Does Amazon Sell Pets In 2023? The Short Answer is Only Some Types of Fish

I get asked this question a lot as an experienced ecommerce seller – does the world‘s largest online retailer actually sell live animals? Well, the short answer is no, Amazon does not sell dogs, cats, birds, reptiles or any traditional household pets. However, they do allow the sale of certain live fish and aquatic invertebrates for home aquariums.

Let me explain Amazon‘s specific pet policies and what you can (and can‘t) buy on their marketplace as of 2023. I‘ll also share some tips from my experience safely ordering fish online.

Overview of Pets Prohibited on Amazon

Amazon has strict policies about which types of animals can be sold on their platform. Here are some key restrictions:

• No live mammals – so no dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets, etc. This is likely due to the challenges of regulating these sales.

• No reptiles or amphibians (except some aquatic species used in fish tanks).

• No birds.

• No endangered species or wildlife prohibited by the Endangered Species Act or Lacey Act.

So if you search for "pets" on Amazon, you won‘t find listings for adopting a dog or purchasing a kitten. Those types of animals are explicitly banned.

exceptions a Note on Exotic Animals

Just to clarify – Amazon also prohibits the sale of exotic animals like monkeys, tigers, or other wildlife. These animals require special permits and licensed sellers in most states, which is outside of Amazon‘s seller policies.

I sometimes get asked if you can buy monkeys on Amazon (nope!). But it‘s understandable why some shoppers think you might be able to purchase less common pets on a site that sells just about everything.

Live Fish and Invertebrates Sold on Amazon

Now that we‘ve covered what you can‘t buy, here are the live animals you can purchase through Amazon‘s marketplace:

Fish

Amazon allows the sale of tropical freshwater fish for home aquariums. Some popular types of fish sold include:

• Goldfish
• Guppies
• Tetras
• Mollies
• Platies
• Cichlids like Angelfish
• Koi
• Bettas
• Danios

Fish are typically sold in packs/groups of 4-6 of the same species, ranging from small juvenile fish to large 4"+ sizes.

Aquatic Invertebrates

In addition to fish, Amazon sellers can ship other aquatic creatures like:

• Snails
• Shrimp
• Crayfish
• Crabs

Live snails and shrimp are especially popular additions to freshwater tanks to help clean algae and debris.

Pricing

Pricing for fish and invertebrates can vary wildly based on species, size, quantity, and seller. Just as an example:

• Feeder goldfish – $5 for 12 small fish
• Neon tetras – $12 for 6 medium fish
• Cherry shrimp – $28 for 10
• Koi fish – $89 for 3 large 4-5" fish

So you can find very affordable options for small starter fish, or pay premium prices for large show-quality species.

Where are the Fish Sold?

Live animals are sold by independent sellers through Amazon‘s Marketplace, not directly by Amazon themselves. You can find them by searching for terms like "live fish" or the specific fish species.

Look for sellers with high reviews and ratings for the best experience. Avoid any sketchy looking sellers with no history.

How Amazon Sellers Ship Fish and Aquatic Life

One obvious question about live animals – how does Amazon ensure they arrive safely?

Fish and inverts sold through Amazon Marketplace come with special shipping requirements to give them the best chance of arriving alive. Here are some key guidelines:

Overnight Shipping

Most creatures are shipped via USPS Priority Mail Express overnight service. This provides faster transit time which is safer for the livestock.

Some more delicate species may use 2nd day FedEx delivery instead. But in general, expect overnight shipping.

Temperature Control

Insulated packaging helps maintain suitable water temperatures during transit. This is critical for tropical fish.

Gel packs or thick insulation materials are used depending on the animals.

Oxygen Exchange

Breathing bags or films allow oxygen exchange while retaining water and minimizing leaks or spills.

For crustaceans, specialty breathable packaging ensures proper oxygenation.

Customer Receipt

The animals must be delivered directly to the customer, who must be available to accept them. This prevents packages sitting unattended where they could overheat or chill.

Leave delivery instructions if you won‘t be home, so the postman knows where to leave the package.

Guarantees

Most sellers offer live arrival guarantees – if any fish or inverts die in transit, they will refund or replace them. Just save the packaging and contact the seller with photos documenting deaths.

This provides buyer protection when ordering livestock online.

