clownfish26
New member
HI would you recommend buying fish online or in lfs and if so what web sites do you use. Also if you use the local fish store what would you recommend when purchasing fish?
buy fish online or lfs?
- Thread starter clownfish26
- Start date
Randall_James
Premium Member
I prefer to buy fish locally for a number of reasons.
Where in MI are you? there are a lot of very good LFS's in MI
Where in MI are you? there are a lot of very good LFS's in MI
clownfish26
New member
I live in Algonac MI
Randall_James
Premium Member
So you are about 30 minutes north of Detroit? (my sister in law from hell lives in Chesterfield)
spoiledcats
New member
I prefer buying locally because I think it's less stress on the animal, but some people don't have reliable local fish stores to buy from and need to shop online. The shipping is outrageous though, so if you have a friend in the hobby and can coordinate your shipments, you will save some money.
scrmbld33
New member
i have only bought at lfs, for one its cheaper(usually), and i like to watch the fish see it eat and my lfs will hold a fish for 2 weeks with a 5$ deposit, and by cheaper i mean my tang 3-4" was 35$ if i bought him online id save a little on price but still pay 35-45$ to ship
guyguerra
Premium Member
It is wise to establish a good relationship with a LFS, you WILL need them down the road. Are there stores near you? If so, I would analyze what you see in each one first. Then I would see how comfortable you are with them, and see if they are caring about your needs. Heres what I would want to see. I want to see a store with a lot of corals. Any store can buy fish, but a store with a lot of corals in stock means they are into the hobby. Then I want to see that when I ask a question, they are happy to give me answers and options. If you find that, then you should tell them that you are into the hobby, and that you want to establish a relationship with them. Tell them you'll buy everything from them if they would be willing to give you prices similar to the ones you see on line. If the store is smart, and sharp, they'll agree. That's the deal I made with my LFS, and we have now become friends. they stop by my house, they've helped me mount lighting, put in complex stuff like ozone, and they are willing to stock things I need. It will make this hobby a lot more fun when you can go hang out at the LFS and enjoy talking about all things aquarium. This is good advice, and I hope it helps. Look in my gallery, all that stuff and knowledge got there from research and help from my LFS. After a while, you'll build up trust, and they'll let you take something home to check out before you buy it, or be much easier on you when you want to return something. Good Luck, Guy
Andrew
Active member
You're taking a chance when you buy online. Most of the time, you don't get to see a picture of the fish that you will be getting. I myself buy fish from the lfs because I get to see the fish I'm buying in person and make sure the fish is at full health and has good coloration.
clownfish26
New member
I am planning on buying online from liveaquaria.com the fish are guaranteed for 14days and the local fish store has no guarantee so the shipping is like insurance.
Oaktonreef
New member
If the same fish is available in you LFS (and they are reputable) then pay the little extra and buy it locally. Good LFS will quarantine and make sure that they are taking food...two things you wont get ordering online.
