• SaltwaterFish

SaltwaterFish

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Overview

SaltwaterFish has a rating of 1.4 stars from 73 reviews, indicating that most customers are generally dissatisfied with their purchases. Reviewers complaining about SaltwaterFish most frequently mention store credit, customer service, and live aquaria problems. SaltwaterFish ranks 31st among Aquariums sites.

  • Service
    27
  • Value
    26
  • Shipping
    26
  • Returns
    20
  • Quality
    25

This company does not typically respond to reviews

Positive reviews (last 12 months): 0%
Positive
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How would you rate SaltwaterFish?
Top Positive Review

“Love this place!”

Thomas N.
6/2/22

I have only but good experience with saltwaterfish.com. Quality of the animals is great and their customer service is top notch. Always eager to receive the email specials since there is also a great deal. Most places only sell corals but here you can find everything, fish, corals, invertebrates, rock and aquarium supplies. I have had a saltwater aquarium now for 6 years and purchased from other locations but I know stick with saltwaterfish.com.

Top Critical Review

“Fish arrived DOA, no credit or reship.”

Mike T.
7/17/24

Save your money and buy elsewhere. Bought several fish in order to receive a free one. Paid fish were fine upon arrival, though not packed the best, but the free one was of course dead. Of course they will do nothing about it - in reading other reviews it seems they ship dead or sick fish as part of free promotions.

Reviews (73)

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store credit (10)
Thumbnail of user miket846
1 review
0 helpful votes
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July 17th, 2024
Verified purchase

Save your money and buy elsewhere. Bought several fish in order to receive a free one. Paid fish were fine upon arrival, though not packed the best, but the free one was of course dead. Of course they will do nothing about it - in reading other reviews it seems they ship dead or sick fish as part of free promotions.

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Thumbnail of user autumnflores529
1 review
0 helpful votes
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June 26th, 2024
Verified purchase

They have a special buy $249 you get a free fish. I chose a blue hippo tang. I thought, these guys are usually $100 easily. So I received my package, the blue tang was dead in the bag. I did what I was supposed to and they told me I could get a free one on my next order. I told them I will not be placing a next order because I don't have $200 for another order nor the room in my fish tank for more. I told them I would like a replacement sent. They said too bad so sad we don't do that for free fish. So, I spent more than I wanted to, to get the free fish, then I don't even get to enjoy it since it was dead. I guess they didn't specify if the free fish was going to be dead or alive so there's that. It's a scam. A dead fish is a dead fish, it should be replaced. If I sent a broken item to a buyer, I would have to send out a replacement. That's how fair customer service works. Not here though. Don't spend your money here.

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Thumbnail of user codyh350
1 review
0 helpful votes
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April 5th, 2024

I used to like this saltwaterfish.com but not anymore because they won't let me buy stuff from them and they said that they kicked me out from buying anything from them again. When I never did anything that they are saying that I filed against them with my PayPal account but I got hacked and the hacker attacked all of my social media accounts trying to get money from people so, now I feel like they are discrimination against people who have disabilities because I have bought stuff from their website for my saltwater aquarium.

Tip for consumers:
http://kidswithspecialneeds.weebly.com

Thumbnail of user tristani83
1 review
0 helpful votes
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April 25th, 2024
Verified purchase

They send whatever they want size wise. They send me a replacement fish and it was not bigger than 1", the previous one it was more than 4-5 inches, but arrived doa

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Thumbnail of user billyevans043
1 review
0 helpful votes
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April 26th, 2024
Verified purchase

I have a 200 gallon proclear rimless tank it was established all water perimeters were perfect had the tank cycling for 6 months before ordering over 30 saltwater fish from them some dead on arrival but now I have two left and they don't look like they are gonna live much longer.We all need to open a class action suit against them for shipping out sick fish and now I'm being told I have break down the tank and bleach everything killing all my corals anemones leathers because it looks like they all had uronema from one of there chromis damsels and i was told if I add any other fish they will be infected as well.And they want pictures of the dead fish as they were dying in my tank I couldn't get pictures of most of them because I have over 300 pounds of live rock hermits and Snails. They send us sick diseased fish they die and disappear in our tanks they do owe me a122.00 dollar credit but I spent about 600.00. Im never never getting fish from them again.Everyone beware they are scammers and aren't selling disease free fish I just feel bad for the people who loose their fish that the newly ordered fish killed.I had a bunch of pics because they are anal about you sending in pics of the dead fish on a white back ground but I deleted them all who keeps dead fish pics on their phone im using my credit for them now but not for fish just corals but they are gonna bang me for the 29.00 plus 15.00 shipping boxing fee

Tip for consumers:
They charge ridiculously high prices and send sick diseased fish and should be shut down put out of business. Because its abuseful what they are doing to us customers and the fish.

