Is Anyone Having Long Term Success With Petsmart Fish.

[Wrenne]

I'm trying to figure out why I've had 2 fish end up with dropsy. They occurred almost 5 months apart. I have some ideas of what could have cause this and I really don't want to talk about it because it's really upsetting. What I wanted to know is if other people are having simular issues.

I read somewhere that it isn't always your fault and genetics and condition can cause early death in bettas. I'm not going to buy anymore fish from pet smart. I don't recommend it.

 

[Annie59]

I buy fish from them. No problems, I only get fish from ANY pet store if they at least look healthy. If they look sick or the tanks not up to par I won't get them that day. But sure I've gotten fish from them with good results as from most of the other pet stores.

 

[Skavatar]

i've had my feeder comets for 10 months. and a blue oranda for 5 weeks.

there are many factors that contribute to fish death. some we can control, some we can't.

 

[windrunner9189]

i've had a petsmart guppy die on me 2 months after purchase, and there were no signs of sickness. the water parameters were perfect, there weren't any bullies, and I saw nothing concerning on his body. I still don't know why he died.

 

[EMcT1985]

I got a betta from petsmart over a year ago and he's still doing well. I try to avoid Petsmart though--there are other local-type stores that just take better care of the fish.

 

[Fishbro5]

Yeah, I am sort of sad to say most of my fish in my 75 gallon came from Petsmart besides the Rainbows but Hey! They are still alive and thriving after 1-3 years depending on when I bought them and I love them! I used to never quarantine...especially from a big box pet store like Petsmart, it was a bad idea. I don't recommend Petsmart or Petco like some other people but I do love going there to get supplies.

 

[Annie59]

Yeah, I am sort of sad to say most of my fish in my 75 gallon came from Petsmart besides the Rainbows but Hey! They are still alive and thriving after 1-3 years depending on when I bought them and I love them! I used to never quarantine...especially from a big box pet store like Petsmart, it was a bad idea. I don't recommend Petsmart or Petco like some other people but I do love going there to get supplies.

Then why are you sad to say you got them from petsmart if they are alive and well?

 

[Heathen]

i've had a petsmart guppy die on me 2 months after purchase, and there were no signs of sickness. the water parameters were perfect, there weren't any bullies, and I saw nothing concerning on his body. I still don't know why he died.

Guppies have a disease much like neon tetra that has no real signs where they just drop off. Some live on, some don't. I wouldn't feel too bad over it, though it does suck to lose a fish no matter what.

There is nothing inherently wrong with getting fish from big chain stores, some are quite good.. some not so great. The workers there don't go through professional training but there is some good folk out there in the trade trying to make a difference. Mom and pop stores are hit and miss, this is why it is so important for us to support one another and help in research. Rather than say "Here let me google that for you", we give help because people go to other people that have that experience to pick at that knowledge.

It's important to QT anything. Plants, guppy, feeder, betta, only fish, 104th fish, snail, shrimp, etc.

What I mainly look for in fish when buying:
-fin conformation
-fin condition
-body condition
-overall appearance/health
-if the fish is eating
-OTHER tank mates if they look sickly

Of course, I keep in mind where it will go after QT if it's compatible, and all that good stuff.

 

[Jimmie93]

I buy all of my fish online from home breeders every time I buy fish from stores something happens to them they either get sick or die from stress.

You can even get good fish on ebay the shipping his high but the quality is way better.

 

[Fishbro5]

Then why are you sad to say you got them from petsmart if they are alive and well?

Yeah I guess that came out a little wrong, I love the heck out of my fish but at the time I bought them, I really didn't know what kind of company I was supporting and how they ship animals in specifically fish and how they treat them. I definitely don't regret buying my fish at all but I just probably won't be buying fish from Petsmart again unless they look in perfect condition and I was dying to buy the certain type of fish.

 

[Islandvic]

Many times, Petsmart and Petco use the same vendors as local pets stores.

LFS's though have more flexibility in their choice of vendors, especially when using local breeders.

Check out this link to Segrest Farms website and you can type in your zip code then use drop down box and put the largest mile radius. They are one of the largest distributors in the U.S.

That linked page will show you any store that Segrest sells to.

My zip shows Petco, Petsmart and 2 LFS's on my area they supply to.

When I get fish from big box store, I try to get them from tanks without dead fish or with Ich, and choose from a batch that appear healthy. I also throw them in a QT for 10-14 days before putting them in general population.

 

[Heathen]

I have worked at many pet stores. I have received much fish. They get shipped much like how breeders ship them out, the Petco that I worked at as well as a few others got their betta from Korea and other fish from overseas, much like you would online for many fish as some species are just not in the states. I am not saying some are bad, there will always be good stores, good shippers and so on. Just as there will be bad, one store I worked at the delivery guy was horrible and we actually had him replaced for the sake of our fish. Just some food for thought.

 

[Crispii]

It's a hit-or-miss with me.