Buying Fish on Amazon – Tips from an Experienced Seller

As someone who has ordered fish both for personal aquariums and for resale, here are my top tips for success:

Check Transit Times

See what day your fish are expected to arrive before placing the order. Make sure you or someone else will be available to receive them.

Weekday delivery greatly reduces risk of a weekend delay.

morning Delivery

Ask the seller if they can ship for morning delivery. This gets the fish to you faster after packing.

Open Package Immediately

Once fish arrive, open the insulation and get them into your tank as soon as possible. Rapid acclimation is vital.

Have Tank Ready

Get your aquarium fully cycled and ready before fish are delivered. Test water parameters and temperature match what fish are used to.

Nothing worse than fish arriving when your tank isn‘t prepped!

Know Your Species

Research the species you plan to order and their care requirements. Getting incompatible fish can be disastrous.

Quarantine New Arrivals

Isolate new fish in a separate tank for a few weeks before adding to an established community. Watch for signs of illness.

Read Seller Reviews

Buy from highly rated sellers with lots of reviews for the specific type of fish you want. This minimizes risk of problems.

Save Packaging

Keep all packaging in case of DOAs. Photos of dead fish in unopened bags can help secure a refund or replacement.

Have a Backup Plan

Sometimes shipments get delayed or other issues arise. Have a temporary tank ready just in case to hold new fish if needed.

Trends I‘m Seeing in Aquarium Fish Sales on Amazon

As an experienced seller, I like to stay on top of trends in the pets market.

Here are some patterns I‘ve noticed lately in regards to aquatic life bought through Amazon Marketplace:

Rise of Pico Tanks

Tiny "pico" aquariums under 5 gallons are becoming popular, especially for small desk setups. Best sellers include specialized betta, shrimp, and planted nano tanks.

Paludariums

Aquarium/vivarium combo tanks are gaining interest, with water sections plus above-water dry areas. Great for amphibious species.

Auto-Delivery Programs

Some sellers now offer subscription delivery of fish food, filtration media, or other repeat purchase supplies.

High-Grade Koi

Premium quality koi from specialized breeders are sold for $100+, targeted at koi hobbyists. These showcase the diversity of fish on Amazon.

Decline of Common Goldfish

As hobbyists become more educated, I‘m seeing decreased demand for unhealthy feeder goldfish in favor of tropical community fish.

Rise of Aquascaping

There‘s growing interest in heavily planted aquarium designs. Popular plants sold include mosses, anubias, dwarf hairgrass.

Algivores

Algae eating fish like plecos, otos, and shrimp remain best sellers. People want natural algae control.

Specialty Crabs

Interest is rising in pet crabs beyond just hermit crabs. Thai micro crabs, frog crabs, horned nerite crabs are gaining popularity.

Pet Supplies: Amazon Dominates This Market

Now onto pet gear – while Amazon limits sales of live animals, it‘s a powerhouse for pet supplies.

U.S. Pet Industry Sales Breakdown

Source: American Pet Products Association

Amazon captures a massive share of the "online retailers" category. As consumers shifted towards online shopping, Amazon was perfectly poised to take advantage.

Pet food, treats, medicine, toys, beds, and accessories – Amazon sells it all, at competitive prices with the convenience of home delivery.

For supplies that aren‘t super time sensitive, like food or beds, Amazon simply can‘t be beat for the combination of selection, price, and delivery.

Even with category leaders like Chewy capturing pet supply market share, Amazon remains dominant. Consumers value its unmatched selection running the gamut from luxury products down to budget basics.

However, I do recommend purchasing certain supplies locally:

• Medications – Get directly from your vet to ensure authenticity.

• Perishable food – For fresh, frozen, or refrigerated foods, local stores may be safer.

• Live animals – As discussed earlier in this post, source fish and inverts from specialty sellers.

Final Thoughts – The Takeaway on Pets Purchased Through Amazon

To wrap up this detailed dive into Amazon‘s live animal policies:

• Dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, and exotic mammals are prohibited. Do not expect to find these types of traditional pets for sale.

• Select aquatic life like fish and snails are permitted and shipped safely overnight. Stick to reputable sellers.

• For pet products, Amazon dominates the market. Expect great prices and selection for supplies.

• Use common sense – don‘t buy questionable live animals. Always research proper husbandry for any pets.

I hope this guide from the perspective of an experienced ecommerce seller provides useful context around what you can actually buy on Amazon when it comes to pets. Feel free to reach out with any other questions!