Products used:
Saltwater fish

Thumbnail of user jeffa1231
1 review
0 helpful votes
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March 17th, 2024

I ordered 5 fish from saltwater fish.com. All 5 bags were extremely loose with no air pumped into bag. 1st bag ( lemon peel angelfish) gills were red, died overnight. 2nd bag ( blue tang was 3/4 of an inch, bumps very visible on fish) 3rd bag ( neon dottyback just under one inch looked hungry and not cared for, died second day. 4th bag blue Fiji damsel, flukes all over it, the 5th bag Fiji damsel was ok). My main concern is they are killing fish every day, because they don't care enough to put oxygen in bags, must be where they can save on expenses. If a zero was on the rating scale that's what it would be.

Tip for consumers:
N/a

Products used:
Only 2 damsels survived this transaction

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Thumbnail of user tylerc467
1 review
0 helpful votes
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June 19th, 2022
Verified purchase

Placed an order and it charged me but never loaded confirmation page and no emails. The money from account sure got deducted though. Shop elsewhere until they fix this issue, or scam. Whatever you'd like to call it.

Tip for consumers:
Shop elsewhere

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Thumbnail of user amyi11
1 review
5 helpful votes
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September 12th, 2017

Decided they could not provide the fish advertised, claimed I would get a refund for one fish in the order. Still have yet to see it. The two other fish were shipped to me without any option to change, meaning I was charged full shipping despite getting a partial order. When the fish arrived, one was dead upon arrival, but since I did not have time to file a report without 5 hours of delivery, they claim they will only give store credit. Absolutely terrible experience. These people are thieves.

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Thumbnail of user thet75
1 review
4 helpful votes
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September 5th, 2018

Bought crabs, snails, and a fish. Packaged arrived in 110 degree weather in late afternoon. I read on their website that they checked the weather? Opened box and it was like a sauna in there. All crabs and snails were not packed in water and were cooked upon arrival. Fish arrived in dirty swamp like water and I tried to save it, but it died 2 days later.
They gave me store credit for everything after arguing with them for 3 days. But now I'm trying to use up the credit and there's no free shipping unless I order double the amount and there charging $10 more for packaging?
I guess I'll clear my account out, but never again. BTW- There prices are $2 to $10 more than Live Aquaria.

Thumbnail of user courtneyv87
1 review
0 helpful votes
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June 8th, 2022
Verified purchase

Purchased some beautiful corals and fish from them. The package arrived quickly, and the box was packed very well! It has been over a month, and all of the hammer coral and gobies are doing wonderfully. Quick and easy process - Will certainly be returning!

Products used:
Fish and coral

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Quality
Thumbnail of user thomasn835
1 review
0 helpful votes
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June 2nd, 2022
Verified purchase

I have only but good experience with saltwaterfish.com. Quality of the animals is great and their customer service is top notch. Always eager to receive the email specials since there is also a great deal. Most places only sell corals but here you can find everything, fish, corals, invertebrates, rock and aquarium supplies. I have had a saltwater aquarium now for 6 years and purchased from other locations but I know stick with saltwaterfish.com.

Tip for consumers:
sign up for their specials

Products used:
All of them.

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Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality
Thumbnail of user michaelp161
1 review
3 helpful votes
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August 28th, 2015

Place an order with them yesterday it was confirmed by PayPal the policy says 24 hour shipping I got a client that has a daughter's birthday party tomorrow morning that's expecting almost $1,000 worth of fish that is not going to be here told earliest Tuesday. Customer service is a joke. I see a law suit coming for false advertising

Thumbnail of user viamustang
1 review
0 helpful votes
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September 14th, 2023

The shipping is a problem. It had me either pay an extra $6 or pick it up at a holding place. Although fish came alive and well, I'm still annoyed about the packaging fee. I think their store is a little bit overpriced to be honest. Not sure if it's worth it as foxy salt water fish is a lot better. They care a lot more. And I've received healthier and better shipments.

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Thumbnail of user mistyb16
2 reviews
4 helpful votes
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March 18th, 2016

I did business with them. Half my fish died, within 3 days. They are crediting me a couple of dollars. That's the guarantee. You still have to pay the 40.00 shipping fee and 6.00 handling fee. I will never do business with this pathetic company again

Thumbnail of user chrisc306
1 review
6 helpful votes
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December 20th, 2016

Have found that a lot of the fish arrive dead, diseased or die within a few days. They do not back up their guarantee policy, and are not the least bit accommodating to their customers.
I would never recommend this company to ANYONE.

