Blackwater Aquatics Reviews 283

TrustScore 4.5 out of 5

4.7

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Review summary

Created with AI, based on recent reviews

Looking at 100 reviews, reviewers overwhelmingly had a great experience with this company. Customers consistently praise the high quality of the products, particularly the fish, noting their health, vibrancy, and unique characteristics upon arrival. Many people highlight the excellent delivery service, emphasizing the secure and well-insulated packaging, which ensures the fish arrive in great condition, even with overnight shipping. The ordering process is frequently described as smooth and efficient, and the staff is commended for their helpfulness and knowledge. However, some customers were dissatisfied with shipping delays or issues with order accuracy, such as receiving incorrect fish or experiencing a lack of communication regarding shipping dates. A few other people also felt that some fish arrived in poor health, with issues like discoloration or lethargy, and in some cases, without a heat pack during winter shipments.

What people talk about most

Product

Clients share positive opinions on product quality. Many reviewers praise the health and vitality of the fish... See more

Quality

Reviewers highlight positive aspects of quality. Many customers consistently report that the fish arrive... See more

Delivery service

Customers had positive experiences with delivery service. Many reviewers praised the fast shipping, with some... See more

Order

People report positive experiences with their orders. Many consumers praise the fast shipping, careful... See more

Staff

Consumers consistently find the staff to be helpful and knowledgeable. Many reviewers praise specific staff... See more

Reviews shaping this summary

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Shipping was delayed due to cold weather but the fish arrived promptly once they were finally sent. Both fish I ordered arrived in good condition and have since colored up wonderfully. Solid experienc... See more

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I ordered a "LP" premium quality wild Betta antuta from BWAquatics and had a great experience. I chose UPS Next Day Air, and the fish arrived quickly, healthy, and very well packaged with RFID tracki... See more

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Honestly, the prices from start to finish is great. Purchasing fish online can be tricky with lots of potential for things to go wrong. Ordering process is clear, timeline was fast, shipping informati... See more

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Ordered a breeding pair of Betta antuta. They shipped out and made it to me safely overnight. The fish were immediately lively and explorative. Rich was really helpful during the shippin... See more


Company details

  1. Aquarium shop

Written by the company

We maintain and distribute rare wild type bettas and other uncommon blackwater fishes and more.


Contact info

4.7

Excellent

TrustScore 4.5 out of 5

283 reviews

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Hasn’t replied to negative reviews

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Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I started researching Bettas and found…

I started researching Bettas and found these guys. It seemed they have their knowledge down to a fine art. I buy a male copper Betta and wow. This little guy is full of energy, fantastic color and super healthy. I haven't raised blackworms yet but do have a culture of white worms in which he loves. Just have to watch how much cause he is a little porcienios. If you can splurge, I highly recommend buying from these guys. You won't be sorry.

27 March 2025
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Betta

I had purchased a male betta from them and accidentally received a female, they made sure to remedy the situation and now I have a beautiful healthy male (and female)!

24 March 2025
Rated 4 out of 5 stars

4 stars because one of the male bettas…

4 stars because one of the male bettas now has a permanent open gill cover. Most likely due to over-flaring when it arrived to me. Now, I’m not sure if that was before or during shipment. A bit disappointed. Perhaps they should’ve wrapped each individual bags with newspaper or something to prevent these fish from seeing each other.

27 February 2025
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Fish arrived dead twice in a row.

Fish arrived dead twice in a row.

11 February 2025
Blackwater Aquatics logo

Reply from Blackwater Aquatics

Hi SD, we're sorry that we weren't able to get your fish to you safely. We tried our best but the weather has been pretty bad at some of the shipping ports causing delays. We shipped the second shipment at no extra cost to you and after that came in DOA, we refunded the entire payment to you.

We really did try our best and hope the weather will be better in the future if you decide to make another purchase.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

A pair of Uberis and weather conditions

A BIG thanks to Henry and everyone else at BWA for helping me with my order and holding them for me until it was safe for them to ship. They truly care about what they do!!!! I have bought from them many times and each time I am amazed at the care they put in to getting my order safely to me. Recommend 💯!!!!!!!

