TADPOLES, TRAPDOOR POND SNAILS, & POND FISH

Your Order Email & Packing Slip (What to Expect)

When you ship live pond animals, you’ll get a packing slip. It’s helpful and straightforward:

Order summary: every animal on your order (goldfish, koi, tadpoles, trapdoor snails) and the quantity of bags.
Packer’s initials: the team member who prepared your order signs with their initials so we can track quality.
Photo reminders: the email explains how to take clear “open-bag” photos if anything looks less than great on arrival.
Guarantee info: if there’s a concern, send photos within 24 hours to pondquestions@gmail.com.

Light sarcasm break: we love our packers, but we love their initials even more—because initials help us fix things fast. 😉

Live Arrival Guarantee (Easy)

If any animal arrives in less than good condition, email photos within 24 hours to pondquestions@gmail.com and we’ll make it right.
Please include:

Open-bag photos of each item (top-down and side view).
Any other helpful photos, including a quick note: order number + packers initials if from the nursery on the packing slip or corner of outside of the box + what you’re seeing.

How to Photograph “Open-Bag” Proof of attention on delivery (Step-by-Step)

Set the bag on a table or shade outside, indirect light (not in hot sun).
Open the bag and gently spread the top so you can see inside.
Take two photos per bag:
- Top-down: shows the animals clearly at the surface.
- Side angle: shows body/fin detail and water clarity.
If you have multiple bags, label them in your email (“Bag 1 koi,” “Bag 2 tadpoles,” etc.).
Email all photos to pondquestions@gmail.com within 24 hours of delivery.

IMPORTANT: How to Add Fish & Tadpoles (Do This — Not That)

Do This (Safe & Simple):

Prepare your pond first: Pond should be many weeks old with the following to prepare for fish or tadpoles
- a running pump (good circulation/oxygen),
- beneficial bacteria established,
- and healthy pond plants in place and actively growing.
Get a large bucket/tote + a fish net. Place the net over the empty bucket.
Open the shipping bag (do NOT float it in the pond).
Pour the bag’s water and animals through the net (over the bucket/tote), so the animals are caught in the net—not the bucket.
Carry only the animals (in the net) to your pond and lower the net into pond water to release them gently.
Discard the bag water into your lawn or garden—never into the pond.

Do NOT:

❌ Do not pour bag water into the pond.
❌ Do not float bags in the pond to “normalize” temperature. This can create a greenhouse effect that overheats the bag and reduces oxygen.
❌ Do not use holding tanks or aquariums. These are pond animals; add them to the pond only.

Why We Skip the “Float the Bag” Method

Floating bags often overheats the water and uses up oxygen quickly—especially in sun. Opening the bag and net-pouring away from the pond, then releasing animals directly into pond water, is safer and faster for cold-blooded pond species.

Timing & Seasons

All pond fish, tadpoles, and snails we ship are cold-blooded and can be added to outdoor ponds from spring through fall. Just be sure your pond is established with pond plants, moving, and planted before introducing animals.

Snail & Fish Shipping Notes (Quick Reference)

Trapdoor Snails (small quantities): ship with pond plant orders in spring/summer.
Trapdoor Snails (large/bulk): ship separately, usually overnight, from the fishery.
Goldfish & Koi (any amount): ship separately, usually overnight, from the fishery for best health.