Where to buy quality fish?

[sporkman]

Hi all,

So my state is in lockdown, and non-essential businesses are closed and I have a tank I bought months ago and I think I finally have it almost ready for fish (https://www.fishforums.net/threads/next-steps-tank-is-waiting.456620/). It does appear that general pet stores are considered "essential businesses" so they are open, although some are only doing curbside pickup.

Before this pandemic, my question was really just going to be about where to go besides chain stores to get quality/healthy fish. I found I have one local shop (https://www.yelp.com/biz/elys-tropical-fish-florham-park) but they don't seem to be open, and some of the reviews indicate the guy now running it just can't keep up (the story about throwing a dead fish out the back door in front of a customer... ).

So I think that leaves Petco, PetSmart and Pet Supplies Plus. For my dogs, I go to Pet Supplies Plus - new store, nice staff, one kid deals with the parakeets and they are obviously well cared for and happy, and when I come in near closing time, the kid usually has one or two parakeets on his shoulders while sweeping. The fish tanks look incredibly clean. There are only maybe a dozen tanks (a rack of 4 was taken out by a car accident - car went partially through the wall taking out all the plant tanks), and they use some kind of central filtration system. I've not seen any dead fish, but I also don't know what to look for as far as disease or behavior that might indicate stressed or ill fish.

Any thoughts on these options? I'm in NJ, near Morristown.

 

[FishGuest5123]

I have sworn off of Pet Smart unless you are looking for a sick betta to rescue. Petco has been a better experience for me. I have bought many of my tropical fish there with no issues. For bettas, I swear by MoMo’s Bettas. Stunning, healthy, and fast shipping.

 

[Retired Viking]

Comparing the two, Petco has been a better experience for me when buying fish over Pet Smart. Pet Smart has more things like tanks to choose from. I prefer to buy my fish and plants from a LFS.

 

[utahfish]

Ive never had any issues with PetSmart, just do your research because just like most fish stores most employees have no idea what they are talking about. Petsmart is usually clean but they dont have much variety and they keep all their fish in the same PH GH and KH so make sure that if your home water is different then their tank water you take the time to acclimate them. One can also ask on line retailers their tank water parameters.

 

[sporkman]

Interesting responses, thanks! I kind of thought that the consensus might be that chain store fish are just bad news, but I guess the "small local fish store" doesn't really exist for most people...

 

[Retired Viking]

Interesting responses, thanks! I kind of thought that the consensus might be that chain store fish are just bad news, but I guess the "small local fish store" doesn't really exist for most people...

Your right, there are few left. We have only one LFS in the area, use to have several with in an hour and 1/2 drive.

 

[JuiceBox52]

Petco has always been best for me. Petsmart sucks lol. At least my one does

 

[Jan Cavalieri]

How about purchasing fish online? Liveaquaria.com is where I've purchased most of my fish. Yes, a few have died, but more have died from Petco and PetSmart and they don't have the variety that the online stores have. The downside is the cost of shipping. They ship one day a week and it's overnight shipping which means the cost just for shipping can run anywhere between $27 and $40. But since your tank is "just ready" I assume you mean that it's cycled, that may mean you only have a minimal amount of good bacteria and if you purchase too many fish at once (to save money on shipping) you may find some deaths because you don't have ENOUGH of good bacteria, just the minimal amount. When you purchase your fish also purchase Tetra Safe Start and add some daily - this is a product that contains the good bacteria and will build up the amount to accommodate a large number of new fish. Use it daily at first, then with every weekly water change and you shouldn't have any deaths. They have some awesome fish and they list the parameters so you can compare them to the water parameters to your tank. If you can, think about purchasing 2-4 Dojos - these loaches have got to be the most entertaining fish and very hardy. Also get air bubblers because they love fast moving water. They actually "play" in it and take turns flying up the bubble stream. Half the time they look dead and contorted only to give them a poke and off they go. They do so much exercise they just get tired and need to sleep. I have yet to have one get sick or die. Absolutely the most comical fish I've ever seen. You can get other fish not available in local fish stores, and they give you information about special needs, the KH values needed, the PH and the tank size (I have mine in a 29 gallon tank when a 55 is recommended and they are not one bit crowded. There are other loaches that are also quite comical but nothing like the Dojo. There are also the standard fish store fish at the same price as the fish store. Do NOT be tempted to purchase exotic expensive fish until you are sure your bacteria level are high enough to sustain them or you may risk killing them, although I purchased a Blue Phantom for $130 and he is going strong so far about 1/2 the size of his expected total growth. The advantage is there is no risk of you catching the Corono virus plus you have a HUGE selection. Besides the Dojo's there are Lemon Bristlenose - shy but very hardy and cool looking. I have just a few left of my Petco fish that are still alive but nearly all of my LiveAquaria fish are still living. When they ship they also take the weather into account and ship in syrofoam coolers with either a heating pad or a cooling pad depending on the weather in your area. I've had only one arrive dead and sent them a picture and was credited for my next order - not the best deal unless you plan on buying more fish but better than nothing and you don't have to provide water samples etc. I've talked to them on the phone for advice several time with virtually no hold time. Very helpful. These folks also breed a number of their own fish. They also sell some wonderful plants - I've gotten a few snails from online sellers but nothing like the last plants I purchased locally that had roundworms (lucky they are easy to get rid of and only affect the water, not the fish - but still upsetting). I believe LiveAquaria owns Dr's Foster's Smith. There is also Arizona Gardens that started as primarily a aquatic plant seller but now sell and breed fish.

