Arg! My Vent!

[Cajun Tuna]

I went into my fish shop this past week to get the ammonia and nitrate/trite test kits, and when I looked in their guppy tank, I noticed many of their guppies have severe fin rot and are COVERED in ich. Now, before I found this site and started reading here and on the net in general about fish, I would have thought the fins and tails were supposed to be 'feathery.' But even as a beginner, I recognised the Ich immediately. It was disgusting, some of them had like salt-looking white stuff caked onto their fins, tails, and even on their bodies, and fins half ate away . I called the guy over and asked him what it was, he looked horrified but said he didn't know, so I told him he better get his fish guy to medicate the tank.

But they are selling those fish to people who might take them home and infect their entire tank.

I am never going there again. It is hard living in the bush, there is not much available in the way of fish suppliers.

This is the same supplier who told me to only change the water in my fish tanks once every three or four weeks.

Humph!

Okay, vent over.

How do I pick a good supplier ?! What do I look for? I know healthy fish is a good place to start....

 

[kris-b-]

You need good advice from the store, if they tell you to change the water every 4 weeks then do they really know whats best for fish?

 

[ncjharris]

Trial and error is unfortunatelly sometimes to only way.

But, the condition of the livestock, the amount of customers, the diversity of the livestock, recommendations, general appearance - these are a few things I use to judge the state of the fish shops.

However, bear in mind, all may not be as it seems.
The closest LFS to us used to have a good selection of fish, but always have a couple of dead ones. We avoided it like the plague. Then a month or so ago, an emergency meant we had to visit there for some medicine, and lo and behold, the whole place was 100x better. We go there regually now.

 

[Weaver]

I take a look at the tanks first and if the fish look healthy thats a good sign.I also ask a couple of questions to which I already know the answer and that usually lets me know if they are interested in their fish or just want a quick sale.
I also listen to what they are telling other customers and also what questions they are asking other customers.
Like you there are not a lot of lfs nearby but Id rather travel to the 2 or 3 good ones than end up with bad fish