Frequently Asked Questions

How can I order?

Orders can be placed using the following methods:
• Online - Add your items to the cart and proceed to checkout.
• Phone - Call for us to place the order for you.

Do you deliver to other Emirates?

We deliver live fish, live plants, and dry goods to all main cities in the UAE (Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaima, Umm Al Qaiwain, Al Ain). Scroll below to learn more about our Delivery Schedule.

Can I pickup my order from your location?

Yes, you can certainly call us in advance to prepare the order and visit to collect your package - use the Contact page to reach us or choose the "Pick Up" option during checkout.

Where is your main shop located?

A small Pick-Up branch is currently available in Abu Dhabi and our main showroom is re-opening soon. Visit our Contact page for the location map and store timings.

When will I receive my order?

It takes between 1 to 5 working days for an order that does not contain live stock depending on location, we always strive to make sure an order is received within 48 hours however availability and other factors can force us to wait an additional day or two. Scroll below to learn more about our Delivery Schedule. If you have any specific questions about your order, please contact us.

Which payment options are available?

We accept cash on delivery, card on delivery, and credit card payments online.

Is it safe to use my credit card online?

Yes, all credit card details are processed securely using SSL certificates, customers are rest assured that their private information will not be mishandled.

Which credit cards are accepted?

We accept VISA, Mastercard, American Express, PayPal, KNET, Benefit, Mada, and Sadad cards. Only new 3D Secure credit and debit cards can be processed. If you experience rejection with older cards, you can pay on delivery using our card machine.

How does Cash on Delivery works?

Cash on Delivery (CoD) allows you to pay cash for your order at the time of delivery. Card on Delivery is also available upon request.

Will I receive a call before the delivery?

Yes, the phone number added on file will be contacted to confirm the address and time before delivery. An email is also sent prior to notify.

What if I'm not available at the time of delivery?

We will be notified and a second attempt can be made the next delivery schedule.

Do you offer International Shipping?

Our smaller dry goods are available for International shipments however we must be contacted prior to placing an order to calculate the shipping costs. Our fish and live plants cannot be sent outside of the regions we cover.

What if I receive a damaged product?

In case an item was defected upon delivery, please call and notify us immediately with clear pictures within 12 hours - your item will be collected and returned for a replacement as soon as possible. Please make sure you keep your invoice and original box.

Please note if a product was broken after use due to the customer's mishandling, under no circumstances it can be returned or replaced unless warranty is applicable and clearely stated on the product's page.

Do you offer Free Delivery?

Free delivery is available for orders with value over 100 AED (exc. vat) to Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah. Also available for orders that include our Stendker Discus fish and for our Maintenance clients. A delivery fee is charged for all other orders.

How do you pack live plants?

All plants are safely handled and personally delivered by our team. If a courier service is requested for specific reasons, our 1-2-Grow tissue culture cups and potted plants are sent in a small box for added protection with potted plants packed inside sealed bags to retain moisture. 

How do you deliver live fish?

Our live fish deliveries are handled by our own team and cannot be sent using a courier service, after placing an order we can be contacted to schedule a pick-up visit or we can arrange a special delivery arranged which can take several days. Please check our delivery schedule for more details by scrolling below.

Do you sell fish species other than Discus?

Beside our Stendker Discus we carry other compatible species which are suitable and safely tested for either Discus or planted setups. This includes companion fish such as schooling tetras and cleaning crew such as algae eaters.

Can I use drinking water for my new fish or shrimps?

We do not recommend drinking mineral water for our live stocks. Each species has its water parameter requirements mentioned in the description to help guide new buyers. Our Discus.ae holding facility uses dechlorinated and mature tap water set at neutral conditions (pH 7.0-7.2) to help our fish acclimate easier into slightly softer or slightly harder customer aquariums. Sensitive shrimps are kept in colder RO water (Reverse Osmosis) with added minerals and conditioners. It is important to dechlorinate tap water before use and cycle an aquarium before introduction of our animals, proper acclimation is also required. Existing Ammonia / Nitrite (NH₃ / NO₂) and any shock from incorrectly prepared water can lead our sensitive species to not survive.