 

[Skavatar]

putting them in general population.

lol, that made me laugh, bc I work in corrections.

 

[Epicoz]

I have a black neon tetra approaching on four and one approaching three years both from Petsmart the worst I’ve had were they’re guppies suck and my zebra danios came with genetic defects

 

[Ladyglo]

All my fish but 2, have come from Petsmart and I have never had a problem. Probably, like anything else, some stores are better and some are worse. Just need to shop around until you find a store you are comfortable with. The worst experience I ever had was actually in an independent lfs. Now I know, won't ever go back to that store.

 

[Nobote]

My petsmart has awful looking tanks, I am scared to buy fish from there for fear of some random bacterial or fungal infection blossoming post purchase.

 

[Iboughtmykidfish]

I buy fish from petsmart all the time, and have had long term sucess with them. The one right by me is pretty good, and they have knoweledge workers. The one the next town over is the exact opposite. I think it really just depends on the particular store. Where I live, just about every chain, as well as mom and pop store gets their fish from the exact same place, a few hours away, so I choose to go to petsmart, where the prices are usually less expensive, and the tanks are well maimtained.

 

[kallililly1973]

Aside from a couple Otto Cats and a couple SAE all of my fish have come from Petco and Petsmart with good survival rates. I started with 3 guppies close to 2 years ago and now I have about 10 generations from those 3. The 3 originals have since passed but their name will live on in my tanks for many years!! My only bad experience that I can recall was when I got 5 panda cory and 2 died within a week but then again the Pandas have had a bad run lately from seeing the threads around here they are not the most hardy. but my 6 pepper corys from petco have all been with me well over a year and are big plump goofy and happy!!

Many times, Petsmart and Petco use the same vendors as local pets stores.

LFS's though have more flexibility in their choice of vendors, especially when using local breeders.

Check out this link to Segrest Farms website and you can type in your zip code then use drop down box and put the largest mile radius. They are one of the largest distributors in the U.S.

That linked page will show you any store that Segrest sells to.

My zip shows Petco, Petsmart and 2 LFS's on my area they supply to.

When I get fish from big box store, I try to get them from tanks without dead fish or with Ich, and choose from a batch that appear healthy. I also throw them in a QT for 10-14 days before putting them in general population.

Thanks for the link to Segrest Farms. I typed my Zip in and sure enough all the places i've gotten fish from are from there very cool!!

 

[Jmason4124]

All my fish but 2, have come from Petsmart and I have never had a problem. Probably, like anything else, some stores are better and some are worse. Just need to shop around until you find a store you are comfortable with. The worst experience I ever had was actually in an independent lfs. Now I know, won't ever go back to that store.

Agreed. The PetSmart near me doesn't have healthy looking tank conditions; however, the Petco near me seems to have pristine conditions (for a chain retailer). I think it depends on the individual locations.

 

[SarahBear1009]

I have only gotten my fish from the Petco near me, or a local fish store I go to. If one store doesn't have what I'm looking for, the other usually does.
The only fish I ever had an issue with were my Rummynose Tetra. I kept having them die off all of a sudden, one by one. No injuries, was fine the night before, water parameters were good, and woke up to one dead for several days in a row. Still not sure what happened. I have 3 left now.. I'd love to up their numbers but I'm nervous to get more to just have them die off.

 

[Señor Pescado]

In the town I live in, my only local fish suppliers are Petsmart and Petco. I initially stocked my 20 gallon tank back in November with neon tetras from PetSmart. In March, I added a Dwarf GouramI from PetSmart as well. While both of these species have been known to have their own problems, I haven't had a single issue. They're all happy and healthy.

 

[nikm128]

I have had little success with fish from there, less than 10 of 50+ fish that I own are from there, it used to be the only place I got fish but then everything started dying for no apparent reason with good water quality, so I think I have 7 fish that have lived about a year from there. Everything else is from Petco or a local place called seascape aquatics.
So the short answer is no, or very little

 

[Demeter]

Right now I've got a grandma female betta and a 4+ year old male albino BN. All my other fish are either raised by me or bought from a couple other petstores. I don't fancy petsmart too much, their fish aren't the greatest and I've had some problems with female bettas from there.

 

[AquaticJ]

I don’t buy from big box stores anymore because they’re hurting private owned fish stores, and it’s supporting mass breeding from asia. The latter is ruining our fish.

 

[CanadianFishFan]

Last year I bought 8 guppies and got a 9th for free. ("It may die on the 15 min drive home so I have you an extra")
Skip to 5 days later I had only 3 left. Now skip to today I own 1 of those original guppies. Ive had petsmart bettas last a year and a half that's about it.

 

[ssbon18]

I lost my 4 year bn pleco I got from Petco this year. The day I went to get a new one they didn't have any in. I went to PetSmart (15 minutes further from my house). They had more selection and the tanks were very clean. Ended up getting a rubberlip pleco this time. I’ve had him for about 3 months now and he's doing really good so far.

