Terms of Service

By accessing or using TankMates ("the Platform," "we," "us," or "our"), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service. If you do not agree to these terms, you may not use the Platform.

These terms apply to all users, including buyers, sellers, breeders, and businesses operating on the Platform.

TankMates is an online marketplace and community platform for the aquarium and aquatics hobby. We provide a venue for users to:

• Buy and sell aquarium-related products and livestock
• Share breeding projects and aquarium journeys
• Connect with other hobbyists and businesses
• Post want-to-buy requests and listings

IMPORTANT: TankMates is a venue only. We are not directly involved in transactions between buyers and sellers. We do not own, sell, resell, ship, or control any items listed on the Platform.

TankMates is NOT responsible for transactions between users.

By using our Platform, you acknowledge and agree that:

• Independent Transactions: All transactions are directly between buyers and sellers. TankMates is not a party to these transactions and has no control over the quality, safety, legality, or accuracy of listings.
• No Guarantees: We do not guarantee the existence, quality, safety, or legality of items advertised. We do not verify user-provided information.
• User Responsibility: You are solely responsible for evaluating sellers, products, and services before purchasing. Perform your own due diligence.
• Payment and Shipping: TankMates does not process payments or handle shipping. These are arranged directly between buyers and sellers.
• Disputes: Any disputes arising from transactions must be resolved directly between the parties involved. TankMates is not responsible for mediating or resolving disputes.
• Livestock Sales: Live animal sales carry inherent risks. We are not responsible for the health, condition, or survival of livestock purchased through the Platform.

To use TankMates, you must:

• Be at least 16 years of age
• Provide accurate and complete registration information
• Maintain the security of your account credentials
• Notify us immediately of any unauthorized access

You are responsible for all activities that occur under your account. You may not share your account or transfer it to another person.

If you list items for sale, you agree to:

• Accurate Listings: Provide truthful, accurate, and complete descriptions of items
• Legal Compliance: Comply with all applicable laws, including biosecurity regulations, wildlife protection laws, and trade restrictions
• Tax Obligations: Be responsible for all applicable taxes, licenses, and permits required for your sales
• Regional Restrictions: Include appropriate disclaimers for sales to restricted regions (e.g., Western Australia, Northern Territory biosecurity zones)
• Prohibited Items: Not list illegal, prohibited, or restricted items
• Animal Welfare: Ensure livestock is healthy, properly packaged, and shipped humanely

If you purchase items, you agree to:

• Due Diligence: Research sellers and products before purchasing
• Legal Compliance: Ensure you can legally purchase and possess items in your jurisdiction
• Payment: Pay for items as agreed with the seller
• Communication: Respond promptly to seller communications
• Biosecurity: Acknowledge and comply with any biosecurity disclaimers for your region

The Platform allows you to post content, including listings, journeys, comments, and messages ("User Content"). By posting User Content, you:

• Grant License: Grant TankMates a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to use, display, and distribute your content on the Platform
• Represent and Warrant: You own or have the rights to post the content, and it does not violate any third-party rights
• Accept Responsibility: You are solely responsible for your User Content and its consequences

You may NOT use TankMates to:

• Violate any laws or regulations
• Infringe on intellectual property rights
• Post false, misleading, or fraudulent content
• Harass, abuse, or harm other users
• Sell illegal, prohibited, or restricted items
• Engage in price manipulation or shill bidding
• Spam or send unsolicited commercial messages
• Scrape, data mine, or use automated tools without permission
• Interfere with the Platform's operation or security
• Impersonate any person or entity
• Create multiple accounts to evade restrictions
• Engage in any form of market manipulation

You may NOT list the following on TankMates:

• Illegally collected or endangered species (CITES-listed animals)
• Stolen property
• Counterfeit or unauthorized goods
• Items that violate wildlife protection laws
• Items that violate biosecurity or quarantine regulations
• Weapons, drugs, or controlled substances
• Adult content or services
• Human remains or body parts

The Platform and its content (excluding User Content) are owned by TankMates and protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws.

You may not copy, modify, distribute, or create derivative works from our Platform without explicit permission.

DMCA Notices

If you believe content on TankMates infringes your copyright, please contact us at [email protected] with:

• Identification of the copyrighted work
• Location of the infringing material
• Your contact information
• A statement of good faith belief
• Your electronic or physical signature

TankMates reserves the right, but has no obligation, to monitor, review, and remove User Content that violates these Terms or is otherwise objectionable.

We may remove content or suspend accounts at our sole discretion, without prior notice, for any reason including but not limited to:

• Violation of these Terms
• Illegal activity
• Fraudulent or misleading content
• Harassment or abusive behavior
• Spam or commercial abuse
• Multiple user reports

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, TANKMATES SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES ARISING FROM YOUR USE OF THE PLATFORM, INCLUDING:

• Direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages
• Loss of profits, revenue, or data
• Transactions between users
• Quality, safety, or legality of items listed
• User conduct or content
• Unauthorized access to your account
• Platform interruptions or errors

Some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion of certain warranties or limitation of liability. In such cases, our liability will be limited to the maximum extent permitted by law.

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless TankMates, its officers, directors, employees, and agents from any claims, damages, losses, or expenses (including legal fees) arising from:

• Your use of the Platform
• Your User Content
• Your violation of these Terms
• Your violation of any third-party rights
• Your transactions with other users

Between Users

Disputes between buyers and sellers must be resolved directly between the parties. TankMates is not responsible for mediating or resolving such disputes.

With TankMates

For disputes with TankMates, you agree to first attempt informal resolution by contacting [email protected]. If unresolved within 30 days, disputes shall be governed by the laws of New South Wales, Australia, and subject to the jurisdiction of Australian courts.

You may terminate your account at any time through your account settings.

We may suspend or terminate your account immediately, without notice, if we believe you have violated these Terms, engaged in fraudulent activity, or for any other reason at our sole discretion.

Upon termination, your right to use the Platform ceases immediately. We may delete your User Content, though some content may remain in backups or be retained as required by law.

We may modify these Terms at any time. We will notify users of significant changes by posting a notice on the Platform or sending an email.

Your continued use of TankMates after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.

THE PLATFORM IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR NON-INFRINGEMENT.

We do not warrant that the Platform will be uninterrupted, error-free, or secure. We do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content on the Platform.

These Terms are governed by the laws of New South Wales, Australia, without regard to conflict of law principles.

Any legal action arising from these Terms must be brought in the courts of New South Wales, Australia, and you consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of those courts.

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable or invalid, that provision will be limited or eliminated to the minimum extent necessary, and the remaining provisions will remain in full force and effect.

For questions about these Terms of Service, please contact us:

• Email: [email protected]
• Support: [email protected]