Decent price for rams?

I called my LFS a few nights ago and figured out they can order fish online. Ever since my ram died I've been looking into getting a pair or two when I upgrade. They said the rams would cost 12.99 each. I'm not sure if they can get different sexes, I forgot to ask where they order fish from. Is it a decent price? Now that I know my LFS can order fish, I might be able to get really cool stuff... lately I've been interested in getting little discus because they're cheaper and acclimate easier... and I love discus.

Thanks in advance
Nippybetta

 

I think the price of the rams is a little high but not bad. When I had mine they were $8

 

Here they are $15.99... I really think it just depends on your location.

 

I got my first rams for 8 each at a store 2 or 3 hours away, which I might be able to visit some time during spring break. Stinks that yours cost that much, gourami88.

 

Yeah, some things we get cheap, like the glofish which are under $2, but then some things cost a fair bit more.

 

I've bought them from 5 to 10 dollars.

I'd look on aquabid.com

 

I bought my guy for $10. Best $10 EVER, provided its comes from a good source.

 

i've seen 10-20$. what kinda ram? Seems the more colorful the more $ here.

 

I called my LFS a few nights ago and figured out they can order fish online. Now that I know my LFS can order fish, I might be able to get really cool stuff... lately I've been interested in getting little discus because they're cheaper and acclimate easier... and I love discus.

Thanks in advance
Nippybetta

You can order fish online, too, and leave out the middleman.

 

What type of rams are we talking about? I picked up a pair of Bolivians yesterday from petco. They were listed as "Ruby Clown Cichlids". $12 for both. I watched the tank for a very long time and picked two that seemed to be paired. Hope they breed.

 

What type of rams are we talking about? I picked up a pair of Bolivians yesterday from petco. They were listed as "Ruby Clown Cichlids". $12 for both. I watched the tank for a very long time and picked two that seemed to be paired. Hope they breed.

Good luck... Petco can be so funny sometimes! The rams are gold and blue rams. I've been looking on aquabid for something with free shipping, but so far they're all groups of atleast 6. I've also been looking on craigslist, but haven't had much luck. Those are cheap goldies, gourami88.

 

My LFS I usually shop at sells them for $11 each.

 

Rams at my LfS are $12.99, if you order online be sure to figure in the shipping cost.

 

I believe I got my ram for $3-4, but that was a fish store that was insanely cheap.

On another note, I would not pay $13 for pet store rams. The two rams I have had (from a pet store..) mysteriously died. They had been doing great, and just died. There used to be a thread where numerous people had pet store rams that did about the exact same thing as my rams did.

I'm late to the party, but I would also buy online.
Like any other online site, make sure you read the seller's feedback before bidding/buying!

 

That's a cheap ram. The pet store I'm looking into isn't a big box store, and seems very reputable. They have 2 large tanks, one for guppies, the other for goldies, and seem to care about what happens to the fish.

 

That's a cheap ram. The pet store I'm looking into isn't a big box store, and seems very reputable. They have 2 large tanks, one for guppies, the other for goldies, and seem to care about what happens to the fish.

That's good! Do what you feel is the best!

 

Around here, rams are like this:
tank bred blue & gold rams usually go for $5-9.
Long fin Blues or Golds- $8-10
Wild Blue Rams- $3-4
Electric Blue Rams- $18-25
Bloivian Rams- $4-6

SO yeah, It really depends on the location..... I also recommend that you try to get the youngest rams you can get, because there average lifespan is around 2 years, and most at pet stores are around 6-12months old.

 

A good idea. I think balloon rams are cute, at the far away LFS they cost the same as the other rams- should I look into those, or are they much more difficult to keep?

EDIT: Nevermind, I've decided not to risk they're shortened life spans and all that stuff.

 

What type of rams are we talking about? I picked up a pair of Bolivians yesterday from petco. They were listed as "Ruby Clown Cichlids". $12 for both. I watched the tank for a very long time and picked two that seemed to be paired. Hope they breed.

I got mine from Petco with the same 'labeling' - he's a true Ram ! King of the tank. I think he was $6.29, but I would suspect that fish like anything is price location specific when buying locally.

 

At Petsmart the rams were $6.49 at the local aquarium shop they are just over $10.00. I trust the aquarium store to have healthier product, so I by from them even though it is a little higher priced.

 

I have two LFS here in town, but I just won't buy livestock from them. The tanks are filthy, most have dead fish being cannibalized the survivors. Just deplorable. It's obvious that cash is king in these places.
While Petco is a big chain store, at least they offer a guarantee on their fish, as long as your water is good.
I envy all of you who have a LFS where the fish (and the hobby) come before the profits