Standard Shipping Box
Sturdy brown shipping boxes are selected for the number of fish, order size, and packaging needs.
- Sturdy brown cardboard exterior
- Box size selected for your order
- Prepared for live aquatic shipments
Care for every mile
How we pack your fish
Packed With Care, Shipped With Confidence.
Every fish deserves a carefully prepared journey. Discover how we package your aquatic friends for shipping.
Weather-Protected Insulated Box
Additional insulation and reflective foil wrapping help reduce temperature fluctuations during transit when added weather protection is needed.
- Reflective foil wrapping
- Thicker insulation for added protection
- Selected for shipments needing weather protection
Box sizes for both packaging types
- 7 × 7 × 6 inches
- 8 × 8 × 10 inches
- 10 × 10 × 12 inches
We select a box based on the number of fish, order size, and packaging needs. Weather-protected packaging is used when additional protection is needed.
Real Packaging. Real Care. From Tropicflow Aquatic to Your Door.
Optional shipping upgrade
Give Your Fish Extra Protection During Shipping.
Add weather protection or choose faster delivery to help reduce transit-related stress and give your fish additional care on their journey.
From Standard Shipping
Weather-Protected Shipping
+$20 USD additional
From Standard Shipping
UPS Next Day Air
+$40 USD additional
From Weather-Protected Shipping
UPS Next Day Air
+$20 USD additional
Optional upgrade • Separate invoice • Subject to availability
No payment is required when submitting this request. Our team will review your order and send a separate invoice if the upgrade is available.
Submitting a request does not change your shipping method. An upgrade is confirmed only after our team reviews availability and the separate invoice is paid.
🐠 Shipping & Delivery Policy
At Tropicflow Aquatic, our priority is helping your live fish, shrimp, snails, and aquatic plants arrive safely and in good condition.
Because live aquatic animals are sensitive to temperature and long transit times, we strongly recommend choosing Weather Protection Shipping or UPS Next Day Air whenever possible.
⭐ Recommended Shipping Options
Faster transit and additional weather protection can significantly reduce the amount of time your livestock spends in transit.
🥇 UPS Next Day Air
100% Successful Delivery Rate*
100% Successful Delivery Rate*
Our fastest and safest shipping option. Highly recommended for valuable, sensitive, or weather-sensitive livestock.
🛡️ Weather Protection Shipping
95% Successful Delivery Rate*
95% Successful Delivery Rate*
Our recommended balance of speed, weather protection, and cost for most live aquatic orders.
*Successful delivery rates are based on Tropicflow Aquatic's historical shipping results and are provided for informational purposes. They do not guarantee the outcome of an individual shipment. Carrier delays, weather, delivery conditions, and other factors may affect results.
📦 When We Ship
We normally ship live orders Monday through Wednesday, excluding federal holidays. This helps reduce the chance of your package being held by a carrier over the weekend.
Orders may also require a short quarantine, health check, and preparation period before shipment.
🌡️ Important Weather Notice
Extreme heat, cold, storms, or sudden temperature changes may cause us to temporarily hold your order. We may wait for a safer shipping window before releasing live animals for transit.
🚚 Choose Your Shipping Method
🥇 UPS Next Day Air — Safest Option
Historical Successful Delivery Rate: 100%*
- Our #1 recommended shipping option.
- Fastest transit time after your order leaves Tropicflow Aquatic.
- Reduces the amount of time livestock remains inside the shipping box.
- Highly recommended during very hot or cold weather.
- Recommended for rare, high-value, or sensitive fish.
- May be required for larger or particularly sensitive livestock.
- Receives our highest processing priority during limited safe-shipping windows.
🛡️ Weather Protection Shipping — Recommended
Historical Successful Delivery Rate: 95%*
- Recommended for most live aquatic orders.
- Provides faster shipping than our Standard option when applicable.
- Includes additional insulation and weather protection when needed.
- Heat or cooling protection may be added depending on conditions.
- Recommended when temperatures are below 50°F or above 90°F.
- Recommended for high-value or weather-sensitive livestock.
- Receives processing priority over Standard Shipping.
📦 Standard Shipping
Standard Shipping is available for customers who prefer a lower-cost shipping option, but it may involve longer transit times and longer weather-related holds.
- Typically used during moderate weather conditions.
- Best when temperatures are approximately 50°F–90°F.
- May be held during extreme heat or cold.
- Processed after Next Day Air and Weather Protection orders during limited safe-weather windows.
- Transit times may vary depending on the destination and carrier.
💡 Our Recommendation
For live fish and other aquatic animals, we recommend upgrading from Standard Shipping to Weather Protection Shipping whenever possible. For the fastest transit and highest level of shipping protection, choose UPS Next Day Air.
❄️🔥 Shipping Priority During Extreme Weather
Safe shipping windows can become very short during extreme summer or winter temperatures. When this happens, orders are processed according to shipping priority:
- 🥇 UPS Next Day Air
- 🛡️ Weather Protection Shipping
- 📦 Standard Shipping
If you are located in an area experiencing extreme temperatures and want to reduce the chance of an extended shipping hold, we strongly recommend selecting Weather Protection Shipping or UPS Next Day Air.
Standard Shipping orders may remain on hold until weather conditions are considered safe enough for the longer transit time.
If we determine that your order cannot safely ship using the selected service, we may offer:
- An upgrade to the recommended shipping service, or
- A refund if you prefer not to proceed with the required shipping upgrade.
🌦️ Weather-Related Delays
Your livestock's safety comes first. We may temporarily delay shipments because of:
- 🔥 Extreme heat
- ❄️ Extreme cold
- ⛈️ Severe storms
- 🚚 Carrier disruptions
- 🌪️ Natural disasters or unsafe transit conditions
If your order is affected by a significant shipping delay, we will provide an update by email.
🧾 Order Confirmation & Tracking
- You will receive an order confirmation email after completing checkout.
- Once your order ships, you will receive a tracking number by email.
- Carrier tracking may occasionally update slowly even while your package is already moving through the network.
📲 Watch Your Tracking Number
Live animals should be received as soon as possible after delivery. Please do not allow the package to remain outdoors, especially during hot or cold weather.
❤️ How We Protect Your Order
Each live shipment is prepared based on the livestock, destination, shipping method, and weather conditions.
- 💨 Oxygenated fish bags
- 📦 Protective packaging
- 🌡️ Thermal insulation when needed
- 🔥 Heat packs when appropriate
- ❄️ Cooling protection when appropriate
⏱️ Important: Shipping Speed vs. Processing Time
Next Day Air, 2-Day, Express, and other expedited shipping names refer to carrier transit time after your order ships.
They do not mean your order will leave Tropicflow Aquatic on the same day it is placed. Live animals may require quarantine, health checks, preparation, and scheduling before shipment.
💬 Need Help Choosing?
If you are unsure which shipping option is best for your location, our team is happy to help.
For most customers, we recommend Weather Protection Shipping. For the safest and fastest option, choose UPS Next Day Air.
📩 Email:
tropicflow@tropicflow.com
🌐 Website:
www.Tropicflow.com
*Historical successful-delivery percentages reflect Tropicflow Aquatic shipping data and past results. Individual shipment results may vary and are not guaranteed due to weather, carrier delays, customer availability, delivery conditions, and other circumstances outside of Tropicflow Aquatic's control.