Cycle before you stock
Let beneficial bacteria establish for 3–6 weeks so ammonia and nitrite read zero before fish go in.
Everything Your Aquarium Needs
Pick a family and build the underwater world you’ve always wanted.
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Ask Finn anything ✨
Finn reads our live stock and delivery settings — ask about delivery to your area, the biggest or smallest fish, colours, prices and more.
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Hi! I’m Finn 🐠 Tap a question on the left or type your own — I’ll check our tanks and delivery zones for you.
Our story
We don’t just sell fish — we live the hobby.
Every fish, plant and product is chosen with the same care we’d use in our own aquariums. Whether you’re setting up your very first tank or building your dream aquascape, Aqua Express is here to help every step of the journey.
- Healthy livestockCarefully selected & quarantined before shipping
- Real adviceFrom real aquarists, not a call centre
- Fresh weekly arrivalsNew species added regularly
9provinces we deliver to
From our tanks to yours
Order online
Choose your fish, plants and supplies and check out securely.
Packed with oxygen
Oxygenated livestock bags in insulated boxes keep fish calm and warm.
Fast courier
Shipped nationwide to your door — city or town.
Acclimate & enjoy
Float, drip-acclimate and watch your tank come alive.
Popular right now
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Sold out
-15%
Boesemani Rainbowfish
Original price was: R65,00.R55,00Current price is: R55,00. Read more -
Rope Fish
R120,00 -
Kuhli Loach
R35,00 -
Sold out
Bala Shark
R75,00 Read more -
Rainbow Shark
R55,00 -
-33%
White Cloud Mountain Minnow
Original price was: R15,00.R10,00Current price is: R10,00. -
Zebra Danio
R15,00 -
Sold out
Betta Fish (Male)
R60,00 Read more
Happy fish, healthy tank
Four habits every successful South African aquarist swears by.
Acclimate slowly
Float the bag 15–20 minutes, then add tank water gradually to match temperature and pH.
Don’t overstock
Research adult sizes and temperaments. Add a few fish at a time and let the filter catch up.
Weekly water changes
Change 20–30% weekly with dechlorinated water — especially important with SA municipal water.
Follow the shoal
New arrivals, tank tours and aquascaping tips — straight from our Facebook and YouTube.
Frequently asked questions
Can’t find your answer? Ask Finn in the chat or send us a message.
Do you deliver live fish nationwide?
Yes. Aqua Express delivers live tropical fish, plants and aquarium supplies to all nine provinces of South Africa — including Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban, Gqeberha and Bloemfontein. Delivery fees are calculated at checkout.
How are live fish packed for delivery?
Every fish travels in oxygenated livestock bags inside insulated boxes to keep temperature stable and stress low, so your fish arrive healthy and ready to acclimate.
What if a fish arrives dead (DOA)?
Contact us on the day of delivery with a clear photo of the unopened bag and we will sort it out according to our DOA policy. Our team checks and quarantines stock before it ships.
Which fish are best for beginners?
Livebearers like guppies and platies, hardy tetras, corydoras catfish and many barbs are great starter fish. Ask Finn, our chat assistant, or message us for compatibility advice.
How do I pay?
Checkout is secured with SSL and trusted South African payment providers. Available payment options are shown at checkout.
Buy live aquarium fish online in South Africa
Aqua Express is an online aquarium shop run by hobbyists for hobbyists. We stock healthy live tropical fish — including cichlids, tetras, barbs, livebearers such as guppies and platies, corydoras and plecos — plus live aquarium plants, fish food, filters, heaters and premium aquarium supplies.
We deliver live fish nationwide, safely packed in oxygenated bags and insulated boxes. Order online for delivery to:
- Johannesburg
- Pretoria
- Cape Town
- Durban
- Gqeberha
- Bloemfontein
- East London
- Polokwane
- Mbombela
- Kimberley
- Rustenburg
- Pietermaritzburg
- George
- Midrand
- Centurion
- Soweto
Talk to an aquarist
Planning a tank? Let’s chat.
Tell us your tank size and the look you’re after — we’ll help you pick compatible fish, plants and gear.