where the retailer is based before you order. The further your fish have to travel, the more stressed they are likely to be, and that could lead to disease.
Liveaquaria.com
- Freshwater, tropical, marine
- U.S.-based
Liveaquaria.com is just about the largest online fish store in the U.S, offering sustainably raised saltwater and freshwater fish, corals, reef rock, invertebrates, and plants. You can buy pretty much anything that you need for your aquarium from this online store, including a wide range of frozen and dried fish foods.
Live Aquaria offers free standard shipping on qualifying orders. Qualifying orders ship free utilizing the shipping method standard to its specific shipping category. Order totals for aquatic life and aquatic supplies are processed separately to qualify for Free Shipping ($179 & up, and $29 & up respectively). Exclusions apply so feel free to visit their website for more details.
MarinefishEZ.com
- Marine
- U.S.-based
- Online saltwater fish store
MarinefishEZ.com is an online fish store that specializes in selling hand-selected saltwater aquarium fish. You can find a wide range of rare specimens for sale, including sharks and rays, inverts, and corals. They also offer fish food and general aquarium supplies.
Delivery is by UPS, and next-day delivery is guaranteed for sensitive corals and inverts.
Salty Bottom Reef Company
- Marine
- U.S.-based
The Salty Bottom Reef Company is an online shop that supplies all-things marine to hobbyists who love saltwater fish.
Here, you can buy live rock, dry rock, tropical marine fish, clean-up crews, macroalgae, anemones, and live corals. Beginners to the saltwater hobby can even buy a complete setup that includes everything you need to get started.
Everything that the company supplies is sustainably sourced.
Aquariumcreationsonline.net
- Marine
- U.S.-based
- Online saltwater fish store
Aquariumcreationsonline.net is an online fish store that specializes in marine fish, invertebrates, corals, live sand, marine plants, and live rock.
This supplier takes the health of its stock extremely seriously and has a holding facility that’s dedicated to acclimating wild-caught fish before they are sold. Delivery is overnight by UPS and is free for some orders. The website also has lots of information about caring for marine creatures.
Petsmart.com
- Freshwater, tropical, marine
- U.S.-based
- Online pet supplies store
Petsmart is an online store that sells general pet supplies, including aquarium equipment and some live fish too.
The fish that you’ll find on Petsmart are mainly different varieties of GloFish, although they do have goldfish too.
Twincitiesguppies.com
- Guppies, plecos
- U.S.-based
Twin Cities Guppies specializes in breeding and importing guppies and plecos for sale online. The range of guppy varieties available is mindblowing! You can also buy Endlers and plecos.
Prices aren’t the cheapest that you’ll find on the net, starting at just under $50 for a pair of guppies. That said, if you’re an enthusiast who loves to breed guppies and create new colors and patterns, this is the online store for you.
Aquabid.com
- Tropical, marine, freshwater
- U.S.-based
- Online fish auction site
Aquabid.com is the eBay of the aquarist hobby. On this auction site, you can find pretty much anything you need for your aquarium hobby, including fish, snails, plants, filters, etc. You open a free account, search for what you want, and then “buy it now” or enter the auction and bid on the desired item.
The site is pretty user friendly, but many of the fish dealers who use it are Thai-based. That can lead to complications in getting your fish shipped, depending on the regulations in your region. So, be sure to check what’s permitted before you bid.
Aquaticarts.com
- Tropical, freshwater
- U.S.-based
Aquaticarts.com sells freshwater fish, invertebrates, plants, and fish care supplies, including foods, tank decorations, water treatments, and testing kits.
There’s also a blog, lots of articles on fish care, and plenty of promotions to read. Next day delivery of live fish is via UPS, and live arrival is guaranteed. Aquaticarts.com is committed to animal welfare, and shoppers who adopt an unwanted pet from a shelter receive a $50 voucher to use against purchases from the store.
Bluezooaquatics.com
- Marine
- U.S.-based
Bluezooaquatics.com is an online fish store that sells marine fish, invertebrates, corals, live rocks, and saltwater plants.
The website is very user-friendly and includes lots of educational articles and a reference index of links where you can learn all about the fish species that they have for sale. You can also subscribe to a newsletter if you want the heads-up on offers, new arrivals, and the like.
Delivery is via FedEx.
eBay
- Freshwater, marine, tropical
- U.S.-based
eBay is well-known worldwide as an online auction site, where users can buy everything from cars and electrical goods to furniture. You can buy new or used items, and the site is now home to many professional sellers.
You can also buy live fish on eBay. What’s available varies from week to week, and delivery is dependent on the seller. In fact, many eBay live fish sellers insist on collection in person, so do make sure that you can do that before buying or bidding.
Vividaquariums.com
- Marine
- U.S.-based
Vividaquariums.com specializes in dealing with corals and marine fish, and they also sell aquarium supplies. The dealers offer a 15-day livestock guarantee and free shipping on orders over $225.
The website is very user-friendly and is packed with lots of useful links, educational videos, and helpful articles.
Aquahuna.com
- Freshwater, tropical, coldwater
- U.S.-based
Aquahuna.com is an online fish store that sells freshwater fishes and invertebrates, including goldfish, pond fish, and more. So, if you’re looking for a selection of colorful fish to add to your collection, this is a great site to check out.
