Pet Stores

[Cheese Specialist]

Um, I can't really choose one of those - I suppose I'm skeptical but I don't get the second bit.

Anyway, my lfs are good in that they check how long you've had your tank, what's in it etc before allowing you to buy any fish. Problem is, I hear them giving out wrong advice all the time. Like saying a male betta is fine with any other fish, it's the other fish that pick on it. I don't know what a male guppy would think of that.

 

[Eelzor]

I trust them but research it later

 

[Loopyness]

i think its bad that the bettas are kept in cups. at my lfs they are in tanks, most the time on there own or with nice fishies that dont eat them. mine was with some catfish. i think that all fish shops give out bad advice at some time or another, maybe they shouldnt employ people who know nothing about fish.

 

[FrankSlapperinni]

I trust both of my LFS's intermediately. I never ask them for advise because I do all of the research in advance (mostly because I have to convince my mom to drive the all long ways to get there, and I don't want it to be a wasted trip) when I was first starting out, and I had know idea about fish requirements, they recommended me to a very good book, and thanks to them I got of on the right foot.
Although lately I've begun to trust them less and less, the more knowledgeable people aren't around as much anymore as the net jockeys, and I hear a lot of misinformation going around. last time I went in, they even had a Tank of "Mixed Fruit Tetras" (dyed fish).

 

[Tempestuousfury]

Do research before going to the lfs so you can see if they corroborate the info you got. If they do, then you know that you can trust them, somewhat. I think it's best to research fish before buying them because that's the best way to keep the fish from dying and it's the best way to get the most accurate info on care.

 

[Annastasia]

I totally trust my LFS. I have never gotten a bad fish from them. The people are really helpful too.

 

[guppygirl]

I went to petco once.... looks great, but I accidentally introduced an awful disease. Man, I am never going there again. Petsmart has great selection but you have to really be careful with the way the fish in the tanks look. I fortunately have 3 really nice FISH stores around my area, and 2 of them have given me the greatest advice.
One thing to say... DON'T BUY ON IMPULSE!!!
Robin

 

[PereguineFalcon]

Thankz for your info guppygirl!! I liked that advice about not buying on impulse....sometimes its hard to resist the urge to buy that beautiful fish. I think one of the hardest things to do is to go to the LPS and just LOOK at the fish and not BUY any of the fish...lol. Thankz for your input everyone!

 

[Yenko]

Out of the 4 lfs in my town, only one is a good place. One is the evil Walmart corporation, and the other is Pets Unlimited, which isn't as bad, but still not all that great. There's a little place in the mall that has a large pirranah in a 30 gallon tank, almost 20 gouramis (big ones) in a 20 gallon tank, and a 10 gallon tank with about 15 tiger barbs in it. The nice one isn't a chain store, doesn't overstock their tanks badly (The cheap schooling fish are a bit overstocked, but they look healthy enough) and are very helpful.

 

[fishdudein]

I find it's not so much the store itself, but the person working there. Yeah, they're representing the store, but for some, it's just a part time job, and then there are the ones who have more fishtanks at home than the shop has on display...these are the ones you need to search out and deal with, especially for info and asking questions.Most local owned shops have at least one person on board like this, and it's best to get to know them by name. Talk with them while they're netting your fish out, make them aware of who you are and find out who they are, and what their interests are. You'll be amazed at the difference it makes. I know there are all kinds of horror stories, but the guy on the other side of the counter has his OWN stories,and they're just as bad from his side. It's hard to sell a beautiful fish to someone , and you KNOW they're lying to you about their tank being cycled.