Shipping Policy

The fast and secure transit of our living jewels is our absolute highest priority. Due to the delicate nature of Japanese Rice Fish (Medaka), our shipping protocols are stringent and uncompromising. Let this document serve as your guide to exactly how we ensure safe passage.

Live Arrival Guarantee (LAG)

Spicy Specimens extends a 100% Live Arrival Guarantee on all overnight shipments, provided the following conditions are met:

• The package is delivered on the first delivery attempt.
• Someone is present immediately upon delivery to bring the package indoors. Specimens left in mail-boxes or exposed porches void the LAG.
• Clear, unfiltered photographs of dead-on-arrival (DOA) specimens in the unopened shipping bag are sent to the curator within 2 hours of the delivery timestamp.

Shipping Methods & Schedule

We currently utilize FedEx Priority Overnight for all live specimen shipments. We ship exclusively on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. We do not ship on Thursday or Friday to avoid weekend delays.

Orders placed Thursday through Monday will be processed for the upcoming Tuesday/Wednesday dispatch window.

Weather Holds

We reserve the right to delay shipments if temperatures in either the origin (Los Angeles, CA) or the destination routing hubs fall below 40°F or rise above 95°F. Your specimen’s health is worth the wait. In the event of a weather hold, the Curator will notify you directly via email.

Last updated: October 2024