Fish Care & Live Animal Policy
Draft for review. This page is a working draft written for MAJC Fish World and is pending review by a licensed attorney. Items marked like this still need to be confirmed.
Before your fish arrive
- Make sure your pond or tank is set up, filtered and cycled.
- Koi need a pond, ideally 1,000 gallons or more and at least 3 feet deep. Fancy goldfish do well in an aquarium with about 20 gallons for the first fish and 10 more for each one after. Our pond and tank calculator can help.
- Plan to be home on delivery day.
On delivery day
- Bring the box inside right away, and start your unboxing video before you open it.
- Float the sealed bags for about 20 minutes so the temperatures match.
- Net the fish into your water and try not to pour in the shipping water.
- Keep lights low and skip feeding for the first day while they settle.
Mixing fish
Koi and slim pond goldfish like comets share ponds well. Fancy goldfish such as Orandas, Ranchu and Bubble Eyes are slower swimmers and do best in an aquarium or a calm pond of their own.
Protect local waters
Never release koi or goldfish into lakes, rivers, streams or storm drains. They can harm native fish and plants. If you can't keep a fish, contact a local pond club, aquarium store or us for help rehoming it. Some areas have their own rules about keeping fish, so please check yours.
This guidance is general information, not veterinary advice.