1st time LiveAquaria order, kinda sad...

[SouthFla]

Well I gave it a shot I was in the process of checking out through Divers Den with a beautiful WYSIWYG 2" Kole Tang in my basket, and when I went to put in my CC info all of a sudden my cart showed "empty." I guess I wasn't fast enough and someone completed the transaction before me *sigh*

So I went to LiveAquaria's section and saw that they had a small Kole. I ordered it and got it Weds. Her stomach is severely pinched and clearly she hasn't eaten in a long time, I can see some of the spine tips on the dorsal and caudal fins, and she has been neurotically and incessantly grinding her face back and forth against the glass in the QT for 36 hours :sad2: You know when you observe a fish and just *know* it's doomed???

It goes without saying that she has shown zero interest in nori/brine/flake/pellets/frozen...While I guess *anything's* possible and she could settle down and start eating and adjust, it just feels from the get-go that the fish never had a fair shot :-(

While I'll continue to provide her with a stress-free environment (as much as one can), pristine water conditions and an assortment of food until/if/when the fat-lady sings, I just feel more than a little sad and angry, and a little cheated at not having a better chance to welcome her into my DT...

Fingers crossed for a remarkable turn-around...

 

[Dkuhlmann]

Make sure you let them know. I got my first shipment of fish from LA last week and my Royal Gramma was barely an inch long and looked starved to death. It was almost dead when I got it the next day after ordering it. Well it didn't make it so they will be sending me a replacement next Wednesday when the 14 day guarantee is up. They will also be sending me a larger one as what I ordered was med and should have been larger than it was. They do make good on their fish and are a fantastic company. It's a shame for the individual fish but can't change that, they at lease will make good on it.

 

[heathlindner25]

I refuse to buy livestock online,....I usually like to observe the fish at the local fish store for a few months if possible before buying. Personally I just have to see the animals before I buy it, with my own eyes.

 

[Bent]

Email them and send them pics. If the animal dies they will give u credit.

 

[AUFishGuy]

I refuse to buy livestock online,....I usually like to observe the fish at the local fish store for a few months if possible before buying. Personally I just have to see the animals before I buy it, with my own eyes.

Your LFS will have a fish for a few months?

 

[BryanS4]

Your LFS will have a fish for a few months?

Haha, that was first thought I had as well. No fish store around my area has fish for months at a time.

I've never had any problems with LA, hopefully they fix your problem.

 

[mitchrapp]

My lfs has no guarantee. At least online you get a 14-day guarantee.

 

[Dkuhlmann]

Email them and send them pics. If the animal dies they will give u credit.

You have your choice between credit or they ship you a new one at their expense

 

[Buzz1329]

I refuse to buy livestock online,....I usually like to observe the fish at the local fish store for a few months if possible before buying. Personally I just have to see the animals before I buy it, with my own eyes.

I am now with you. Order of live fish I received today from a well respected live fish website left a LOT to be desired.

One of three Bangai Cardinalfish was DOA. The two fish that prompted my order did not arrive and were not even listed as backordered on packing slip. I was particularly peeved about this because I ordered (and received yesterday) live blackworms and pods to acclimate one of the missing fish, a Copperband Butterfly).

I called and was told they were out of stock and would be shipped at no additional charge when they came in. A few hours later, I got a call saying that they were in stock and would be shipped for delivery tomorrow. Grrr.

So apparently, they just neglected to include the fish with my order.

Next time I'm in the market for a fish, I'll make the rounds of the not so local places. I've got 3 pretty decent LFSs within an hour's drive. And there's much to be said about observing fish in tank for potential problems, making sure it's eating, etc.


Mike

 

[Pet Detective]

Try feeding live brine shrimp, there hasn't been a fish that I have brought back from the brink, that wouldn't eat live brine, that is your best shot. Good luck.

 

[heathlindner25]

Your LFS will have a fish for a few months?

Yes...I watched a leopard wrasse for 2 months before I bought him, did not quarantine and he is doing great after a year.
it's a really great store

 

[BrianKC]

I've had a lot of luck with LA. If you let them know your fish / coral arrived in rough shape, they usually make it right. I don't have a lot of options on the LFS front in Kansas City, so the Internet is my only real way of getting a nice variety of livestock.

 

[Lucky Lefty]

I am now with you. Order of live fish I received today from a well respected live fish website left a LOT to be desired.

