Is it a good idea to mail order fish.

[drew55]

Is it a good idea to order fish off the internet or through a mail catalog. I am wondering aobut doing so because I could mail order a Anthias for $20 or I could go to the nearest fish store and spend $65 for the exact same fish. I was wondering if it is worth it to order them through mail because I am woried it might be malnurished or have a diesease. Please tell me if it is a good idea or if I should spend the extra money. Contact Drew at
email: Drewfunfly@earthlink.net
phone: 630-232-2412

 

[FiberLux]

Drew,

I have done both, but in most cases I would rather buy from the LFS so I can see that the fish is healthy and has the coloring I want. This is especially so with Wrasses and other uniquely colored specimens, which can vary greatly in size and color.

 

[anjhof]

i have ordered through liveaquaria.com - several times - I've had excellent results. Their fish always seem to arrive fat and healthy. In the event one of them dies, they guarantee them for 14 days - that is unheard of at LFS.

 

[Evolley1]

I have ordered from Saltwaterfish.com and have had great success.

 

[Ramble On Rose]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6852748#post6852748 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Evolley1
I have ordered from Saltwaterfish.com and have had great success.

Same here. I ordered 3 tangs from there about 2 months ago and all are doing great. I got all three for less then one would have cost locally...

 

[schiavonir]

I agree that buying online from a reputable, well-known website usually works out well from what I've read and my personal experience. You gotta watch out for the shipping. Ordering one fish for $10 and paying $30 for overnight shipping doesn't make much sense. Might as well buy from an LFS.

What usually works well is to go in with several other people on a single order. That way you can split the shipping charge, or maybe even get free shipping.

Good luck.

Roger

 

[LUCKY42032]

The only problem with ordering on line is that your local fish store doesn't get any of the money. If everyone orders online, all of the lfs will go out of business. Where else will we go to get away from our significant others I say spend the extra money and keep your lfs up and running. Just my opinion, doesn't mean much

 

[Ramble On Rose]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6854292#post6854292 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by LUCKY42032
The only problem with ordering on line is that your local fish store doesn't get any of the money. If everyone orders online, all of the lfs will go out of business. Where else will we go to get away from our significant others I say spend the extra money and keep your lfs up and running. Just my opinion, doesn't mean much

If there was a LFS worth saving that might be a good point to me. Personally I would just go to the bar!

Seriously though in my immediate area there isn't even a store I would take fish from except for living sea and I really doubt they need my business to stay open. If I wanted to drive a half hour each way - sure there are some nice stores. But personally I'd much rather just click and have it delivered. Not to mention I bought fish once for my tank and now I'm done...

 

[ostrow]

Living Sea?

 

[Pufferpunk]

What's wrong w/Coral Reef or Ocean Design? I wouldn't buy anything from Living Sea. Ocean Design QTs all their SW fish for 2 weeks, before putting them out for sale. You can bet nothing mail ordered has been QTd. Coral reef is a great LFS w/great prices & cares about their customers. You can even haggle prices w/Jim!

 

[Ramble On Rose]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6855417#post6855417 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Pufferpunk
What's wrong w/Coral Reef or Ocean Design? I wouldn't buy anything from Living Sea. Ocean Design QTs all their SW fish for 2 weeks, before putting them out for sale. You can bet nothing mail ordered has been QTd. Coral reef is a great LFS w/great prices & cares about their customers. You can even haggle prices w/Jim!

Coral Reef is what I was referencing by - "Wouldn't put anything from their store in my tank for free." Sorry I know you shop there, but dead fish in multiple displays and terrible service (I have waited over a half hour and never seen a person let alone been asked for help) have them on my **** list. Not to mention the algae covering everything in their tanks last time I was in there. My parents shop there regularly. They also bring the fish they buy there back dead after a day just as regularly.

I have never been to Ocean Design.

 

[LUCKY42032]

Maybe it's the tank that the fish are being put into that is killing them.

 

[Ramble On Rose]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6855836#post6855836 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by LUCKY42032
Maybe it's the tank that the fish are being put into that is killing them.

An obvious response I knew was coming, but I do not feal the need to get into a discussion on the topic. If you want to shop there - be my guest. I see no reason to attack a family members tank you know nothing about.

I think the fact that they have multiple dead fish in their displays would lend more credit to the fact that there is something wrong at the store.

 

[whiirly]

Man I am glad I live on the south side
Stores are a little cheaper for fish but if your looking for a store to support try rods-reef

 

[AuroraDave]

Drew-I've bought fish from both LFS and mail order.

My preference is definately an LFS because I can see the exact fish that I am purchasing. You can observe it's behavior, see if it looks stressed and confirm that it is eating. You can also ask how long it has been in the store to ensure that it didnt just arrive. Most importantly to me, I can select a fish with good coloration that is healthy. For example, I am only going to put one Flame Angel in my tank, so I may as well select one with great colors. They vary greatly by LFS, not to mention by the location that the LFS got it from (ie Marshall Islands). Same thing with clowns. Are the markings & stripes distinct or blurred?

My LFS lets me put the fish on hold for a few days as well. Some LFS even give some type of guarantee.

For all of these advantages, I am willing to pay a higher price than I would get from the web. The keys are how much higher and which fish are less risky? Some fish just dont ship well.

I have had great success with Live Aquaria and Saltwaterfish.com on somewhere around ten purchases over the years. Sometimes the web prices are just too good to pass up, especially with SWF.com's sales. My Yellow tang cost me $1.99 there and we were just commenting over the weekend how awesome her coloration is...bright yellow. My lawnmower blenny was $4.99 and all of my pep shrimp were bought on the web. Snails ship very well and cost pennies on the dollar compared to the $3+ LFS charge. You will need to pick and choose.

Dont forget that shipping charges on 1 fish are much more expensive than 6. When we order online, we pool our orders between at least 3 people & split the S&H/box charges.

Find a good LFS that you trust and enjoy going to; and give them your business. You wont regret it.

HTH
Dave