5 February 2025
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

3 dead fish no refund, harassed on Facebook.

(EDIT) you were paid 2 months ago even though I paid for overnight shipping. The weather was perfectly fine when I paid you. Then you delayed shipping and chose to ship during a snowstorm. If I pay $50 for live arrival guarantee, it’s perfectly reasonable to assume I’ll get a live fish within a week or even 2 weeks. Now here we are, I don’t have any fish and you won’t issue a refund.

Never received my dwarf rainbows. 2 DOA arrivals on my betta. 3rd Betta died immediately. One of the staff chose to mention me on a public Facebook forum to roast me, even though I never mentioned them by name. Brought this to the attention of the team, never received an update or refund. I’ll be disputing it with my bank.

2 February 2025
Blackwater Aquatics logo

Reply from Blackwater Aquatics

We understand that unexpected circumstances can be frustrating. Unfortunately, we can’t control the weather, and a major southeast storm occurred causing UPS delays, leading to the first DOA. Per our guarantee, we then sent you a replacement at no extra cost via Next Day Air. Unfortunately, UPS delays affected that shipment as well, resulting in the second DOA. Once we felt the weather was safe, we promptly sent a third shipment—again at no extra cost—which successfully arrived in good condition. One day later, you informed us that it died in your tank. We had requested your water parameters and photos of the fish to better understand the situation, but we have yet to receive them. Please note that proper acclimation is crucial to their survival.

Regarding the rainbows, they were included in the first shipment that was DOA. We informed you that we didn’t have any more in stock and offered you the choice of waiting for our next import or receiving a refund. You opted for the refund, which we processed immediately before sending the second shipment.

Our Live Arrival Guarantee is in place to protect our customers in cases like these, and we honored it throughout the process. Our staff never intended to upset you but rather to explain why the DOAs occurred. When you expressed concern about a particular comment, I immediately asked the moderators to remove it, which they did.

We know this wasn’t an ideal experience, and honestly, we took a pretty big loss on the order between the multiple shipments and refund. But our main goal has always been to take care of our customers, and we did everything we could to make things right for you.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Great experience for picking up a betta mahachaiensis

I went for local pick up. Anh was super friendly and showed me around his fish room. He gave me lots of information, answered any questions I had and even let me pick a fish (that was different from what I ordered, I only had to pay the difference in price). I got a betta mahachaiensis, it's been 2 weeks and the betta has been healthy. Would recommend for anyone interested in wild bettas!

20 January 2025
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Healthy rare bettas

Anh was very knowledgeable about the bettas and answered all my questions. I also had the opportunity to select the fish I wanted. Great place to buy rare and high quality bettas.

24 January 2025
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Betta Stiktos Review

the fish came well packed and both seemed to be doing well and were active (they were stressed but this is to be expected and not the fault of BWaquatics). It's been about a week and both fish are doing great. The female is active and actively exploring her new tank, while the male is still unsure (his personality seems a bit shy). I would definitely buy bettas again from them.

23 January 2025
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Great customer service as well amazing, well taken care livestock.

Great customer service, knowledgeable as well amazing, well taken care blackwater specific livestock. They helped me to find hard to find licorice gouramis (Parosphromenus sp fawan) and phoenix rasboras (Boraras Merah) for my Kalimantan region peat swamp tank. Will definitely buy again from BWaquatics in the spring as I set my Amazon Region blackwater Rio Araguaia blackwater tank. As well maybe a pair of wild Betta Persephone or api api for my refugium along wild type tiger shrimp.

22 January 2025
Rated 4 out of 5 stars

Good transaction

Responsive to inquiry. Got my fish alive as planned. A little disappointed I did not get notified when shipment may occur until I contacted them. Understandable though as I am sure they are busy.

15 January 2025

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