What to ask LFS before buying from them?

[jiffy]

I was wondering what kind of questions I should ask the LFS before I buy fish from them. I know about looking into making sure the fish are compatible, so that is something I will research before hand, and ask them too.

What other things should I find out though, like return or exchange policy. About how long the fish have been there (what is good amount of time) etc.

 

[Cheese Specialist]

Maybe if they sell dyed or painted fish?

You should see what fish you like and ask some questions, I'd maybe go back home and research on them to make sure they are giving the right advice.

If you find them giving the right advice again and again then you could trust them.

What fish are you thinking of?

HTH

 

[Bol]

"Guarantee" period is a good thing to know. Usually only applies to dead fish, though.

Exchange policy is good to know -- the most common use of this is "the fish got too big for my tank".

How long the fish are there is kind of sketchy, as many LFSs get shipments in regularly, and the fish often get mixed up.

I always ask what water they use (tap, RO, or a mix), and what their tank water parameters are -- so I have an idea of how close they are to my tank's.

However, if you're looking for ways to gauge how "good" a LFS is, then in my opinion, one of the key factors there is not what you ask, but what they ask you.

Every store I would call "good" has always asked me (as a first-time customer) what fish/setup I already have, before offering suggestions about getting new fish.

 

[Tempestuousfury]

You should always make sure your tank can handle more fish, of course, but some stores require a water sample along with dead fish for a refund.

If the fish haven't been at the store for at least 2 weeks and you really want them, the associate would probably save the fish for you. If they don't, then I'd say they aren't very customer friendly and that you should be wary.

 

[jiffy]

I was talking to my Uncle yesterday, and he told me about this real good palce that sells, and I think breeds, fish near his house. I need to get a thermometer and check the prices on a light when I'm there, and of course check the fishies....

Here is what I was planning on getting...

5 or 6 tetras (a mix of glo light and neons)
1 or 2 ottos
1 or 2 ghost shrimp

Then mabey either a gourami or a betta or some barbs?

I want the tank to have fish at all levels, so it gets more of a full look to it, also, color is the key. I like colorful attractive fish!!

 

[Bol]

If you have small tetras, I'd nix the barbs, personally. Unless maybe they're cherry barbs. Barbs may harass the tetras, and in my experience, they seem to be mid-dwellers, just like the neons.

A dwarf gourami would probably tend to stay near the top.

What size tank is it? I'm guessing 10g ?

 

[Inchworm]

Hi jiffy

A recommendation from an experienced fishkeeper is the best way to find a good lfs, so if your uncle has fish you are probably onto a good shop. If they breed any fish there, you are lucky indeed.

As a general rule, a smaller independently owned lfs or a lps is a better bet than a chain store because the owner is a person you can get to know. The employees will usually be fishkeepers themselves and will have firsthand knowledge of fish. It's worthwhile to go there when they're not too busy and get to know them.

Is your tank cycled yet?


BTW, what happened to the frog?

 

[noelberg]

Always check for clean tanks, very low number of dead fish (most lfs's will have the occasional dead fish), well-fed fish (you can ask the lfs to feed the fish), and obvious diseases like Ick and fungus. It also helps that the ppl there have a clue about fish and cycling. One local lfs had algae all through their tanks and idiots working for them - they were worse than Walmart! I also suggest that you not base anything on price and guarantee length: the only fish I have had die were from Petsmart, which has a 14 day return policy; my healthiest fish came from a local lfs and were about $1 more expensive each (with 48 hr return).

Also make sure they know their stuff. Ask about aggressiveness, and they should know that very often tetras and barbs are not good to combine in a community.

 

[jiffy]

Thank you for all the tips! Im definitly going to have a better idea about what to do when I go in now and about not mixing tetras and barbs.
Inchworm - my tank isnt cycled yet. I wanted to wait for my heater to come (it did today), and I didnt find ammonia until yesterday and then I got a medicine dropper from work to use for adding it.

I have noticed that alot of the fishless cycle pages dont give to much detailed informationa bout actually cycling it so I am planning on keeping a log of my fishless cycle. If it goes as planned, and I keep with it, I will try and post it on here, or on a webpage I am setting up, so that people can reference it.