If you order fish from this supplier, your fishes are guaranteed to arrive alive and survive for at least three days. During the winter, fish are shipped with heat packs, and every effort is made to ensure that livestock arrives in good condition. If not, you get your money back.
Wetspottropicalfish.com
- Freshwater, tropical, coldwater
- U.S.-based
- Online and terrestrial fish store
The Wet Spot is a large tropical fish store in Portland that also offers live fish for sale online. There’s a wide variety of tropical fish species to choose from, including some invertebrates, and goldfish are also available. Live plants are also stocked, as well as some aquarium supplies.
Orders are processed in-store, and live delivery of your fish is guaranteed.
Imperialtropicals.com
- Freshwater, tropical
- U.S.-based
Imperial Tropicals offers a very good range of tropical fish and some invertebrate species, as well as a decent selection of dry goods, fish foods, plants, and other aquarium supplies.
Cichlids are a specialty here, and there’s a wide variety to choose from. Shipping is quite expensive in comparison to other online fish stores, but every effort is made to ensure that your order arrives alive and healthy.
Aquariumfishsale.com
- Freshwater, tropical, marine
- U.S.-based
Aquariumfishsale.com is an online fish store that sells live tropical freshwater and saltwater fish, invertebrates, and corals, as well as a range of aquariums, food, and fish medication. Live plants are also available.
All livestock orders are dispatched via UPS for overnight delivery. Orders over $139 are shipped free, although there is a small packaging charge. Live arrival of your order is guaranteed, although if your fish dies the very next day, you have no redress to the supplier.
Petesaquariums.com
- Freshwater, tropical, marine
- U.S.-based
- Online and terrestrial fish store
Pete’s Aquariums & Fish is a New York-based fish and aquarium store that also has an online ordering facility and a very smart website.
The store sells a jaw-dropping range of marine fish, freshwater species, pond fish, and more unusual specimens, including jellyfish, octopus, cucumbers, and starfish. Orders are dispatched via FedEx with overnight delivery that’s free for orders over $199. Live arrival is guaranteed, and you also get a 14-day warranty on your order.
JLAquatics.com
- Tropical marine
- U.S.-based
- Online and terrestrial fish store
J and L Aquatics has a terrestrial fish store, as well as an online presence. They sell all kinds of aquarium equipment and supplies, from fish food and substrate to protein skimmers and aquariums.
The live fish offered for sale are primarily marine species, including a nice range of unusual specimens, including urchins, seahorses, corals, cucumbers, and scallops. Delivery is free.
Aqua-imports.com
- Tropical, freshwater, marine, amphibians
- U.S.-based
Aqua-imports.com is an online fish store that sells just about every tropical freshwater and marine species you can think of, including amphibians, invertebrates, and even some reptiles. They also sell live plants.
The store specializes in dealing with exporters and suppliers of rare and unusual fish from all around the world. Live arrival is guaranteed, but with caveats, so do clarify their terms on the species you order before you go ahead.
Petzonesd.com
- Tropical and coldwater freshwater
- U.S.-based
- Online and terrestrial fish store
PetZone is a fish store that’s based in San Diego. They sell freshwater species, including coldwater pond fish and some invertebrate species, and they also offer a wide range of fish care products, aquariums, and live plants. The website has some interesting articles explaining how to acclimate your new fish and how to care for your aquarium plants.
Live arrival is guaranteed, and all fish and other livestock are shipped via FedEx Priority Overnight.
Yourfishstore.com
- Tropical freshwater, marine, reptiles, exotics
- U.S.-based
Yourfishstore.com is an online seller that offers a huge range of tropical freshwater and marine fish, reptiles, invertebrates, exotic animals, corals, reptiles, and more. You can also buy just about everything that you need for your fish, including aquariums, fish food, water treatment, lighting, etc.
All livestock orders are shipped via FedEx Overnight Priority, but shipping fees vary considerably, so I recommend that you check what the cost of your order is before going ahead.
Theifishstore.com
- Tropical and coldwater freshwater fish
- U.S.-based
Theifishstore.com offers a wide selection of pond and freshwater aquarium fish and has a good reputation for providing great customer service.
The store has a good choice of species, including lots of betta varieties, fancy goldfish, GloFish, and even Arowanas for those who have a large tank and are looking for an impressive feature fish. An impressive selection of unusual invertebrate species is also on offer.
rfitropicalfish.com
- Tropical and coldwater freshwater fish
- U.S.-based
RFI is a long-established online seller of high-quality tropical freshwater fish species. They currently offer over 730 species of exotic and unusual aquarium creatures, including invertebrates, cichlids, African cichlids, and more. RFI are specialists in discus fish, and they also sell some amazing feature fishes, such as gars and stingrays.
As well as fish, RFI offers plants, fish food, and miscellaneous aquarium supplies.
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed this guide to the best places to buy live fish online.
As you can see, even if you live in a region that doesn’t have many good local fish stores, you don’t need to miss out. In fact, you are almost guaranteed to find a much wider selection of fish species and invertebrates online than you would in most high street fish stores and pet shops. So, if you want something rare or unusual to add to your display aquarium, online shopping is definitely the way to go.
We’d love to hear about your experiences of shopping for live fish online. Share your story with us in the comments box below, and be sure to share this guide with your friends!