Best of luck just DO NOT overstock with your first purchases - take it easy and add the extra bacteria from Tetra Safe Start plus and your fish will survive. Also plan on doing a 75% weekly water change if you want to see your fish. The stats may be OK but they could be overrun by algae or other organisms and you won't be able to see your fish. I think the fish enjoy seeing out of the tank as well. Some say that's too much water change and it is a LOT of work but it's kept my fish alive and the tanks beautiful. If you overfeed like I tend to do sometimes, do make sure to vacuum out the bottom of the tank the next day - just 4-5 gallons worth of water containing the spoiling food - otherwise you'll have a nasty smell on your hands. Then on your regular water change day it will make your life a lot easier.

 

[Jan Cavalieri]

Also forgot to mention - if you are doing a community tank of mixed fishes check their aggressiveness level. There are some beautiful Cichlids but if you check they are semi-aggressive to very aggressive. Never put them in a tank with Peaceful fish - in fact I think the entire tank should have the single species to minimize the trouble. I personally HATE aggressive fish so all of my fish except one tank are all peaceful fish. My one tank has semi-aggressive large Gourami's and a Cichlid - long story but a store owner told me the cichlid was a Gourami and the online fish dealers twice sent me the wrong fish - didn't want the fish back but sent me the correct ones. The mistake ones were all semi aggressive so they all hang with the cichlid and all are LARGE - I have 6 and that's too many for a 29 gallon tank and I'm tired of the fighting (no deaths no injuries - it's just annoying). I've advertised everywhere for "Free fish" but haven't received a single reply. Plus one pair just had babies (3 dotted gourami's) so that means 3 more fish I don't have room for. Even at their small size they are picking on each other. Healthy as hell of course, glad the other 50-100 got eaten before we saw them. In hindsight I should have let these be consumed or euthanized, the last thing I need is more semi-aggressive fish.

So with most community tanks ALL your fish should be rated "peaceful" that will make your life and theirs so much less stressful.

 

[utahfish]

Interesting responses, thanks! I kind of thought that the consensus might be that chain store fish are just bad news, but I guess the "small local fish store" doesn't really exist for most people...

My small local fish store is awful, the tanks are dirty over run with algae fish with ich, its just a sad excuse for a fish store, but most people i guess dont know any better cuz when ever i go there hoping it somehow changed theres always people there.

 

[utahfish]

Some LFS will also order fish for you if you ask just depends on the owner.

 

[FishGuest5123]

My PetSmart tanks are dirty. They don’t even bother to clean the front glass! Petco is always clean.

 

[Retired Viking]

My PetSmart tanks are dirty. They don’t even bother to clean the front glass! Petco is always clean.

That was my experience as well, Petco is cleaner

 

[JuiceBox52]

That was my experience as well, Petco is cleaner

Same here

 

[Back in the fold]

With all that's going on you might not get any fish for awhile but when you do get fish PLEASE patronize your local hometown locally owned pet shop or fish shop. Build a relationship with them. Get to know them. More often than not they will special order you something if they don't have what you want. Finally, give them your excess fry you raise. Be their friend. You won't regret it.