Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How do you pack my shipment?
A: Fish are packed in insulated boxes, with clean water and pure oxygen. Heat packs or ice packs are added when necessary at no additional cost. We have had extreme cases where packages have been delayed and still survived. While we would never intentionally put our fish in that situation, delays are sometimes inevitable. For that reason, we take the utmost care in how we package our fish.
Q. How long from when I place my order will it be shipped?
A: The answer depends on the complexity of the order in question. Simple straightforward orders may ship out as early as same-day. Complicated orders such may take several weeks, or in worst-case scenarios, several months. For example, international orders are particularly complex, as they require abundant paperwork, health certificates, and a certificate of origin.
Orders containing breeding pairs may necessitate the parents complete spawning prior to being shipped. Also, orders containing rare strains may involve waiting for our next incoming shipment to arrive in order to complete the order.
All submitted orders are guaranteed to be fulfilled in a reasonable amount of time. We never intentionally hold a customer's money or cause delays within our control. Regardless of the circumstance, we maintain that keeping open communication with customers has always been the best policy.
Q. How often should I feed my discus fish?
A: Discus fish should be fed at least 2-3 times per day. Only feed them as much as they will eat in 5 minutes. Do not overfeed them. Be sure to vary the type of food you give them every feeding. Discus fish require a varied balanced diet.
Q. How old is a 3 inch discus fish?
A: The 2 inch discus we sell are 3 to 3.5 months old. If fed properly multiple times per day, discus will grow half an inch every month. The maximum size of discus fish is 8-9 inches!
Q. How should I set up my tank for discus?
A: Once you have done your research on the fish that you want to buy, you need to make sure that you have the proper environment for your fish to live in. That means having a healthy, cycled tank for them to go into. It is good to have a spare tank set up, so you can acclimate your fish to your water before adding them into a community tank. Always use aged aquarium water with healthy bacteria in it. Discus thrive in aquariums equal to or larger than 75 gallons.
Q. I am going away on vacation. How should I feed my discus while I’m gone?
A: If you are going away the best option for feeding discus is to not feed them at all! Stop feeding them 48 hours before leaving. The day before you leave make sure to do a water change. Discus can survive without food for up to 4 weeks without a problem. It is not recommended that you have someone else feed the discus for you while you are away unless they are going to perform water changes for you. The uneaten food will turn into bacteria that will foul up your water quality causing the discus to get sick. If you plan on being away for more than 4 weeks then you should make arrangements for someone to feed your discus and perform one water change per week.
Q. I just received my fish and they appear scared or stressed out? What should I do?
A: It is normal for discus to become stressed and/or scared during shipment and once they are released in their new environment. You should keep the aquarium lights turned off for the first 48 hours of introducing the new discus to your tank. During those 48 hours they will be more likely to eat with the lights off. They may not eat right away and may take up to 1 week before they start eating which is normal and does not cause the discus any harm.
Q. I just received my fish and they don’t resemble the photos on your website. Why?
A: Most pictures are taken with out-of-water full-grown adult fish who are showing their maximum color and size potential. Any fish that was just shipped will be stressed. Allow a day or two (or occasionally more) for the fish to acclimate to their new environment – their color will return. This stress can also affect a fish’s appetite. They may not eat for the first day or two. Be careful to not over feed during this period, as uneaten food will rot and diminish the water quality.
Q. Is it possible to make a purchase using 2 separate credit cards?
A: Yes, purchase a gift certificate with card #1 first. Once we email you the redemption code, you may then proceed with your purchase using card #2.
Q. May I receive actual photos of the fish I’m purchasing?
A: Yes -- each specific photo you'd like will cost $20. Taking photos requires time. Our time is extremely valuable, and we will charge for it. The total cost of the photos will be deducted from your order once you place it. We are the #1 discus seller by volume in the world. Our product photos are extremely accurate and representative of actual fish received. Please refer to our customer review photos found on the bottom of each fish on its description page, or check out our customer review section.
