Is there a fish store in common to go to?

[Rhys19]

I have a few fish stores but the one I goto is Petco, and Petsmart however I've had some bad luck with them recently after receiving ICH in my tank and some had fin rot, etc

I did go and buy a clown loach from an actual aquarium store that is only turtles, snakes, and fish. but that clown loach died however I do believe that was my fault I never let him get used to his surroundings before I changed around décor and after a few days he was stuck against my filter.

Fish stores around me are:
Petco
Petsmart
Tropical World Pets
Aqua world
Gateway Aquatics
The corner reef

and then some others I can't remember

are any of these recommended?

 

[Bruce Leyland-Jones]

All I can offer is to acquire some up to date knowledge about stocking levels, for example, or about the Nitrogen Cycle, or cycling a tank and then go and ask the staff at the establishment you're testing. You should soon get a good idea about just how well the staff are trained and/or experienced.
Also, don't be afraid to ask what sort of training staff have had.

For example, Pets At Home over here is like your Petsmart and I know that staff have to attend a large number of training modules. However, I know which staff still haven't a clue and which ones do. (Some go full-on Rabbit-in-the-Headlights and run for a manager).

Ask about their water parameters, how they test and how they quarantine new fish. Ask about their cleaning and feeding regimes.

Then visit the shops on a regular basis and spend time simply watching their stock. Over a few visits, you'll get a good impression of the general health of their fish. If anyone leaves dead or dying fish unattended, then leave them well alone. One shop told me that they were too busy to attend to a distressed fish and when I suggested she had her priorities wrong, she called the Manager. He was 'disappointed' with her and she was moved away from Fish.

Don't be afraid to ask questions about specific fish and then go outside and look it up to see how their information compares. If there is a difference, go back and ask why there info differs from your other source.

 

[Byron]

I will never again buy fish from a chain fish store, like Petsmart, Petco, Petland. The number of diseased fish when I was buying from these stores was too great to be a coincidence when none of the fish acquired from independent stores ever brought in disease. I was told that these chain stores receive their fish from the same source for that chain, and that is the problem. Independent -owned stores can select their suppliers. I've never heard of the other mentioned stores, but if any of them are a chain, go elsewhere.

Staff being knowledgeable isn't really as much of a concern; if the fish they sell are healthy, and I can easily do the research on the species, it matters not one whit what knowledge the staff may or may not have. Though having said that, it would be more comforting to know they knew something about fish...I was lucky as I said elsewhere that I had incredibly good local stores when I started, on both counts (healthy fish and knowledgeable staff).

Research, Always research any species before you buy the fish, to make sure you know exactly what it requires to be healthy, be it water parameters, numbers, tank size, compatibility, whatever. Ask for the scientific name--it is usually on the store's invoice from the supplier--so you know the exact species. I've done this and acquired some lovely fish, or avoided what would have been a total disaster had I listened to the employee's "advice."

 

[PADogman]

I don't trust any of the big box stores around me. Namely Petco. I asked them for advice on lighting and they were clueless. But they did have the substrate I was after... so anything none-living that I need to buy and already know what I'm after, I haven't crossed them off my list.

And one of two local and privately owned aquarium shops is aquarium stuff only and pretty knowledgeable. I trust the owners, who are always there.
The other was just taken over by someone new and the jury is still out on them, but they did have a nice selection of natural hardscape.

There's really no way to tell until you visit them and test them a little, like @Bruce Leyland-Jones mentioned.
Unless someone here is specifically from your AO.

 

[Rhys19]

will have to test and see.

 

[Sgooosh]

I will never again buy fish from a chain fish store, like Petsmart, Petco, Petland. The number of diseased fish when I was buying from these stores was too great to be a coincidence when none of the fish acquired from independent stores ever brought in disease. I was told that these chain stores receive their fish from the same source for that chain, and that is the problem. Independent -owned stores can select their suppliers. I've never heard of the other mentioned stores, but if any of them are a chain, go elsewhere.

Staff being knowledgeable isn't really as much of a concern; if the fish they sell are healthy, and I can easily do the research on the species, it matters not one whit what knowledge the staff may or may not have. Though having said that, it would be more comforting to know they knew something about fish...I was lucky as I said elsewhere that I had incredibly good local stores when I started, on both counts (healthy fish and knowledgeable staff).

Research, Always research any species before you buy the fish, to make sure you know exactly what it requires to be healthy, be it water parameters, numbers, tank size, compatibility, whatever. Ask for the scientific name--it is usually on the store's invoice from the supplier--so you know the exact species. I've done this and acquired some lovely fish, or avoided what would have been a total disaster had I listened to the employee's "advice."

oh strange
my petsmart is like the best store with no sick fish ever...
plus they have 3 dollar dumbo guppies(like the very nice ones)
on the other hand petco,
my petco is the worst place
in every tank theres at least 2-3 ded fish
and theres some private stores that are all good
i really think it depends where you are...
that stores have good stuff or not

 

[Rhys19]

in petco and petsmart they sell like these tiny fish my father called them "Feeder fish" there's like hundreds of them in there and well theres like 50 dead ones too... they have like 20 if not 50 sets of different tanks with them in it. and I occasionally see dead fish in the regular tanks though, but I still assume the filtration is the same for the main tanks? i'm not sure how it goes behind the scenes.

 

[Rhys19]

though in the tropical world pets store the fish werent dead or sick only downside is the prices are like high to the sky. it's insane you try and get the same size clownloach at petco/petsmart it's $10 at tropical world pets it's like $30.00

 

[ClownLurch]

Pets At Home over here are excellent for plants. Tropica brand.

The advice ive heard given in there to obvious newbies ala “put this stuff in the tank and come back tomorrow for your fish etc”has made me walk out at times.
I’m in there about three times a week as it’s opposite our local supermarket and both are within minutes of us. The two kids who seem to do most of the fish side of things obviously know a bit of stuff but are young and under pressure to sell. They’ve even asked me a few questions actually and seem to think I know more than I do tbh!