LFS vs Online supplier: Least chance of infected fish?

[iamwhatiam52]

Even though I will be putting fish in QT, where is it most likely to get healthy and uninfected fish? Many fish from local suppliers here in NY die in QT after a few days for no apparent reason, or come down with a variety of diseases within a week.
I have never had this happen with a fish from any of the larger online suppliers.

Coincidence, or do the online suppliers handle their specimens better?

 

[bjhubb]

I was wondering the same thing. There are really only two stores where I live to get fish, not counting Petco. I have had some trouble with fish in qt and usually it is unexplained. I am currently trying to keep a six line wrasse alive in qt. I have posted about this situation on the New to the hobby forum.

 

[whowadat]

+1


I have bought fish from local reefers that are doing fine, the fish I have bought at LFS have either died or are sick in the same tank. I have waited two weeks after putting a deposit down on a fish and watched it eat only to have it struggle later, I'm beginning to lose all confidence in a LFS - the last time the guy suggested I buy "Metronidazole" as an insurance policy. I imagine they are at the mercy of not so healthy capture and shipping methods but the least we can do is call the kettle black instead of claiming fish deaths and sickness are the result of poor husbandry practices or inexperienced keepers. (although those reasons are real and often seen)

Granted there are any number of possibilities why a fish could die in a person's tank after purchasing what appears to be a healthy fish. But I have seen WAY too many - imho - dead or dieing fish in a LFS. We've got plenty of good info around here where a person may be criticized for not following accepted practices and/or putting fish at risk. But I see other LFSs killing fish right and left without so much a blink of an eye and in my cynical point of view just looking to do whatever is necessary to just keep a fish alive long enough for someone to buy it - and then not want to make it right via a credit or something.

Off my box....

 

[Nanook]

Many LFS do not acclimate properly. I have seen stores take several bags of fish and place them in a trash can, sometimes up to 50 fish or more all with different bags of water....whatever disease one of them fish had the rest are certainly at risk of getting.

I think DFS and Blue Zoo do a great job at selling healthy fish and with their guarantee, I find it difficult to buy from a LFS. I bought $600+ worth of Anthia's from a LFS about a year ago and they all died within a couple days. The owner said he lost most of the fish from that shipment and he could do nothing for me....that was a big wake up call. Nowadays, I usually order fish online or buy from friends that know what they are doing.

 

[unleashed13]

I use saltwaterfish.com I have yet to get an actual sick fish from them yet they do have a 14 day guarantee unlike LFS.. also if you join the mailing list they send you weekly special listing which give great discount pricing on various fish corals and supplies

 

[bbl_nk]

If you can trust your LFS and know the fish is in the store for a while before out on the floor for sale, buying local is great but most places have an as-is no refund policy on saltwater.

You really can't beat the DFS, Saltwaterfish.com and Blue Zoo for their guarantees. Shipping sucks but if you can get a group buy or a large enough order the extra guarantee is worth it.

 

[unleashed13]

saltwaterfish.com charges 20 bucks for shipping minimum order is 34.99 for live stock they also send at times a free gift when a purchase is over 100. for repete buyers

 

[limitdown]

I buy my fish 1/2 online and 1/2 at LFS's. I have seen no difference in disease rates
One thing great about buying at an LFS is that I can make sure the fish is eating. The amount of travel time from the LFS to my house is only like 10min, so the fish are under much less stress and have better survival rates.
Starting a year ago, I prophylacticly treat every single incoming fish with Cupramine and Prazi-Pro. I don't take chances anymore because I have thousands of dollars worth of fish in my display tank. 2yrs ago I had a massive outbreak of velvet that killed off $1,500+ of fish, I almost decided to sell everything and completely give up on the hobby. I really don't want/need that kind of psychological/financial damage again.....

 

[lesleybird]

One fish store that I buy from has lots of ich and other things evey time I look at their systems....they have each row with the same water so if I see disease in one bank of tanks I do not buy any fish from that section which leaves me not buying many fish from this store. This store does a lot of volume so there are hundreds of fish in each system at one time. They tend to get a lot of sick fish in so they may not have a good supplier.

My favorite fish store (another store), actually told me that they run copper sulfate in one of their main sections of saltwater fish and most of the new ones go into this. They don't do a really big volume but have a really good direct supplier over in China or something and they speak the language so they can talk to the dealer and get good fish. They import directy from overseas and go to the airport to pick up the fish. I rarely see much disease in their tanks. Most fish do not stay in the store long enough for the copper to be a problem for the fish.

With saltwater fish it is hit or miss, online or at the store. I like the store or the Diver's Den on live aquaria on line as you can get an idea of what the actual fish is like. If you have a good local store then great.....I tend to have to shop on line mainly for rare fish that my local store may rarely or never get in stock. Always quarentine your fish and even treat them with copper at the correct levels in the tank before adding to your display. Lesley

 

[kb27973]

A plug for NYAquatics. He may not have the selection of some of the bigger stores but what he does have will be healthy for sure. My Regal came to me eating.

Ken