What other services do you provide?

Our company includes the following services for aquariums, terrariums, and ponds: 

• Maintenance
• Installation
• Cleaning
• Transportation
• Aquascaping
• Aquarium Build & Design

How can I book for an appointment?

Call us through our Contact page to request an appointment or consultation visit.

Do you develop large-scale aquarium projects?

We design and execute our projects with an International team of professional builders lead by a British specialist with the ability to complete all aquarium works in any scale required.

Do you have Aquascaping services?

Our team includes a professional aquascaper and can design planted aquascapes, hardscapes, terrariums, and paludariums. Our scaping services are available for aquariums of all sizes starting from small Nano aquariums up to any size available using our fresh Tropica plants and the desired plant care products.

Can you provide maintenance contracts?

Yes, our company caters to each individual case independently with the ability to prepare long-term and short-term contracts fitting the requirements specified by our clients.

What is Stendker Discus?

Diskuszucht Stendker is a top breeding hatchery in Germany and the largest of its kind in Europe. The Stendker family have been breeding Discus since 1965 and through selective breeding have established a strong and robust domestic Discus line that is accustomed to tap water and a home aquarium setup.

How many Stendker Discus can I keep?

Based on Stendker's recommendations and our own experience, we recommend either a pair of medium/large fish or a group of 10 small fish to avoid territorial and aggressive behaviours.

What is the best aquarium size for a beginner?

A very easy and straightforward method of keeping discus fish is to keep a group of 10 or more small (6.5 to 10 cm) discus fish in a standard 1 meter aquarium (ex: 100 x 50 x 50 cm). This aquarium size is ideal for rearing juvenile fish and they can be moved to a larger tank as they grow.

Alternatively a pair of adults can be comfortably kept in 150 litre tank (ex: 60 x 50 x 50 cm). For a group of adults, it is best to use at least a 300 liter tank (ex: 120 x 50 x 50 cm).

How to avoid diseases?

The simplest method is to refrain from keeping companion fish and live plants - our own Tropica plants are directly imported from the original nursery and never come in contact with any fish making it a safe choice for your Discus.

You must also provide a high quality diet without overfeeding and keep your aquarium clean by carrying at least one 50% water change per week..

What do I need in my aquarium?

The basic requirements to start a Discus aquarium:

• Glass tank (check the recommended sizes)
• Light
• 300w Heater
• Sufficient filter (two foam filters or a cansiter)
• Air pump for oxygen supply
• Thermometer

Can I keep discus in a rimless / open top tank?

Discus fish can jump! We recommend to keep a glass sheet on top of the tank, at least to cover the sides where they are most likely to jump from.

How to care for my Discus?

When you purchase your Discus from us you will receive a booklet featuring all the important guidelines of how to care for your fish. The official Stendker website also contains PDF files covering everything you need to look after your fish, click here to visit their page.

The Discus color or size I want is out of stock online, can I still order it?

If a Discus color strain or size that you want is currently unavailable, you can contact us to place an order which will be delivered with our next shipment. An invoice will be generated and 50% deposit to be paid to confirm the order. Please note that due to unexpected delays with processing new orders, a fixed date cannot be provided and fish may take several weeks to arrive.

Can I keep Stendker Discus with my other Discus?

Stendker discus are disease and tapeworm free, if your other fish appear healthy they may still be carriers or their immunity may still not be compatible which can cause a disease outbreak. We do not recommend mixing our fish with other Discus or tropical fish and this has to be done at the customer's own risk.

Please note that using any tools or decorations that were previously in contact with other fish can also spread disease and risk the health of your new Stendker discus. Everything has to be properly sterilized, contact us for instructions.