In defence of LFSs

[Loupe]

This isn't an attack on people who make anti-LFS posts, I agree that a lot of LFSs are horrible. This is just a thread to remind people that there is good as well as bad. One of my LFs is a shining example.Ot stocks a huge selection of fish, and will order them for you as well, not just put you on the waiting list for their regular stock. On every tank they have stickers for each species in there with comments on how aggressive they are, how big they grow, and what they prefer to eat. There is also special information such as fin-nippers, need a specialised rift valley lakes tank and other things. I have never seena dead fish there. They have a god selection of harware and will give you a free begginers booklet that they make if you ask. They also have big posters saying waht fish you can add when. They definately quarantine fish because they have quarantije tanks on show with the lights off. This is helpful because it means I can plan my purchases. They are also friendly.

Now it's your turn...
Thanks,
James

 

[HeatherSweetness]

I have a good story about my lfs,good ole Petco...

Everytime I go in there to look at the fish,I tell them what I want and they ask me how big my tank is,how long it's been running,what's in it already,have I ever had this type of fish before,whether it lays eggs or has live babies,what can't go with it,whether it is a schooling fish,how aggressive it is,and whether it's naturally colored or not.

I expressed my dismay for the poor glass tetras that were painted,and the gal told me they were dye injected and never to buy them because they have short life spans and die quickly,she also pointed out to me all of the other dyed fish and told me never to buy them.

I have a good Petco.

 

[Dwarfs]

The only bad one near me is petco. Their only good for supplies, not live fish

 

[Auratus]

My petco sucks BUT that's where I find my "rare" bettas. At least their rare around these parts. Come to ca and try to find a ct.... impossible!!!!

My lfs is GREAT. I am actually lucky enough to have 3!!!! one is one of those only there to make money stores but the other two rock!!! I need to go take pictures one day!!!! Words cannot describe the coolness that is my lfs.

 

[noelberg]

I appreciate my locally owned lfs: Franklin Pet and Hardware.

They have the largest selection in the area, and the pets manager just hung out with my friend and me, shooting the ####e and talking fish for a good 45 minutes. He answered all our questions and gave us some hints too. He got rid of the painted fish for a while, but the customers and the owner bitched out the guy who orders fish, so they had to sell painted glassfish again or lose customers But he isn't afraid to tell people that certain fish aren't right for their tank, and he also reminds his employees to do the same.

Anyway, this is the only store I've been to where the manager took time to talk with customers, so I always buy aquarium stuff there now.

 

[Grams]

theres a place where i live called house of tropicals there fish crazy almost every tropical fish u could think of thats where i got my old red tail catfish from and my rare bettas

 

[ladynaoko]

Creamstone aquatics - very very nice place for fish. Have a large selection of happy healthy fish (yet to see a dead fish in their tanks!) with clear labelling of sizes, temperment etc on each tank. They'll also order in "specials" for you

 

[Dwarfs]

My petco sucks BUT that's where I find my "rare" bettas. At least their rare around these parts. Come to ca and try to find a ct.... impossible!!!!

My lfs is GREAT. I am actually lucky enough to have 3!!!! one is one of those only there to make money stores but the other two rock!!! I need to go take pictures one day!!!! Words cannot describe the coolness that is my lfs.

AT my petco they're rare....they rarely live

 

[DarknessMe]

my lfs rocks. The have a largish poster telling you to boycott dyed fish. They have MASSIVE outdoor ponds one with about 30 One foot koy fish that you can buy food for and hand feed.

They order in specials and they nave over 50 different tanks all labeled.

beat that.

 

[modernhamlet]

Dude! Where do you live? That sounds like the Mecca of LFS.

 

[De Plano]

One of my local ones talked me out of a more expensive light and told me a cheaper model would probably be better.

 

[StanTheBetta]

heh it depends on the person thats working the fish section at petco when I go there. If its the "fish lady" as I've deemed her then she gives pretty good advice.

 

[drobbins27]

theres a place where i live called house of tropicals there fish crazy almost every tropical fish u could think of thats where i got my old red tail catfish from and my rare bettas

You have a redtailed catfish How large is your tank

 

[adcs]

When I buy fish at my lfs and Pets at Home (I think it used to be called Pet Smart), I get the Spanish Inquisition!

One time at P@H, I wanted to buy about 10 fish for a couple of different tanks and I almost got in to a fight with the shop assistant! She was like "you can't introduce all those fish at once" and I was like "They're not all for the same tank" and I swear she didn't believe me.

I always feel interrogated.

At my local pet store (Paws for Thought) I found a really pretty FEMALE Siamese fighter. I knew it was definitely a female and this guy was like "They're not females, they're all beginning to turn - they're all fighting". At the time I gave him the benefit of the doubt and didn't buy the fish, but I go back and it's still there and it's STILL A FEMALE!!! They're so hard to come by.

This same guy looked at me and said "Do you even have fish at home?" just 'cos I didn't know what to call the 'modified Anal Fins' on Angelfish and called them 'feeler thingies'. Cranky old B****rd!

I suppose it's good, but it doesn't stop irresponsible people from buying fish - people just lie.

 

[bunjiweb]

My local fish shop - "Aquatics Habitat" in Brockworth, Gloucestershire, England.... is a GREAT shop.... full of supplies, about 80 tropical tanks, 42 marine and 20 coldwater....

Very helpful staff besides one of them who's a bit sharp when u ask him questions and makes you feel inferior.

Oh and they have posters on how to look after clown fish and they refuse to sell them unless you can prove you have the right tank for it which i think is a great idea...stops people putting them in goldfish bowls and wondering why they die!! They also have a big poster on the back of the door about dying fish, so they obviously care

Ben

p.s. here's the website: http/www.the-aquatic-habitat.co.uk/