Q: Your website says free shipping. Most websites charge a lot of money for shipping. What's the catch?
A: The only catch is that you must spend at least $40 and must have a U.S. mailing address. We want it to be easy for you to know how much your fish will cost upfront and not have extra hidden fees for shipping or packaging.
Q: I live in another State, how do I receive fish from Imperial Tropicals?
A: Once your fish order has been prepared for shipment by us, you will receive a tracking number by email. Then, you can track your fish on the web and know an estimated arrival day. We package them with pure oxygen and pack them in insulated boxes. It is best to have someone home when the fish arrives, so that your package does not sit outside your door in the hot or cold weather.
Q: Ok, so if I order today, when will you ship my fish?
A: Before shipment, we quarantine all fish for at least 24-48 hours. During this period, we closely monitor the fish to make sure they are healthy. We also do not feed them during this time in order to 'clean out' their digestive system. This lessens the chance of fish dying in transit due to poor water quality.
Once this process is completed, your fish will then be shipped out the next Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday- whichever comes first. In most cases, we do NOT ship, Friday or Saturday.
Q: What do I need to do to prepare my tank for the fish that I have ordered?
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. You can Google more info on setting up a new tank.
Q: I just received my fish and they do not look like the pictures on the website. What's up with that?
A: Most pictures are taken with 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: Some or all of my fish arrived dead- what do I do?
A: Contact us as soon as possible. Please take a picture for us showing the loss- it can just be a picture taken with your smart phone. In most cases, we will either offer to return the cost of the fish or ship you out a replacement. We work very hard to make sure that you receive your fish alive and we want your fish to have a long, happy life in your tank.
FAQ
Q: I own a fish store. Can I purchase wholesale from you?
A: Yes! Reach out to us via the "Contact Us" page for more information on receiving our wholesale price list. Purchasing wholesale from us will greatly benefit resellers as these rates are considerably lower than if purchasing retail.
Q: Where do the fish from Imperial Tropicals come from?
A: That is a good question! We are proud to say, "Direct from the breeders". Our family has been breeding and selling aquarium fish since 1970. We are always looking for new and best strains of fish to breed. We also have friends and family that breed cool fish which we also carry on our website. You can know that when you receive a fish from us that it has been kept in the best conditions before it was sold. We also sell fish from the wild which we have imported for breeding projects. They will be labeled with the country and region they are from.
Q: How do I find out more information about the fish that I want to buy from you?
A: Before buying fish from us, we recommend that you research as much information as possible about the fish that you want to buy. You can use the Google search engine and find just about anything you would like to know about our fish. There are also numerous online fish forums, Facebook groups and blogs where knowledgeable fish keepers share a wealth of information! Lastly, if you're lucky enough to find one close by, you can join a local fish keeping club and surround yourself with other passionate hobbyists.
Q: I am interested in your fish but I cannot find the information that I need?
A: If you cannot find the answers you need on our website or the internet, you can email us at mikedrawdy@gmail.com and we will do our best to answer all of your questions. If possible, please use the above mentioned resources before emailing us. Our business is breeding and selling and it is most beneficial to all parties involved when we can focus our time on our fish.
Q: What kind of water are your fish raised in?
A: Most of our water is on the hard side and has a pH of around 8. We use soft water only for breeding the fish, but they are all raised in hard water.
Q: I have soft water with a low pH, will the fish be okay?
A: When you are fortunate enough to have soft water with a low pH, you should keep fish that like those conditions. Most fish from the Amazon and other parts of South America come from soft water conditions and will thrive in your soft water. On the opposite spectrum, most African cichlids prefer hard water with a high pH. However, if you don't have the ideal conditions for the fish you want, keep in mind that a stable pH, high or low, will be fine in most situations. If your water parameters are drastically different than ours, we recommend a slow acclimation period. If you are unfamiliar with the acclimation process, search Google, there are a few different ways to acclimate. Most domesticated fish will do good in hard or soft water when acclimated properly.
Q: I'm looking for a certain fish, but don't see it on your website. Can you get it for me?
A: Most likely! If we can get our hands on it for you, we will. You can email us at mikedrawdy@gmail.com.
Q: I live near your farm. Can I pick up my fish?
A: We do allow local pickup by appointment only.