One of three Bangai Cardinalfish was DOA. The two fish that prompted my order did not arrive and were not even listed as backordered on packing slip. I was particularly peeved about this because I ordered (and received yesterday) live blackworms and pods to acclimate one of the missing fish, a Copperband Butterfly).

I called and was told they were out of stock and would be shipped at no additional charge when they came in. A few hours later, I got a call saying that they were in stock and would be shipped for delivery tomorrow. Grrr.

So apparently, they just neglected to include the fish with my order.

Next time I'm in the market for a fish, I'll make the rounds of the not so local places. I've got 3 pretty decent LFSs within an hour's drive. And there's much to be said about observing fish in tank for potential problems, making sure it's eating, etc.


Mike

Copperband butterfly is one fish I would be very nervous about ordering online.
I've observed many in the lfs, and have found less than a few to be healthy, eating specimens.
Good luck.

 

[Coelli]

Your LFS will have a fish for a few months?

I bought a gold assessor that was swimming upside down at my LFS for at least 6 months. I think everyone thought he had a swim bladder problem or something. As soon as I put him in my tank he righted himself. I was a little sad.

 

[rffanat1c]

I've heard they swim all goofy all the time. But OP, that stinks. I've haven't ordered simply because the cost of shipping.

 

[reefbroao]

I have had fish in my cart but never followed through. I like to see the fish in store as well at least 2-3 visits before I normally buy them, and I've always had healthy fish *knock on wood*. I'm not a super hippy but I do think that is really quite sad. That fish's end to life being extremely stressful, packed into a blacked out box for a day or so, to be so traumatized and emaciated that it dies, let alone the time spent most likely sitting around waiting to ship out.

and you know there's someone along the line that threw that box or was rough. poor little guys don't know whats going on.

also coelli Assessors love to swim upside down mainly because they will naturally perch on the underside of caves to avoid predators thus being upside down. A little fun fact. They love it and its hilarious to watch

 

[dkeller_nc]

There's been quite a few posts about issues with L.A. since they were bought out by Petco, unfortunately.

But since you're location in your signature says Miami, I'd think there'd be a lot of really good LFSs to choose from, and buying livestock from an LFS is always preferable to a 'net dealer, IMO.

 

[TangingOut]

There's been quite a few posts about issues with L.A. since they were bought out by Petco, unfortunately.

But since you're location in your signature says Miami, I'd think there'd be a lot of really good LFSs to choose from, and buying livestock from an LFS is always preferable to a 'net dealer, IMO.

I was thinking the same thing about his location. That's LFS mecca isn't it?

Also , LFS' in my area are kinda weird. Some go through livestock like crazy, while others I see the same fishes for months on end and it doesn't correlate to the quality of the store either, but I figure it has something to do with stocking unpopular fishes.

 

[Mark426]

There's been quite a few posts about issues with L.A. since they were bought out by Petco, unfortunately.

I have been buying from LA/DD for over 10 years with nothing more than minor problem or two. Somehow, it does seem they are just not the same in the last year or so. Coincidence? Just a run of problem posts? Have I become more picky with what I have received?

 

[tattoosandfrags]

Well I gave it a shot I was in the process of checking out through Divers Den with a beautiful WYSIWYG 2" Kole Tang in my basket, and when I went to put in my CC info all of a sudden my cart showed "empty." I guess I wasn't fast enough and someone completed the transaction before me *sigh*

So I went to LiveAquaria's section and saw that they had a small Kole. I ordered it and got it Weds. Her stomach is severely pinched and clearly she hasn't eaten in a long time, I can see some of the spine tips on the dorsal and caudal fins, and she has been neurotically and incessantly grinding her face back and forth against the glass in the QT for 36 hours :sad2: You know when you observe a fish and just *know* it's doomed???

It goes without saying that she has shown zero interest in nori/brine/flake/pellets/frozen...While I guess *anything's* possible and she could settle down and start eating and adjust, it just feels from the get-go that the fish never had a fair shot :-(

While I'll continue to provide her with a stress-free environment (as much as one can), pristine water conditions and an assortment of food until/if/when the fat-lady sings, I just feel more than a little sad and angry, and a little cheated at not having a better chance to welcome her into my DT...

Fingers crossed for a remarkable turn-around...

Let me ask you a question what made you go online to get a kole tang when you live im miami im sure theres more then enought lfs between me and you to get one. I see them all the time in the pet store myself only thing i would consider buying online is some aussie dendros from bsa corals since they are illegal to collect for the past few years so nobody has them.