Never go to petco!!! Pictures!

[dwolson2]

Just thought I would chime in, OUr local Petco is pretty rough, but I talked to a friend who was offered a job there. He said that they aren't really trained in proper SW mainenance/husbandry. I talked about getting a part time job there, just so I can implement some automation and try to help them fix their issues. I don't really blame them, if they were never taught, its not their fault, thats a problem with upper management not informing headquarters that they need training.

 

[Saltydrip]

I have 2 Petcos neer me. One is horrible but the other is immaculate with fish in great health. It's such a shame they can't all hire someone who cares about fish.

 

[criticalencore]

Anyone miss the flame angel in a 29 gallon tank? I hate to pile on, but you need to check your house for glass before you throw stones

And that its a reef and a flame angel isn't exactly reef safe

 

[Timber77]

I have flame angles in my reef, no issues.

The local petco's around me are awful, but have been to a few that were not bad. I picked up a nice angel fish after being told it was a cheap green chromis but the kid working there. As with the previous posters I QT my purchases, get them eating well and then put in the DT.

 

[Mark9]

My Petco has a 15 day guarantee on SW fish.
Have never used it.
Bought 6 fish from there, had 1 death, but it was my fault.
Had the fish in the sump.
He jumped into the return portion as the screen wasn't fine enough, got stuck to the pump
You can't paint all Petco's with one brush.

 

[jimmy n]

And that its a reef and a flame angel isn't exactly reef safe

Wasn't the flame (I have one and love it), but 29 gallons is far too small for one. They are very hit or miss in a reef, I have a perfect citizen going on a year now. I'll keep you updated.

 

[Guatney]

seeing dead fish at a fish store is unavoidable. even my favorite LFS have a dead fish here and there.

 

[firebirdude]

As with just about any big box store of any major retailer of any type of good, your result WILL vary. It's always completely dependent on many variables and usually highly dependent on the staff in your particular location. Sometimes you get staff that are also hobbyists and love their job. They are educated FAR beyond the average shopper and enjoy the daily duties of the position. And sometimes you get the 19 year old who just got back from smokin a doober on his lunch break.

Point being, it's your responsibility to be educated enough to make your own decisions and cover your own back. We have some users who get gold from their local Petco and have terrible LFSs. And we have others with similar stories as you. In the end, be smart enough to know what you're getting into, regardless of where you're getting it from.

 

[Khemul]

I see the same thing at All Fish and All pets every time I go in to see if things have changed and the never do.

AllFish started using a quarantine system (which appears to simply be an observation setup) for a while. They now have less dead fish, and a whole lot of starved fish (especially the pod-eaters).