• 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
0
Neutral
0
Negative
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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 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 jenniferw109
1 review
4 helpful votes
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November 12th, 2015

Bought hundreds of dollars worth of fish from them. First time... when i went pick them up from Fedex they looked all sick. Next day they all died. They did give me store credit so i bought from them again. They same thing happened with the second order. The other day my shipment came in and there was a DOA. They say if you report it within 5 hours of receiving they will issue your money back for that fish. The fish i ordered was 28.00 they only refunded me 19.00. I think they poison the fish so you have to keep buying from them. I'm cutting my losses and never using this site ever again.

Thumbnail of user andreao496
1 review
0 helpful votes
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December 4th, 2023

We ordered 2 fish from this company nearly 2 years ago. Everything was healthy until we decided that 2 weeks ago we would place another order. The fish were fine until the 8th day. Fish started dying because i didn't take a picture of each fish on a paper towell with my name on it and date they refuse to send us our money back. They also said they were going to refund 1 fish the henochicus butterfly but changed their minds and are only refunding 44$ for shipping charges. Do not order from this company unless you want to lose all of your fish and good luck getting your money back.

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Thumbnail of user waynej133
1 review
4 helpful votes
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January 2nd, 2021

Ordered 4 fish, 2 came in very skinny turned out to be ich. I have a beautiful purple tang about 6" about 10 years old which now has ich, in fact all fun fish are now sick. I have alot of rock which makes it difficult to catch the fish. This company sends out sick fish with no warrenty. All the fish i purchased are now dead and I expect all my old fish will also dye soon. Stay away from this place. I would rate -5 but i can only give them 1 star.

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Thumbnail of user griffins38
1 review
2 helpful votes
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February 10th, 2023
Verified purchase

We placed an order after hearing great things about the service. The fish arrived all dead with almost no water in them. The invertebrates were all dead, none moving even after we put them in our tank. It is amazing that a service like this couldn't provide water for their fish. I reached out to them and was told to take pictures and file an RMA.
We sent in a few pictures, and rather then work with us to resolve or give us credit, said sorry no refund because we didn't take photos according to their specifications. They never mentioned this when i reached out originally. How am i supposed to dig dead fish 3 days later out of the trash to take pictures according to their parameters; just not realistic.
Avoid this service like the plague, they have no care for the creatures they send and even less for the customers!

Tip for consumers:
AVOID

Products used:
Fish but they were all dead

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Thumbnail of user mariov35
1 review
2 helpful votes
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May 30th, 2019

I had same experience fellow reviewers have had. DOA livestock ( understandable seeing they use fed ex) and given store credit that you have to pay $40 shipping to use. What's the point of a guarantee if you have to spend 5 times the money to be made whole. They won't waive shipping to replace your losses. They want you to spend $100 to redeem a $14 credit. Policy is a joke. I refuse to do business with companies that have no honor. Do the same. Shop elsewhere. These guys are full of Shiite.

Thumbnail of user frankb1283
1 review
0 helpful votes
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April 6th, 2022

After a few years, I ordered again. Why did I do thay? Leakage with water inside box...
Wow, what ridiculous livestock: 2 doa, 1 dead next morning, 60% casualty rate (!), firefish listed online at 2.5" arrived at 1.5". Back to Live Aquaria (honest & reliable)

Thumbnail of user bradleyw25
1 review
6 helpful votes
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September 5th, 2016

I submitted photos of my dead fish I got from them, they refused refund and are a terrible company to do business with. Go elsewhere. They dont handle livestock appropriately nor do they handle customers appropriately.

Thumbnail of user chrisr115
4 reviews
6 helpful votes
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August 21st, 2015

Worst company I have ever done business with. Set up an aquarium for a nonprofit of
Organization (boys and girls club) to teach conservation, protection, and ecosystem on the oceans reef. Saltwaterfish.com sent animals that fedex left over night and didn't get sent. Well saltwaterfish.com decided that acclimating them and sending them the following day was ok. This is NOT ok and risks the animals life. When I called, complained, asked to not send the fish overnight, and compensation for a delay, they canceled the order, never gave a refund, and banded the organization. We had to report the issue to the bank and of course was favors in behalf on the boys and girls club.

