Live Medaka Shipped to Washington
Yes, I ship live Japanese rice fish to Washington. Boxes leave Raleigh, North Carolina on Mondays by UPS 2nd Day Air, so a Monday box is normally due Wednesday. I have no shop or pickup in Washington. Firefly fish have already landed in Washington.
Washington weather and your fish
Western Washington is mild and wet, so watch for overflowing tubs in long rains. Eastern Washington is drier with colder winters and hotter summers, and several plants are restricted statewide.
Seattle and Tacoma keepers get long, gray winters with little deep freeze, so overflow matters more than ice. Spokane and the Tri-Cities get real summer heat and sharp cold, so plan more like Idaho there.
When to order
I check the forecast for your address and not just the state, because inland weather differs so much.
Keeping medaka here
Roughly USDA hardiness zones 4 to 9. Leave freeboard for rain on the mild coast, and add volume and shade inland. A 10-gallon or larger indoor tank works anywhere. More in my winter guide.
Plants for Washington
I do not ship Amazon Frogbit, Floating Plant Variety Pack, Anacharis, and Submerged Plant Variety Pack to Washington. The rest of my plant shop can go, and the free floating plants in a fish or snail order are chosen from what is legal to send you.
Rates, holds, and the live arrival guarantee are on my shipping page. Never release fish or plants into local water, and ask your state wildlife agency about local rules.
Common questions
Can you ship live medaka to Washington?
Yes, from Raleigh, North Carolina, by UPS 2nd Day Air on Mondays, with a live arrival guarantee.
Can medaka live outside all year in Washington?
In mild areas, usually yes. Inland areas need more volume and care.