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Last updated: June 28, 2026

Terms of Service

Welcome to LocalFishTank ("LocalFishTank", "we", "us", or "our"). These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your access to and use of the LocalFishTank website, mobile experience, and related services (collectively, the "Service"). By creating an account or using the Service, you agree to be bound by these Terms.

1. Who we are

LocalFishTank operates an online platform that allows hobbyist aquarists to list, discover, and arrange in-person, same-state sales of aquatic livestock, plants, and related equipment ("Listings"). We are a venue only. We are not a party to any transaction between users, do not take possession of any listed items, and do not guarantee the quality, safety, legality, or accuracy of any Listing.

2. Eligibility

  • You must be at least 18 years old to use the Service.
  • You must be a resident of the United States with a verifiable in-state address.
  • You must have the legal capacity to enter into binding contracts.
  • Your account must not have been previously suspended or terminated by us.

3. The Service — what we are, and what we are not

LocalFishTank is a digital listing service. We charge a small fee to sellers for the right to post a Listing on the platform. We do not process, facilitate, escrow, insure, or take any commission on the underlying sale of livestock or equipment between users. All payments for listed items are arranged and exchanged directly between buyer and seller, in person.

4. Local-only, in-person transactions

The Service is restricted to same-state, in-person transactions. You agree that you will not use the Service to:

  • Ship, mail, or arrange any common-carrier transport of live aquatic organisms;
  • Trade with users outside of your verified state of residence;
  • Solicit or accept payment for delivery of livestock across state lines.

Cross-state movement of certain aquatic species may violate the federal Lacey Act (16 U.S.C. §§ 3371–3378) and state wildlife laws. You are solely responsible for compliance.

5. Your responsibility as a user

You are solely responsible for:

  • Confirming the species you list or purchase is legal to possess, sell, and transfer in your state;
  • Holding any applicable state-issued aquaculture, dealer, or wildlife permits;
  • The accuracy of every Listing you post, including species identification, health, and origin;
  • The condition and quality of any livestock or equipment you sell or buy;
  • Your interactions with other users, including meeting safely in a public location;
  • Reporting and paying any taxes owed on your sales.

6. Prohibited listings

You may not list, offer, or trade through the Service any:

  • Species listed as injurious under the federal Lacey Act;
  • Species prohibited or restricted in your state of residence;
  • Endangered or CITES-restricted species;
  • Wild-caught animals taken in violation of state or federal law;
  • Marine mammals, sea turtles, or any species protected under the Endangered Species Act or Marine Mammal Protection Act;
  • Animals you do not lawfully own or have authority to sell.

We maintain automated filters and a manually curated blocklist, but these tools are not a substitute for your own diligence. Listings that violate these Terms will be removed without refund and may result in account termination.

7. Listing fees and payments

  • Each Listing requires payment of a non-refundable listing fee, calculated as the greater of $1.00 USD or 2% of the total listing value (unit price × quantity).
  • Fees are processed by our third-party payment processor (Paddle). By paying a fee, you also agree to Paddle's terms.
  • Listings remain active for 30 days from publication or until all units are marked sold, whichever comes first.
  • Fees are non-refundable once a Listing is published, except as required by law or as described in our Refund Policy.

8. Content you post

You retain ownership of the photos and descriptions you upload. You grant LocalFishTank a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to host, display, reproduce, and distribute that content for the purpose of operating, promoting, and improving the Service.

You represent and warrant that all content you upload is your own, does not infringe any third party's rights, and is not deceptive or unlawful.

9. Account suspension and termination

We may suspend or terminate your account at any time, without notice and without refund, if we reasonably believe you have violated these Terms, applicable law, or have created risk for the Service or other users. You may close your account at any time from your profile settings.

10. No warranties

THE SERVICE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, NON-INFRINGEMENT, OR THAT THE SERVICE WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED OR ERROR-FREE. WE MAKE NO WARRANTY ABOUT THE EXISTENCE, QUALITY, SAFETY, LEGALITY, OR ACCURACY OF ANY LISTING OR THE CONDUCT OF ANY USER.

11. Limitation of liability

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, LOCALFISHTANK AND ITS OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AND AGENTS WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, OR FOR ANY LOSS OF PROFITS, REVENUE, DATA, ANIMALS, OR GOODWILL ARISING FROM OR RELATED TO YOUR USE OF THE SERVICE OR ANY INTERACTION WITH ANOTHER USER. OUR TOTAL AGGREGATE LIABILITY TO YOU WILL NOT EXCEED THE GREATER OF (A) $100 USD OR (B) THE TOTAL LISTING FEES YOU PAID TO US IN THE 12 MONTHS PRECEDING THE CLAIM.

12. Indemnification

You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless LocalFishTank from any claim, demand, loss, damage, or expense (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising from (a) your use of the Service, (b) your Listings or content, (c) your interactions or transactions with other users, (d) your violation of these Terms, or (e) your violation of any law or third-party right.

13. Dispute resolution

Any dispute between you and LocalFishTank arising out of these Terms or your use of the Service will be resolved by binding individual arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association under its Consumer Arbitration Rules. You waive any right to participate in a class action. Either party may bring a qualifying claim in small-claims court.

14. Governing law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the United States and, where applicable, the state of the LocalFishTank operating entity, without regard to conflict-of-laws principles.

15. Changes to these Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. Material changes will be communicated by email or an in-app notice at least 7 days before they take effect. Continued use of the Service after the effective date constitutes acceptance.

16. Contact

Questions about these Terms? See our Contact page.