Terms & Conditions
Terms & Conditions
Effective Date: 6 February 2026
Last Updated: 6 February 2026
1. Introduction
Welcome to Little Creatures Zooplankton and Aquaculture. These Terms & Conditions (“Terms”) govern your use of our website and the purchase of our live aquaculture products, including copepods, phytoplankton, zooplankton, and other marine microfauna.
By accessing our website or placing an order, you agree to be bound by these Terms.
Business Details:
Little Creatures Zooplankton and Aquaculture
Castle Hill, NSW, Australia
ABN: 26 487 799 265
Email: littlecreaturesau@gmail.com
2. Product Information
Live Perishable Products
Our products consist of live, perishable marine organisms cultured in Australia. Each batch is hand‑cultured, bottled fresh, and shipped to maintain maximum viability and nutritional value.
Product Shelf Life
Under optimal storage conditions:
- Up to 10 days without refrigeration
- Up to 21 days when refrigerated
- Up to 3 months for refrigerated phytoplankton blends
Important: Shelf life may vary due to transit time, climate, and storage conditions. Refrigerate immediately upon arrival and store away from heat and direct sunlight.
Product Descriptions
We strive to provide accurate descriptions and representative images. Natural variation in live organisms is expected. Density, colour, and organism size may vary between batches.
Availability
All products are subject to availability. If a product becomes unavailable after purchase, we will offer:
- A suitable alternative
- Store credit
- A full refund
3. Pricing & Payment
Pricing
All prices are listed in Australian Dollars (AUD) and include GST where applicable. Prices may change without notice, but changes do not affect confirmed orders.
Payment Methods
We accept:
- Shop Pay
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
All payments are processed securely.
Payment Processing
Payment is taken at checkout. Orders are not dispatched until payment is confirmed.
Refunds
Refunds are issued to the same payment method used for the original purchase. Refunds typically process within 5–7 business days, though banks may require additional time.
4. Shipping & Delivery
Shipping Policy
We ship Australia‑wide using trusted courier partners. Shipping costs are calculated at checkout.
Estimated Delivery Timeframes
- Capital Cities: Next business day (goal, not guaranteed)
- Regional Areas: Within the same working week
- Remote Areas: 2–5 business days
Delivery times may vary due to courier delays, weather, or other external factors.
Shipping Restrictions
We may delay shipping during:
- Heatwaves or extreme temperatures
- Public holidays
- Natural disasters
- Courier disruptions
Customers may choose to reschedule dispatch, receive store credit, or request replacement stock.
Delivery Guarantee
We guarantee live arrival for all orders delivered within 10 days of dispatch, excluding extreme weather conditions.
5. Live Arrival Guarantee & Returns Policy
100% Live Arrival Guarantee
We guarantee that all live cultures arrive alive, active, and healthy when shipped under normal conditions.
Dead on Arrival (DOA) Policy
If your live products arrive dead or in poor condition, you are protected by our 100% replacement guarantee or store credit option.
To qualify for DOA coverage:
- Report the issue within 24 hours of delivery
- Provide clear photo or video evidence
- Email littlecreaturesau@gmail.com with your order number
DOA Resolution Options:
- Free Replacement — replacement stock of equal or greater value
- Store Credit — full value of affected products
- Cash Refund — available with evidence (processed within 5–7 business days)
Automatic Replacement for Courier Delays
If your order does not arrive within the same working week, we automatically offer replacement stock or store credit.
Monday Shipment Guarantee
All Monday shipments are covered by our 100% replacement guarantee.
No Returns on Live Products
Due to the perishable nature of live organisms, we cannot accept returns for change of mind.
6. Australian Consumer Law
Nothing in these Terms excludes, restricts, or modifies your rights under the Australian Consumer Law (ACL).
Under the ACL, you are entitled to:
- Products of acceptable quality
- Products that match their description
- Refunds or replacements for major failures
Our Live Arrival Guarantee and DOA Policy operate in addition to your ACL rights.
7. Limitation of Liability
Product Use
Our live cultures are intended for aquariums, aquaculture systems, reef tanks, and marine hobbyist use.
We are not responsible for:
- Tank‑specific compatibility issues
- Breeding or reproduction outcomes
- Long‑term survival after acclimation
- Improper handling or acclimation
- Reduced shelf life due to heat, transit time, or poor storage
Acclimation
Customers are responsible for proper acclimation. Results vary depending on tank conditions, water chemistry, and maintenance practices.
Storage Recommendations
To maximise shelf life:
- Refrigerate immediately
- Avoid heat and direct sunlight
- Maintain stable temperatures
- Follow product‑specific instructions
Maximum Liability
Our total liability is limited to the purchase price of the affected products, to the extent permitted by law.
8. Discounts & Promotions
Repeat Customer Discounts
Returning customers may receive exclusive discounts and offers.
Promotional Terms
- Discounts cannot be combined unless stated
- Promotions may be withdrawn at any time
- Orders misusing promo codes may be cancelled
9. Intellectual Property
All content on this website — including product names (Hulk Juice™, Gold Rush™, Reefs Choice™, Dino Assist™), brand slogans (Masters of Aquaculture™), images, and educational materials — is the exclusive property of Little Creatures Zooplankton and Aquaculture.
Unauthorised use is strictly prohibited.
See our Intellectual Property & Legal Notice for full details.
10. Privacy
Please refer to our Privacy Policy for details on how we collect, store, and protect your personal information.
11. Order Cancellations & Modifications
Customer Cancellations
Orders may be cancelled or modified within 2 hours of placement.
Once preparation begins, cancellations are no longer possible.
Our Right to Cancel
We may cancel orders due to:
- Stock shortages
- Pricing or listing errors
- Suspected fraud
Cancelled orders receive a full refund.
12. Communication
By placing an order, you consent to receive:
- Order confirmations
- Shipping updates
- Customer service messages
- Abandoned cart reminders
- SMS or phone calls for urgent issues
We only use SMS or phone contact for time‑sensitive matters.
13. Disputes & Governing Law
Dispute Resolution
If you have a complaint, contact us at littlecreaturesau@gmail.com.
We aim to resolve issues promptly and fairly.
Governing Law
These Terms are governed by the laws of New South Wales, Australia.
14. Changes to Terms
We may update these Terms periodically.
The “Last Updated” date reflects the most recent revision.
15. Contact Us
For questions about these Terms & Conditions:
Little Creatures Zooplankton and Aquaculture
Email: littlecreaturesau@gmail.com
Website: https://littlecreatureszooplanktonandaquaculture.com.au
By placing an order with Little Creatures, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to these Terms & Conditions.