MaddieLynn

I've been meaning to post this for a few days now, but forgot about it until I saw someone else's thread praising their Petsmart.

I went to Petsmart to return an API test kit I got for my b-day (I had a practically new one just like it already). The cashier was SUPER nice, and talked all about her tanks! Then I went to look for some de-wormer for my puffies, but they didn't have what I wanted, so the worker suggested I look for it online. (+1 for not trying to make me buy the wrong thing from THAT particular store.)

Then I asked about bristlenose plecos, and when they said they didn't have any, I asked about other small algae eaters, and they said they had ottos, but the same worker told me "But Your puffers will kill those, so you shouldn't get them". (+1 for actually caring about their fish and not just trying to make a quick sale). I told her it was for my community tank and ended up looking at a rubberlip pleco.

I noticed that the lable said "Up to 10", and I knew that rubberlips only get to 6" or so, but I was pleased when the worker (a different one this time) said, "You know these get to 10", right? What size tank do you have?". (+1) I told him, and then he made me list all of the other fish I had in there. (+1 again)

And here's the real grand finale: They had some of their bettas in 5-10 gallon tanks with peaceful fish like Neons or corys. (+1763000!!!)

I saw a coal black betta that I wanted soooo bad, but I don't have room for another betta or a tank for one. WAAAAAHHHH.

Yes, I was referring to Petsmart when I said those good things.

Just a little FYI.

Minnow

Wow, that's amazing! That's even better than my petsmart, which is infinitely better than the petco I used to shop at. My petsmart has super clean tanks and a wide variety of healthy fish and plants, but I wouldn't go to them for advice.

And what are you talking about? There's always for another betta tank. Go on, buy him, you know you want to!

MaddieLynn

Nooo... must not get another tank... someone tie me down!

Seriously, I can't get him.

FL CommunityFans

The Petsmart here in Pensacola has bettas in the little cups still but as space permits, they put them in the 5/10 gallon tanks with other community/peaceful fish such as plecos/corys/non aggressive schoolers.

Amanda

My Wal-Mart put bettas in the tanks with other fish, want me to describe what they look like? No? I bet your imagination can put together a pretty good pic.
My Petsmart puts all the females in a tank together, once again want me to paint a picture? Not pretty to say the least.
I have a friend who works there, she keeps telling me not to buy from there at all.

MaddieLynn

@ Amanda: All of the bettas looked great, I didn't see any issues with them.

Amanda

I just don't like that it makes people assume that bettas can be housed with other fish. While yes, this sometimes works, I wouldn't consider it an adventure for the newbie fish owner.

FL CommunityFans

They aren't putting more than 1 betta in with these fish. It's 1 betta per tank and it's with fish I would house with bettas if I were to ever try doing the betta experience again (which I doubt I ever will). The bettas in these more community type tanks they had setups looked far better than the ones in cups and what bettas should look like as opposed to the two horrendously cared for bettas I purchased a few months back

hoosier_badgirl

Was this the PetSmart in Mishawaka Indiana? I work there in fish dept. & this sound's familiar.

summersquash

The Petsmart I use when I go into the city is much better than the Petco. It is clean and ususally the employees are helpfull. The Petco is terrible. There tanks are so dirty and cloudy. Fish are floating or laying dead at the bottom. There is no way I would buy a fish for there. Our local Walmart is a lot better than Petco. The Petco even smells bad. I think it is from the reptile cages that are close to the fish tanks.

Fishies-for-me

The petsmart in my town is not the greatest to get betta nor is the walmart...they both have dirty little cold cups that have poor looking betta with walmarts being filled with dead and dying betta. The petco I go to always has betta in the bigger cups...not the real tiny ones and they are always crystal clear and the fish look good. They are prob still cold tho as they are just on a rack in the aisle. The fish in the tanks however look better at petsmart and the birds ( I know ..I know this is not a bird site but we are rating the store here...lol) are MUCH better at the petco .

Indian_villager

I purchased 3 zebra dandios from the local one recently...the last three in stock. One died on the 8min ride home....the other died while I floated the bag in the tank....the third one seems to be doing great.....I think he is breathing a little fast though.