ACBlinky
Premium Member
I think it's nice to post and tell everyone!
There's only one store in my city that sells SW fish - they specialize in fish and reptiles, while every other store in town that carries fish is really a pet store. They're not perfect - their corals aren't usually very healthy looking, many of their prices are VERY high compared to LFSs in Toronto, but they do one thing spectacularly. Their SW fish are the healthiest, fattest, happiest LFS fish I've ever seen. I've never seen a sick SW fish there, never a torn fin, never a sunken belly - it's quite impressive.
My hubby took me there today to get me a Christmas present - he knows you can't buy someone a living animal for their reef without them being there - and as I looked over the stock I was very pleased with what I saw. I wanted a flame angel, but the one they had was a bit out of our budget at $139.99. Then I noticed a beautiful little coral beauty in another tank - they're not my favourite dwarf angel, but this guy was nicely proportioned (rounder than some), beautifully coloured, and he had personality plus. He was a cheeky little guy, sneaking up on the other fish and taking playful dives at them (no harm done though, he really seemed to be playing), grazing the substrate, watching me through the glass - it's this fearless nature that I adore in dwarf angels.
On the spot I decided to take him home, he was too cute to leave behind. When I asked someone to catch him, the first thing the employee told me was that he was a reptile specialist, so he would go get someone else if I needed questions answered, or if I needed advice on whether the fish would work for me. Two points! Most stores will just sell you anything, they actually wanted to make sure it was going to a suitable home. He caught the fish quickly and gently, which was a nice change from some LFSs where they chase the fish with a tiny net until it's exhausted.
I asked the manager about their QT/treatment procedures, and he told me all about how their fish are selected by hand, and only those that eat at the wholesaler's are chosen. They're treated with copper and formalin, and stay in the store 8 weeks or more before being sold. Nice! Disease-free, happily eating, settled, rested fish. I was happy to pay $10 more than a Toronto LFS would charge, to get a virtually perfect purchase.
Last time I was at this store, I had a bit of a sour experience with the manager, but he's definitely redeemed himself. Just thought I'd give a decent LFS review where it's warranted, since they're always getting bashed
There's only one store in my city that sells SW fish - they specialize in fish and reptiles, while every other store in town that carries fish is really a pet store. They're not perfect - their corals aren't usually very healthy looking, many of their prices are VERY high compared to LFSs in Toronto, but they do one thing spectacularly. Their SW fish are the healthiest, fattest, happiest LFS fish I've ever seen. I've never seen a sick SW fish there, never a torn fin, never a sunken belly - it's quite impressive.
My hubby took me there today to get me a Christmas present - he knows you can't buy someone a living animal for their reef without them being there - and as I looked over the stock I was very pleased with what I saw. I wanted a flame angel, but the one they had was a bit out of our budget at $139.99. Then I noticed a beautiful little coral beauty in another tank - they're not my favourite dwarf angel, but this guy was nicely proportioned (rounder than some), beautifully coloured, and he had personality plus. He was a cheeky little guy, sneaking up on the other fish and taking playful dives at them (no harm done though, he really seemed to be playing), grazing the substrate, watching me through the glass - it's this fearless nature that I adore in dwarf angels.
On the spot I decided to take him home, he was too cute to leave behind. When I asked someone to catch him, the first thing the employee told me was that he was a reptile specialist, so he would go get someone else if I needed questions answered, or if I needed advice on whether the fish would work for me. Two points! Most stores will just sell you anything, they actually wanted to make sure it was going to a suitable home. He caught the fish quickly and gently, which was a nice change from some LFSs where they chase the fish with a tiny net until it's exhausted.
I asked the manager about their QT/treatment procedures, and he told me all about how their fish are selected by hand, and only those that eat at the wholesaler's are chosen. They're treated with copper and formalin, and stay in the store 8 weeks or more before being sold. Nice! Disease-free, happily eating, settled, rested fish. I was happy to pay $10 more than a Toronto LFS would charge, to get a virtually perfect purchase.
Last time I was at this store, I had a bit of a sour experience with the manager, but he's definitely redeemed himself. Just thought I'd give a decent LFS review where it's warranted, since they're always getting bashed