Thumbnail of user jordans161
1 review
6 helpful votes
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March 18th, 2019

Placed an order with free shipping, they forgot to include a heating packet, received frozen dead anenome. Rather than replace it they wanted to charge me an extra $40 (shipping + packaging) to replace it. Will never shop from them again and will be sharing my experience as a warning to others.

Thumbnail of user kassw
1 review
5 helpful votes
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June 2nd, 2018

This site is an absolute scam. They ship dead fish and then claim to have a guarantee. When asked to simply ship the fish that were ordered we were told thats not how it works. By the time you apply the credit it doesnt even cover shipping on the next order. Then they again ship dead fish and wont credit you again because its against their policy. They have no problem shipping dead merchandise several times but only credit you once. Im out close to $100 from this site. DO NOT BUY, total ripoff

Thumbnail of user garrettc14
1 review
3 helpful votes
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April 29th, 2016

I needed a reef light. I saw on a promotional where they were giving $100 in livestock for 99 cents contingent on purchasing $139. Perfect I thought! I can get a light and a ton of fish at the same time! So I ordered. I got a notification saying my fish (singular) shipped. Hm, ok. I got really excited an watched as the shipment got closer and closer, until 7:33 in the morning. It stopped in ATL and i live about 30 minutes away. So I waited, and waited and still no delivery. 4:00 rolls around and I finally get my fish. Dead. UGH! I file a report and they quickly got my money back (the only redeeming quality). I called them about the light, and they put it through. You should have done that earlier, but whatever. They also tell me the order should have included "marine life" and that the $140 light I bought doesnt count towards that because it wasn't livestock. This was my first time buying saltwater fish online and I will not be returning.

Thumbnail of user michaeli95
1 review
2 helpful votes
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May 23rd, 2019

I have made 2 large orders, and both times HALF of the livestock died. I have a 2 year established 300gal reef tank, so it is most definitely not my tank/water/etc, but rather, the poor quality of the items being shipped. Based on the items dying, I have accumulated a bunch of store credit. The issue here is, I cannot use said credit, because in order to do so, and avoid the packaging and shipping "charges" of ~$40, you have to place a minimum order of 100+, to even use the credit, so there is no discount anywhere. This place is an online ripoff and I hope nobody else faces the issues I have. I even confronted "Mary" on the phone about this and asked her to waive the system error, to which she replied, "no" - a clear indication that they prefer new $$ coming in, because the items they sell are so cheap, in the long run, they will come out ahead.

Thumbnail of user dereks504
1 review
0 helpful votes
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June 2nd, 2022

I wrote this review because I was surprised to see the low rating on this site. They have been my supplier for now 15 years and I have found there service and superior to anyone in the industry.
I assume the only ones th atuse this site are looking for someone where to $#*!. But they have 5,000 good review on TrustPilot.com.

Here are my recent product recieved

Tip for consumers:
They have phone customer service call them if you have problem

Products used:
I have purchased from them for 15 years so it is not just one product but the invoice sent was for Poweder Blue Tang

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Thumbnail of user carls246
1 review
3 helpful votes
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April 10th, 2019

2 issues within 2 days of dealing with this company. First they didnt want to honor the freebie I chose and had me choose a different one even though said freebie was still advertised. Second I had 1 shrimp doa a $6 shrimp and they didnt want to honor the replacement. Its live aquaria for me from now on. Also they have been reporting reviews to raise their ratings on other sites.

Thumbnail of user stephenv13
1 review
5 helpful votes
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June 30th, 2017

I ordered a tank raised pinnatus batfish. I received it late in the afternoon and it didn't look well. I figured it might come around after I started slow acclimation. The fish died fours hour later. I contacted them to ask for either a credit or a replacement fish, but they refused. They told me I could get a courtesy $15 credit if I sent them a picture of my tank. A very expensive lesson to learn.

