Please read carefully

Disclaimer & Liability Notice

1. We are a venue, not a party to your transaction

All transactions on LocalFishTank happen directly and in person between a buyer and a seller. We do not take possession of any livestock, equipment, or money. We do not pre-screen listings, verify species identification, confirm health status, or authenticate any user's claims. You deal with other users at your sole risk.

2. No warranty on livestock, plants, or equipment

Aquatic animals are living organisms. Their health, survival, lifespan, behavior, breeding outcomes, and compatibility with your system depend on many factors outside the seller's and the platform's control — including transportation, acclimation, water chemistry, tankmates, disease, stress, and luck.

LocalFishTank makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, that any animal, plant, or piece of equipment listed on the platform is healthy, disease-free, accurately identified, legally obtained, fit for any particular use, or as described by the seller.

3. Your responsibility — buyers

• Inspect livestock in person, before payment. Refuse anything that looks sick, stressed, or mis-identified.
• Ask the seller about source (captive-bred vs. wild), age, feeding, and any treatments.
• Quarantine new arrivals — never add a new animal directly to a display tank.
• Confirm the species is legal to possess in your state and that you have any required permits.
• Meet in a safe, public location during daylight hours. Bring a friend.

4. Your responsibility — sellers

• Only list animals you lawfully own and that are legal to sell and transfer in your state.
• Describe livestock accurately, including species, size, sex (if known), origin, and any health concerns.
• Hold any state-required aquaculture, dealer, or wildlife permits.
• Provide safe bagging and oxygenation for the buyer's trip home.
• Report and pay all applicable taxes on your sales.

5. Regulatory compliance is on you

Aquatic species are regulated by a patchwork of federal, state, and local laws — including the federal Lacey Act, the Endangered Species Act, CITES, and individual state wildlife codes. Some species that are legal in one state are felonies in the next. LocalFishTank does not provide legal advice. Always check with your state wildlife agency before listing or buying a species you are unsure about.

6. No liability for harm, loss, or animal death

To the fullest extent permitted by law, LocalFishTank, its owners, employees, and contractors are not liable for:

• Death, illness, or injury of any animal purchased, sold, or transported through introductions made on the platform;
• Damage to your tank, equipment, home, or other animals (including from disease, parasites, or chemical contamination);
• Personal injury, theft, harassment, or any harm arising from a meetup or interaction with another user;
• Misrepresentation, fraud, or non-performance by another user;
• Civil or criminal penalties resulting from your possession, sale, or transport of any species in violation of law;
• Disputes between buyer and seller, including refund disagreements.

Resolving any dispute, demand, or legal action arising from your use of the Service or your dealings with another user is solely your responsibility.

7. Reporting unsafe or illegal listings

If you see a listing that violates the law or our Terms — for example, an injurious species, a wild-caught protected animal, or a user requesting shipping — please use the report function on the listing or contact us via the Contact page. We investigate reports and remove listings that violate our policies.

8. Not professional advice

Content on LocalFishTank, including care guides, water-parameter logs, and user posts, is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional veterinary, legal, or regulatory advice. Consult a qualified expert for advice specific to your situation.

9. Acknowledgement

By using the Service, you acknowledge that you have read this Disclaimer, understand it, and agree that your participation in any transaction arranged through LocalFishTank is undertaken entirely at your own risk.