Is Sixth Ave a good place to buy fishes?

Just make sure you quarantine all your fishes. Some of my fishes were bought from there and I still have them now, but I was extra careful to try and select healthy ones and then I quarantined them for a couple of months.
 
IMO, I would say stay away from 6th avenue, they have the mindset to run it like a traditional Chinese fish store, their sunday bag lots (regardless of the prices) are atrocious with people picking bags up and throwing them back on the floor all in the all might quest to save a buck. Do they have unique items? Sure, but that isn't necessarily a good thing. Other stores that you can get a report can usually order you a specific fish that you are looking for.

There are other stores in SF that have a good variety of fish too, Lucky Ocean isn't too far 6th Avenue, if you have auto-access Ocean Treasure's on Dubose has a good selection of stuff, Aquatic Central on Ocean Avenue isn't too shabby either.

Either way, the only good thing about 6th Avenue is that they keep the other stores competitively low, at least Lucky Ocean because it's so close, the other stores aren't outrageously high either in prices (except if you want the high end corals.)
 
My brother gave me a hippo and a yellow tang purchased from 6th Ave. some 5 years ago and both are still alive today. I've never been to that store but I hear the prices are good if you come on a sunday morning.

See if the cheap price offsets the risk and decide for yourself.

I think my brother got both tangs for under $25.
 
I don't care where you buy your fish from, they all carry the risk of disease especially ick. You have to remember , ALL fish stores are in the business to sell fish and fishes come and go. Some stores will quaranteen the fish, some stores don't. In many ways buying fish is like having sex with a girl with no condom (doesn't matter which store or price you pay.) Unless your buying your fish from someone elses tank, or from the stores display tank where the fish has been there for more then 6 months, or fishes that are in tanks with corals and show no symptoms of disease and are fat and eating, you are running risk of disease. Personally I stopped buying fishes from stores. I buy from reefers that are taking tanks down and had their fishes for years.

The last time I bought a fish, it was a pain in the butt to setup a quaranteen tank for 1 month then when I added the fish to the main tank it developed ick one month later and I had to take all the fishes out of the main tank to quaranteen all the fishes. Buying fishes from stores just ain't worth it in stable tank..

So back to your question, buying from 6th is no different from any other store in this respect. I once bought a sail fin tang at 6th. I've seen that tank for several months cuz no one else wanted him (too ugly?).. So I bought him and he's lived a good long life (must be a tough fish cuz it survived living there!)
 
what andy said it's true.they're got from same source.somepeoples buy use tank and sand from fellow reefer and have ich and don't even know it.some of the rare species can be have at 6th ave. where the wholesale can't even match.gl


lapsan
 
ah, had some die on me in the bag by the time I got home... I wasn't going to drive all the way to SF from Dalycity or so just to return a fish that I will get haggled for....

Always had all fish that I got there die on me with in a few weeks... gills turn blackish brown, don't eat very skittish.. some say clues of cyanide caught.. hm....

but if you do.. then make sure its the best looking one of the bunch and make sure you quarantine it for a min. of 6 weeks..

or Buyer beware
 
When buying any fish make sure you select a healthy fish. Also make sure its eating at the store. If eats at the store chances of surving increase its survival when its in your tank.
 
Most fish die on me too when I bought them there but 1 maroon did make it til now for 2 yrs. Last time I was there was 2 yrs ago but maybe the store has change now but I think having people catch their own fish is a bit too much. Anyone hand (w/lotion, oil, grease,ect) can just put in there and get the poor fish. I saw this kid was try to put his hand in to touch nemo and the other hand was holding a piece of chinese fried chicken..of course his father was helping him to reach to the tank. Obviously some of the fish are strong enough to go on living based on some posts here. Maybe the store have change about getting your own fish now...does it?
 
I had good experience with them, you just need to know how to choose. and in doubt, don't buy it, coz you will lose it. you are paying the price of a civic for a ferrari, do you expect it's gonna run perfect? most of the livestock there need a lot of TLC, but for the price, you are not gonna lose an arm or a leg even if they don't make it. once in a while, they do have rare and unique species that you only find in a public aquariums. so it's really worth the money and the trip to see if you can score.

always look for the sign: chewed up fin, shortness of breath, colored dots on the skin, are they active, etc. also add a little luck in there too. again always quarantine and remember, you get what you pay for. good luck
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9539727#post9539727 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by smellyfish
Buying fish there is like picking up a woman and having sex with her without a condom.
Click to expand...

In other words, you leave with a bruised ego and no fish? :p

V
 
all these people comments are some what true. i agree with kttsf and somewhat andyman. they really shouldnt allow people to touch the fish or self serve. I think they are lazy about doing the work. I saw some kids pick up goldfish or feeders with their hands from the tank and dump in the saltwater section. I guess trying to feed them? Yu dont know what customers do to the fish. and there is ALWAYS that risk when you buy a new fish.

but what i heard about them is that the wholesalers they get it from they probably do buy it bulk thats why it is so cheap, but i also heard that they catch their fish using chemicals put in the water to make the fish float to the surface so it is easier to catch. i also seen them dump the fish in the tank. they dont acclimate i think.

personally i dont buy fish from them unless it looks extremely heathly. but yes dry goods there are quite a good deal.
 
Also check out Fish, Fish and More Fish on Lombard. The guys who own the place are good guys and are very knowledgeable and caring.
 
I guess they're knowledgable. I asked them what takes care of cynobacteria and they said the queen conches i bought takes of them which appartently they don't. They are caring for customers who have money. They dont like cheap customers cause they say they are a "high end" store. Dont get me wrong they are, but I think they should treat all their customers with respect. Other than that its a nice place. This is my opinion.
 
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