Thumbnail of user fredr373
1 review
0 helpful votes
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August 25th, 2022

Any fish that you receive from this company is sick and not fit to be added to your tank with your other marine life. I've tried several times with them, and every time they come in with ick or other diseases! Avoid, avoid, avoid them. My tank was properly tested, And the fish was acclimated properly. But I had to quarantine everyone I got because they had ick so bad!

Thumbnail of user matth757
1 review
0 helpful votes
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June 2nd, 2022

I've used Saltwaterfish.com for years and they consistently have the best selection of fish and corals and inverts and have always worked with me if there are any issues with my order. The customer service team is great. I've had no issues and wouldn't think of going elsewhere!

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Thumbnail of user ac800
1 review
3 helpful votes
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March 12th, 2020

Do not buy from Saltwaterfish.com. They only credit back to your credit card if a specimen dies within 5hours of arrival. Otherwise you get a store credit so you will be stuck with that. Will never buy from them again!

Thumbnail of user joes2955
1 review
0 helpful votes
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July 14th, 2023

I bought the Bluetooth Current USA loop system for my reef tank. Two IC Pro light Strips with bracket holders and 4 Epumps. I have replaced the 1050 gph Epumps so many times I've lost count. You're lucky if you get a full year out of one. When my Bluetooth stopped working on the system I was referred to saltwater aquariums for technical support. After trying to contact Brian several times, I was told to email him. I got a single email telling me how to re-connect my Bluetooth again, which did not work. After several more attempts my emails went unanswered. The bells and whistles aren't worth the expense of buying any current USA product or dealing with saltwater aquariums!

Service
Thumbnail of user andyl333
1 review
6 helpful votes
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January 30th, 2020

Made my biggest order ever online, I never received the package and they said they would refund to my bank. A week later they said they could only give me store credit. I do not want to make another order I just wanted my money back. FRAUD SCAMMERS

Thumbnail of user jonathanb262
1 review
5 helpful votes
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December 8th, 2018

I bought 3 items water was at 68 degrees one fish made it alive and was not the item I ordered called and left messages sent pics and emails as they want for refunds no refunds or response I will never buy from again horrible experience Live Aquaria is most definitely way way better can't believe the way they treat their customers

Thumbnail of user tylerk31
1 review
4 helpful votes
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May 10th, 2017

I placed in order a week ago, was sent an email saying that the fish i ordered (an orbic and tiera batfish) didn't pass inspection to be shipped so I asked for a refund of my money. It's been 4 days and I'm still fighting to get my money recredited to my card. I would just cut my losses and say screw the site but it was a 115 dollar order so I'm going to keep fighting.

Thumbnail of user rachels887
1 review
1 helpful vote
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June 18th, 2021

Bought 4 aquarium supply items. Received box with 3 of 4 items, no indication in box or through email of a 2nd shipment. Packing slip in box only listed 2 of the 4 items ordered and in the box? Called right away to report missing item. Tristan took my call and claimed management would have to handle my problem. I should receive a call Monday. Never received a call or email. Called back Monday, talked to Tristain again, was told management sent a message to the shipping department to find out what happened with my missing item. Tristan was very nice and apologized for the lack of a return call... but by the end of the week I still have not received a call or email from this company. I paid for an item I never received and they can't even have the courtesy to return my call! I feel ripped off and will never do business with then again.

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Thumbnail of user alans375
2 reviews
3 helpful votes
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September 13th, 2019

I know when Fed Ex sent me a delay notice there would be dead fish! Why dont they put a big floresent orange sticker on the package saying LIVE FISH, so Fed Ex knows. Received a dead fish and they refund the price of the fish, insted of sending a replacement! Now its going to cost me another $40 on top of the price of the fish! Spend days trying to get someone on the phone, piss poor customer service!

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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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