Frequently Asked Questions

Browse our shop, add items to your cart, and proceed to checkout. You’ll need to create an account or check out as a guest. Payment is taken in full at the time of ordering. Once your order is confirmed you’ll receive an email with your order details.

For dry goods, you may cancel before dispatch — contact us immediately at customerservice@mantarea.com or call +44 7502 221336. Once dispatched, orders cannot be cancelled.

Livestock orders cannot be cancelled once a dispatch date has been agreed and preparation has begun, due to the perishable nature of live animals.

Yes — many of our livestock listings are WYSIWYG, meaning the exact animal photographed is the one you’ll receive. These listings are clearly labelled. For non-WYSIWYG livestock, the item you receive will be representative of the species and grade listed.

We accept all major credit and debit cards, as well as PayPal and other payment methods shown at checkout. All payments are processed securely — we never store your card details.

Yes, when done properly. We use specialist livestock packaging — insulated boxes, oxygenated bags, and heat or cold packs as required — to ensure animals travel safely. All livestock is dispatched Monday to Wednesday to avoid weekend delays, and every order ships with a tracking number. Our Live Arrival Guarantee means you’re protected if anything goes wrong in transit.

Delivery typically takes 7–10 working days across all zones. We dispatch Monday to Wednesday using professional couriers (UPS, FedEx, DHL). You’ll receive a tracking number as soon as your order is dispatched.

Livestock: UK & Northern Ireland £10 · Republic of Ireland £20 · Europe £40

Dry Goods: UK & Northern Ireland £5 · Republic of Ireland £10 · Europe £20

There is no free shipping threshold — rates are flat regardless of order value. See our Shipping Info page for full details.

Yes — for livestock orders you must be present at the first delivery attempt. Live animals left unattended after delivery can deteriorate quickly. Missed or rescheduled deliveries may void your Live Arrival Guarantee. Please ensure someone is home on the scheduled delivery date.

Always accept the delivery regardless of the condition of the outer packaging. The animals inside are still alive and the specialist inner packaging is designed to protect them. Refusing a delivery will void your DOA claim. Once accepted, open the package immediately and assess the condition of the livestock.

We dispatch Monday to Wednesday specifically to avoid weekend delays. We ship from Northern Ireland and will advise you of any local weather conditions that might affect your order. In cases of extreme weather, we may delay dispatch by one dispatch window to protect the livestock. Ultimately, you are responsible for choosing a suitable shipping date when placing your order.

Currently we ship to the UK, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, and mainland Europe. We do not ship outside these zones at this time. If you’re unsure whether we ship to your country, please contact us before ordering.

All livestock is covered by our Live Arrival Guarantee. If an animal arrives deceased, we will issue a replacement or store credit of equal value, subject to our DOA procedure being followed. We do not offer cash refunds for DOA livestock. See our full DOA Policy for details.

Act immediately — you have a 60-minute window from delivery to contact us and 1 hour to submit evidence. You’ll need:

1. A continuous unboxing video showing the sealed box being opened
2. A photo of the deceased animal still in its sealed bag
3. A photo of the dead animal on the box lid with a date/timestamp
4. Contact us via phone, email, or WhatsApp immediately

Do not discard the animal or its packaging. See our DOA Policy for the full procedure.

All livestock is packed in specialist bags filled with oxygenated water. The bags are placed in insulated polyboxes with heat or cold packs as required by season and destination. Corals are affixed to plugs or racks to prevent movement during transit. The whole package is designed to keep animals safe and stable for the full journey.

Yes. We source exclusively from reputable, licensed suppliers who use non-destructive collection methods. Where possible we stock aquacultured and captive-bred specimens, which reduces pressure on wild reef populations. We do not knowingly stock species collected using cyanide or other harmful practices.

No — due to biosecurity and animal welfare requirements, livestock cannot be returned once delivered. Please research species compatibility and tank requirements carefully before ordering. Our care guides and compatibility checker are there to help.

Float the sealed bag in your sump or display tank for 15–20 minutes to equalise temperature. Then gradually add small amounts of your tank water to the bag over 30–45 minutes to acclimate the animal to your water parameters. For sensitive species, drip acclimation is recommended. Never pour the shipping water directly into your tank. Our care guides have species-specific acclimation advice.

We strongly recommend quarantining all new fish for a minimum of 4–6 weeks before introducing them to your display tank. This allows you to observe for signs of disease such as ich or velvet, and treat if necessary, without risking your established livestock. A basic quarantine tank can be as simple as a bare-bottom tank with a filter, heater, and some hiding spots.

Larger tanks are more stable and forgiving for beginners. A 200–300 litre system is a great starting point. Smaller nano reefs (under 100L) can work but require much more precise water management. The tank must be fully cycled before adding any livestock — this typically takes 4–8 weeks.

Stable parameters are critical. As a general guide:

Temperature: 24–26°C  ·  Salinity: 1.025–1.026 SG  ·  pH: 8.1–8.4
Ammonia / Nitrite: 0 ppm  ·  Nitrate: <10 ppm for reef tanks
Alkalinity: 8–10 dKH  ·  Calcium: 400–450 ppm  ·  Magnesium: 1250–1350 ppm

For SPS corals, parameters need to be even more tightly controlled. Test weekly and use RO/DI water for all top-offs and water changes.

Yes, with the right approach. We recommend starting with a fish-only system and a few hardy species like clownfish or gobies before moving on to corals. Research each species thoroughly before purchasing — our compatibility checker and care guides are a great starting point. Don’t rush stocking; adding fish slowly over several weeks gives your system time to adjust.

Soft corals (e.g. Zoanthids, Leather corals) have no hard skeleton and are generally the most beginner-friendly. They tolerate a wider range of parameters.

LPS (Large Polyp Stony) corals (e.g. Euphyllia, Hammer, Torch) have a calcium carbonate skeleton with large, fleshy polyps. Moderate care level.

SPS (Small Polyp Stony) corals (e.g. Acropora, Montipora) are the most demanding — they require very stable, high-quality water and strong lighting. Best suited to experienced reefkeepers.

No — you can check out as a guest. However, creating an account lets you track orders, view order history, and makes future checkouts faster.

Yes — under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013, you have 14 days from receipt to notify us of a return, and a further 14 days to return the goods. Items must be unused and in original packaging. Return postage is your responsibility unless the item is faulty or incorrectly supplied. Contact us at customerservice@mantarea.com to initiate a return.

Contact us within 30 days of delivery at customerservice@mantarea.com with your order number and a description or photo of the fault. We’ll arrange a replacement or full refund including return postage.

Enter your discount code in the coupon field at checkout before completing your order. Codes are case-insensitive and cannot be applied retroactively after an order has been placed. Discount codes cannot be combined with other offers unless stated.