 

[SFGiantsGuy]

It truly is hit or miss; ehhh for me, it's been about 5 out of 20 let's say for fish stock...plants, never have purchased 'em from any bog box store other than some Anacharis a very long time ago... (almost 25 years ago! lol)

 

[Victoria99]

Bought 1 fish from them. A betta. She got dropsy and died within days

 

[SuzanaBanana]

Most of my fish have been from petsmart, some have died but most of them are fine, and are now 4+ yrs old

 

[AvalancheDave]

Most of my clown loaches are from Pet Smart and are 16+ years old.

 

[Deku-Cory]

I don’t feel comfortable supporting any of the big box stores. In my personal experience Petco and Petsmart have always been bad. Pet Supplies Plus used to be good because they had a true fish nerd employee who took amazing care of the fish, but once he left it went downhill.

But even if you do have a big box store that has healthy looking fish, there are still reasons not to support it. The big box stores buy from low quality breeders because they can afford to take losses on sick fish. Smaller stores can’t afford that, so they buy from higher quality breeders. This does mean their prices are higher, but you truly get what you pay for. I know my next fish will be bought from a small store, specifically ordered online because there are no local freshwater fish stores in my area.

 

[AJ34]

I have only ever purchased one fish from Petsmart, a male Betta and I have had him about a year so far so good luck there. I have had some unexplained deaths with some fish from Petco mostly Bettas and Gourami. It is frustrating but I think it can happen anywhere. At the time of purchase these fish seemed seemingly healthy. I'm not really sure if there was a genetic component or just some underlying disease not visible to my eye... If a store is keeping fish in deplorable conditions, I would not buy from them but sometimes I think unfortunately unexpected disease, defects, death is just something you will encounter in the hobby even when you try your best to avoid it.

 

[Crispii]

I don’t feel comfortable supporting any of the big box stores. In my personal experience Petco and Petsmart have always been bad. Pet Supplies Plus used to be good because they had a true fish nerd employee who took amazing care of the fish, but once he left it went downhill.

But even if you do have a big box store that has healthy looking fish, there are still reasons not to support it. The big box stores buy from low quality breeders because they can afford to take losses on sick fish. Smaller stores can’t afford that, so they buy from higher quality breeders. This does mean their prices are higher, but you truly get what you pay for. I know my next fish will be bought from a small store, specifically ordered online because there are no local freshwater fish stores in my area.

Would you support a German chain pet store?

 

[Holeinthehead]

I have never had a problem with PetsMart fish.

 

[aquanerd13]

i've had a petsmart guppy die on me 2 months after purchase, and there were no signs of sickness. the water parameters were perfect, there weren't any bullies, and I saw nothing concerning on his body. I still don't know why he died.

Guppies have shot life spans, and by the time they are very beautiful like you see them at petsmart, they don't have a long time left to live

 

[yinoma2001]

I don't think all box stores are created equally.

I have a really good PetSmart near me, and we've bought plenty of fish there (and they've over reproduced and thrived). One time I had a dead fish, I returned it within 14 days and they asked no questions and actually apologized!

There's also a Petco that I will visit, but recently have seen 50+ dead fish in their tanks with brown algae, so I know they're doing a **** poor job. Went to another Petco and their tanks were much better managed and bought two honey gouramI there and they are doing well.

Underrated thing is PetSmart's 14 day return policy (no questions asked at my really good local one) and Petco's 30 day return policy (haven't used it yet).

 

[Erupto35]

*disclaimer- no real useful info, read at your own risk of boredom*

I have a Petsmart right across the street from a Pet Supplies Plus a mile away, then a LFS in the next town. I don't get critters from the LFS very often because I was concerned about the 20 minutes in a bag in the car vs 3 minutes. The people in the PSP are friendlier and more helpful and the equipment tends to be better priced, but the actual fish I have that have thrived best have come from the Petsmart, even though those employees (my location anyway) seem detached and disinterested. Personally I didn't credit the store so much... I got mostly goldies from petsmart and neons/gouramis from psp, so that's clearly not giving them equal chances! But over the course of a year, lets see... 83% survival from Petsmart, 26% survival from PSP, 86% from the LFS.

Well. I was all fixed to get a new fancy goldfish at Petsmart this week, but now that I've bothered to determine those survival rates, I think I will risk the trip to the LFS! Thanks guys!

I had never thought of checking for the supplier either! So silly, that's my first step when eating at restaurants. So pleased y'all mentioned that, I love you guys !

 

[Dennis57]

I went to petco once (while waiting for my wife when she went shopping) bought 4 fish, after 2 days my Nitrates went through the roof and the 4 new fish and 5 others had died. That was the 1st and last time I will ever go there

 

[nikm128]

They have at least an hour worth of oxygen in the bags, no need to worry about a little extra time