Coral, Fish & Invertebrate Care
What should I do first when a livestock shipment arrives?
Open the box promptly, inspect every animal, and keep conditions stable during acclimation.
How should I acclimate a new coral after shipping?
Match temperature, inspect the coral, and introduce it under reduced light and appropriate flow.
Should I dip or quarantine a new coral?
Inspection, a properly labeled coral dip, and quarantine can reduce pest risk.
How should I acclimate a shipped saltwater fish?
Use a calm process based on temperature and the salinity difference between shipping water and the aquarium.
Are Top Shelf Aquatics fish fully quarantined?
Fish receive medicated dips and are held in copper, but they do not complete a formal quarantine protocol.
Are Top Shelf Aquatics invertebrates quarantined?
Invertebrates do not go through a formal quarantine protocol.
What do WYSIWYG and cut-to-order mean for corals?
WYSIWYG is the exact photographed coral; cut-to-order listings show the mother colony or a representative example.
Why was livestock removed from or refunded on my order?
A livestock item may be withheld when it is not healthy enough to ship safely.
Does Top Shelf Aquatics sell freshwater livestock?
Top Shelf Aquatics specializes in saltwater fish, corals, and marine invertebrates.