What makes a good lfs.

[akulashark]

So I am doing fishless cycle, on day two so no progress yet. Yesterday I went to a different LFS and thought to myslef, ghetto! I didn't like the way the tanks were presented and everything seemed dirty. They did have a huge slection of fresh and salt water but like I said it all seemed very ghetto. This is an Aquarium and Pet store, where you can buy cats and dogs etc...

The other place I have been is Aquarium Adventure, if you haven't seen this place it is very neat looking. We used to go there with our 3 year old and just browse, because it is like going to some big Aquarium you pay for. They have sharks and rays and all of that. I like the looks of the store it seems very clean and well presented, I don't know.

I am a certified diver and the best dive shop I know about is very ghetto looking but the people there are some of the best divers ever.

So, I guess, what should I look for in a quality fish store?

 

[phoenix]

personally the first 2 things I look at are the condition of the tanks, and the overall health of the fish in the tanks.
What i mean by that is the tanks are well cared for and not covered in algea and the such the water is clear, not overcrowded, well maintained ect..

and for the fish that they look healthy,they are active, and not overcrowded, there is not a bunch of dead ones floating around, and they are DISEASE FREE...


I have been in some LFS were the fish obviously had ICH and other disease and turned around and walked out.. It is my feeling if one tank is diseased they may all be since alot of stores have their tanks networked for filtering and the such. All the tanks are hooked togeather basically.

The third thing which is hard to find is the staff has a good knowledge of fishkeeping. And doesnt try to sell you alot of stuff you dont really need and fish that dont go togeather. A staff that truely knows their fish.

I can overlook a disorganized looking store, some people are just disorganized period. As a matter of fact years ago the LFS that I went to was just that way. The guys tanks were emaculant, the fish were healthy and great looking and his knowledge was great.. But if you were to ask him where he kept his nets it would take him 5 minutes to find them,the place always looked like a bomb just went off. If you were to ask a question about a fish he would instantly tell you everything you need to know about it...

 

[thecichlidaddict]

What i mean by that is the tanks are well cared for and not covered in algea and the such the water is clear, not overcrowded, well maintained ect..

I see your point, but don't believe that aglae is a good way to judge cleanliness. Algae eats nitrates - it is acually good for the tanks.

Overcrowded is hard to avoid also becuase they are fish stores, and they need to maximize space.

Clear water, definetly - even in overcrowded tanks they should have a system that keeps things clear. Healthy fish - absolutely, as well as obvious disease, look for listless fish with no life to them - unless the species in question is always like that. Fish die in stores, it can't be helped, but a decent store will do rounds and clear out dead fish throughout the day for presentation - all though I know deaths are inevitable, they still turn me off.

As far as knowledge is concerned, I like to ask some fairly easy questions, that many stores seem to mess up - questions that can test not only the knowledge, but the honesty of the place. I'll only help them by supporting them if they can help me by providing useful and honest info (the fact that I already know more then them is irrelevent)

 

[wuvmybetta]

I have been in some LFS were the fish obviously had ICH and other disease and turned around and walked out..

I love,love,looove my lfs. But occasionally....ich happens . They can't prevent it if the fish is stressed from shipping but they DO treat it and the fish quickly recover.

I'd look for...nice selection, well-maintained tanks, and most importantly a small staff that's friendly and not "money hungry". The advantage of a small staff is that you'll always talk to the same people when you go in there,rather than having to start your story all over again to a new helper and have them contradict what the guy on first shift told you

I was at my lfs last night waiting for a friend to get off work. A family came in two minutes before they closed and they wanted some big fish. Even though the shop was anxious to close they took the time to explain a cycle,ask about tank size and steer them away from the pricey fish and over to the danios. What could have easily been a 20.00 sale wound up being a 3.00 sale. It's all about the fish and the customers, not the money That's what you should look for

 

[White Whale]

Positive signs:
- the smell - or lack thereof
- clean floors
- clear water
- well stocked/maintained tanks
- large selection
- active fish with bright colors
- clear water in betta bowls/cups
- helpful employees

Extra points:
- beautiful/eye-catching displays for the customers (tank decor and presentation)

=========

Negative signs:
- the smell
- dirty floors
- dirty tanks
- overstocked tanks (wall-to-wall fish that are NOT feeder fish)
- understocked tanks
- lethargic/dull-colored fish
- employees act as if it were a hangout instead of a workplace
- cherry-picking employees (and doing it right in front of the customers! One employee was scooping out a Mandarin fish for herself right in front of me; I should have busted her nuts by asking someone else "Could someone help me? I was looking for a Mandarin fish and can't seem to find them anywhere. I'm willing to pay a little extra..." )
- severely dirty betta cups

 

[Where the river goes]

What I look for in an lfs/lps:

clean tanks, including betta cups
healthy looking fish
no sick bettas in the aquatic plants (Petco really pisses me off)
knowledgable staff
reasonable prices (local fish shops are generally over priced around here, but for special order stuff and hard to find items like Bio Spira it's the way to go)
a good selection of supplies
avoid any place that smells like urine

 

[Bol]

Also another plus to a fish store for me, personally:

At least one tank is marked "On Hold - Medicating" or "On Hold - new arrivals"

 

[Phase2]

I would ask if the people servicing the tanks had one at home......this may be a good indication of there knowledge of the subject......also visit on more than one occasion and get chatting to them....before commiting loads of money .

 

[Cheese Specialist]

I personally like it when the staff ask you what your tank and inhabitants when you tell then what fish you want. Also, I like ones that talk you out of getting fish that are not suited to your set-up.

I found this on a couple of occasions when I was starting up and I really like that they saved me from a few potential disasters. Still didn't try to stop me buying bala sharks though. *sigh* Can't be perfect.

I also like ones that ask for the scientific names (like Trimar) because that way you know exactly what you are getting.

 

[Black Ghost]

One thing I like to look for is medicated fish. If you see tanks being medicated then thats actually a good sign that they are doing something right. I have gone into a lot of stores where I see no fish being medicated and it isn't very realistic to think they are all in perfect health.

 

[christine]

As far as fish I would go with good looking clean aquariums that are not ocercrowded (ie not the Wal Mart way). Make sure they look halthy too...