Thumbnail of user shawnk72
2 reviews
6 helpful votes
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September 1st, 2018

I will never buy from saltwaterfish.com again. These people have messed up my order twice on the same order. They ship out fish that are in no condition to make it to the tank. I had one of the bags leak out and the fish was dead on arrival. The customer service is horrible. I've been hung up on after being on hold for over 30 mins! Then when do get a hold of them. I tell them the order is messed up. They are rude about it. Im taking my business elsewhere, no thank you. Good luck saltwater fish.com you need to change the way you treat your customers! Never again!

Thumbnail of user pa89
2 reviews
3 helpful votes
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August 3rd, 2019

Too many casualties, either dead fish on arrival or a week later. Guarantees with credit are quick but that's not the point. Packaging was also not great. I thought my water parameters were the issue but I had no problem with the competition. You lost me for good. I am not returning. Thanks.

Thumbnail of user patrickr59
1 review
6 helpful votes
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September 28th, 2017

I have purchased from them multiple times, every time the fish are sicker, emaciated, and now have killed off all my fish I have had for years. They send you the smallest snails, hermit crabs. The last two shipments they sent me dead fish, twice. And did not honor their own guarantee. Only gave me credit for one fish, was supposed to be a cash credit... do not buy from them.

Thumbnail of user robk89
1 review
5 helpful votes
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July 31st, 2018

They ship out fish in deplorable condition. I'd say the leftover dead and dying stock. Tried two multiple orders, and same results. Out of a total of 15 fish ordered... two made it and are still alive. Most were on their way to death before they were shipped, it was pretty obvious. I'd order elsewhere if you have to order online.

Thumbnail of user onemrt02
1 review
0 helpful votes
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October 12th, 2023
Verified purchase

Ordered and paid for shipping. They use FEDEX overnight. FEDEX won't deliver your order early unless you pay an additional 6.99. Well I got the overnight at the end of the day. After sitting in the back of a hot FEDEX truck. When I opened the box the bag of snails water was completely drained. Luckily the snails survived as they can survive out of water for some time. The bag with coral barely had water remaining. One head is damaged and struggling on arrival. The cleaner shrimp was so small it molted in the bag during shipment. It's been two days since acclimation and I haven't seen it in the tank since. It's probably dead from the stress of loosing almost all its bag water. Whoever packed my order didn't bag them well. I don't think 41 bucks for the shrimp I ordered was worth it. I won't be ordering from saltwaterfish.com again. Bad experience. I rather go to my LFS and wait for things I want to be available.

Thumbnail of user kenm119
1 review
5 helpful votes
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November 8th, 2016

I purchased 2 fish from Saltwaterfish, they arrived the next day and in seemingly good condition. I followed the enclosed acclimation process and all was fine. Within 2 weeks my well established tank was in trouble. I performed a complete chem test with everything showing good readings. At nearly the 2 week mark both new fish were dead and others were looking ill. I was told they had Crypto, since I have coral all I could do was turn off all lighting and lowered the salinity during the next few days. To no avail all of my fish are dead.
With nothing new introduced into my tank for many-many months there is little doubt the ICH came from these fish. I received only a store credit for the 2 fish that I purchased.
Tough luck.

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Thumbnail of user shawnn32
1 review
6 helpful votes
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February 20th, 2018

Takes your money never ships, tells you delayed and still never ships. Very limited communication. Place order they set up delivery day never update with delivery info, received a message stating cold weather delayed shipping which is fine, but never update new shipment date.

Thumbnail of user jiml295
1 review
4 helpful votes
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October 22nd, 2018

I left a previous review extolling the virtues of this site. Today, I received a phone call informing me that my order was too heavy and there would be a $20 shipping fee. This makes the order too expensive. Why was this fee not disclosed prior to my completing the order? Not happy!

Thumbnail of user daved189
4 reviews
10 helpful votes
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August 18th, 2018

After ordering a few times from saltwaterfish.com I had been happy with the fish I received. In today's order however I received a tiny cleaner shrimp that was DOA. I contacted a rep and was told that since it was a 'rreebie' there was no guarantee. In my opinion its not much of a 'freebie' if it arrives dead. Disappointed with this experience.

Thumbnail of user sheilar432
1 review
0 helpful votes
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June 8th, 2022

Skeptical of ordering online, however process was easy and simple, had a couple of questions regarding delivery, customer service through their live chat was fast and informative! Order was delivered ontime! Rec'd my livestock and begin acclimating as instructions stated (were included- that was a plus) It has been 2 weeks since my delivery, and everything is doing fantastic, will for sure order from here again when ready!

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Buy Saltwater Fish, Tanks, Corals, Invertebrates and Aquarium supplies at SaltwaterFish.com. Saltwaterfish.com also has forums, news and advice for saltwater fish hobbyists

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