Should I Buy Tropical Fish Online?

[australia]

am i taking a risk buying tropical fish online?

 

[Scotch_Egg]

Yeh because you dont know the condition of them or wether they have a virus. Dont do it!!!

 

[BigC]

Depends if you've seen something rare or unobtainable in your area.

 

[Lion007]

I'm dead against this, i hate driving home with them in a bag, infact i blag someone to hold it dead still whilst i drive in a insulated box lol never mind them being transported through postal couriers!! One that used to deliver to my shop with bits, also took some live bits to pets at home, and the way they chuked them about was unreal! (im not entirely sure what was in the cases though). I wouldnt be too bothered about viruses etc, as i always put mine in a seperate tank to moniter them before they get added to the aquarium.

 

[FiSh123FiSh]

nope, never get anything from the internet as the fish could be badly looked after and come with disease.But if you really won't to get the fish go ahead. But i would advise not to buy fish from the internet.

 

[starrynightxxi]

i've gotten several fish off the internet and they have alwys arrived in good shape. I recieved one female betta who came out of the bag with breeding stripes, rather than the stress stripes I might have understandably expected.

HOWEVER, you are taking a risk. You can't see the fish, so they MAY be sick or poorly kept, or even misrepresented. Also, if you aren't willing to pay for a decent shipper, then you risk putting the fish through the regular postal service where they will be in transport longer and likely treated less carefully. Shippers like FedEx and UPS are much more responsible (in the US, don't know the options outside this country).

But it has its advantages. If you want a fish you cannot get in your area, the internet is about your only option. If the fish in question, however, CAN be purchased in your area from a reliable dealer (ie: good health and not misrepresented, which should be less of an issue if you research what you are purchasing) than you are better off doing so.

 

[Tolak]

Seriously research the seller, and quarantine. The fish in your lfs are for the most part shipped quite a distance, if you are in Australia fish such as neons are mainly wild caught, and shipped from South America. The drive home is really nothing, properly bagged fish can go for several hours without a problem.

With proper research & quar I have never had a problem with buying fish online. Skip either and you are looking for trouble.

 

[australia]

thanks alot

 

[Unseen]

i have ordered on line and the 13 fishes were all ok. obviously the company selling the fishes are fish keepers themselves and will never let the fishes be treated badly. the only thing is that u don't get to see the fishes before purchase and delivery may be an issue so make sure that the cost of delivery and the amount of fishes u order are ok. theres no point in 25 pound delivery charge on 4 pounds worth of fish.

 

[JamieBailie]

Would you really want your fish in a bag for over 24 hours?
Just spend the extra few quid and get them at a LFS

But obviously if they are rare then it may be your only option, Except to PM the seller and ask if the fish can be collected.

I have been in postal/courrier warehouses + offices and I would NOT want to send fish this way... Boxes are thrown and slammed about everywhere.

 

[mcdanielnc89]

if u bu TFO there is no difference than going to a LFS. u dont know whats in thier water either...

 

[Lion007]

if u bu TFO there is no difference than going to a LFS. u dont know whats in thier water either...

Yes but atleast you can ask them for a sample of there water to test before buying

 

[K.J.]

It depends, if you want a quality breeding care, or if they're fish you just can't seem to find locally. But if you do intend on putting them into a tank with other fish, quarantine for about 2 - 3 weeks and be sure.

 

[ArauraDiscus]

Almost 95 percent of the fish people can get were ordered or recieved through the internet and shipping. It's not a problem.