On-line or Store

In your opinion/experience, is it better to purchase fish from your local pet store/fish store or from on-line sources? What are your chances of buying a fish with a disease from these places? I bought some tetras from my local pet store without any issues and I would like to add some Endler's Livebearers, but this store does not carry them. I found them on-line and I also found them at another local fish store. They are tiny so I think it might be difficult seeing any potential diseases...like ich. I'd rather not pay the high shipping costs of on-line, but I am only guessing that on-line might keep better quality fish...I don't know. Hoping for opinions

 

In my experience, online is basically the same as in store as far as health of the stock. If a store doesn’t carry a fish or a plant I want or doesn’t sell it at a price that I agree with, I’ll buy it online.

 

I default to in store if I can. Especially the LFS so I can support someone local. But if you want something specific that you can’t source local, it justifies the shipping costs. Or if you’re breeding and want new blood or premium genetics to play with it does also.

I have bought many plants online to get what I want. And I find some of the local plant prices are high for what I’m able to source for size and quality. I have two good shops in town so I have not dealt with buying fish online. But like anything you need to just do your research. There are good and bad shops with anyone, online or in person.

 

I don't think there's much of a different. Whether it's online or brick and mortar there's always going to be amazing retailers and awful retailers. It comes down to a case by case basis of how the individual business is run.

 

In your opinion/experience, is it better to purchase fish from your local pet store/fish store or from on-line sources? What are your chances of buying a fish with a disease from these places? I bought some tetras from my local pet store without any issues and I would like to add some Endler's Livebearers, but this store does not carry them. I found them on-line and I also found them at another local fish store. They are tiny so I think it might be difficult seeing any potential diseases...like ich. I'd rather not pay the high shipping costs of on-line, but I am only guessing that on-line might keep better quality fish...I don't know. Hoping for opinions

I try to get them from my LFS cuz there is no shipping fee. My LFS has very healthy fish so there isn't a health problem for me.

 

I like to buy from LFS in my area, 1 reason is I like to look at the item first before I buy.
I don't walk up to a salesman and say ill take 4 Angels. I bring them over to the tank and tell them which fish or plant I want.

Only thing I buy online is Nilocg Thrive for my plants

 

I do most of my fish buying online nowadays. I've had far better luck healthwise from the better known (around here) online stores than I've had with any of my LFS. The only use I have for the local shops is one that sells Hikari frozen foods (my Apisto loves their Krill). I figure, if they want my business they won't sell me sick fish. Also, the selection is far better online.

 

Thank you everyone for letting me know your experiences..I really appreciate your time. I just got back from the LFS. They have an almost 5 rating on Yelp. I looked at what they had and bought all tank mates..they had the amount I wanted. They looked good at the store but the lighting was just okay. I have them floating in my tank and I looked at them with my magnifying glass and they all look healthy to me so fingers crossed.

 

Thank you everyone for letting me know your experiences..I really appreciate your time. I just got back from the LFS. They have an almost 5 rating on Yelp. I looked at what they had and bought all tank mates..they had the amount I wanted. They looked good at the store but the lighting was just okay. I have them floating in my tank and I looked at them with my magnifying glass and they all look healthy to me so fingers crossed.

What did you get?

 

What did you get?

AcornTheBetta I got 4 Endler's Livebearers...all male

 

I haven't ordered many fish online just because between my 3 lfs' I can pretty much find what I need without paying $30+ for shipping

 

Chances are your store buys online. So either you buy online or they do. But if they buy first then the fish sit in dirty LFS tanks until you buy them. So might as well just order them yourself.

I've learned that there's only one store in my whole city that I can really trust for fish and it's a super small hole in the wall establishment run by 2 grumpy retired ladies lol. They only carry so much. But I got an adult pleco from them and some Otos and they are all extremely happy and healthy. From the other stores in town I've gotten Hydra, columnaris, and dropsy.

Just my experience but so far I never had a problem online. One of the rasboras I received was a runt and I doubt he will grow any more than half his normal size but he is healthy at least

 

I haven't ordered many fish online just because between my 3 lfs' I can pretty much find what I need without paying $30+ for shipping

I'm with you. There's not much that I can stomach paying $30 for shipping to get. Most of the fish that I purchase are in the $3-$10 range. Why would I pay 3-10x the cost of the fish itself for the shipping?

I did try online ordering once and it was not a good experience. I ordered a dozen Galaxy Rasboras because they're almost impossible to find locally and the one place that I did see them at had them at $16 each! I ordered them from Aqua Huna and they came as tiny, tiny juveniles and all died before 48 hours were over.

 

I'm gonna be in the online camp, lol. There are technically 3 LFS in my general vicinity. One of them we went to and got skeeved out and left immediately--everything had a run-down, generally "gross" feel to it, and I wouldn't trust anything live that came from there. The other 2 I've called many times hoping to find literally anything actually in-stock, and I'm 95% sure both of them are fronts for the mafia or something. No neons. No betta. No mystery snails (or nerites).

So, yeah. Every living aquatic creature we own has come from online sources. I've only had trouble with 1 shipment of mystery snails. Everything else has arrived healthy, if not happy. Of course, I'm doing a pretty strict quarantine, but still. I hate paying $40+ for overnight shipping, but given the climate right now... Anyways. Yeah. I had no choice, and honestly it's been a great experience buying online.

 

Hmm.. Depends, on what your looking for as mentioned. I have had successes and failures with both. I suppose I am "Luckier" then most, with 3 LFS, I visit and none of them big"P" stores. Get to know the owner they may even take fish purchase orders.
Now when I want something specific, I do purchase online but do my research. And "Yes" at times shipping can be high. But.. I get the fish I want. Also, I search the
Buy, Sell, Trade, Free Forum
some "great" members selling their home grown plants/fish. Never been disappointed. Highly recommend!

There is another "Option" if available in your area.
Which IMHO is by far the "Best Option' for me.
Local Fish Auctions sponsored by Local Fish Clubs. By far the best "Quality and Prices" and "No" shipping.
In fact my club had a swap meet a month ago. I picked up the stock for my "African Build". 30 fish for $110, but actually cost me nothing since I sold twice that amount in fish I breed. Do a search, see if any clubs in your area.

Just my .02

Good Luck!

 

I haven't ordered many fish online just because between my 3 lfs' I can pretty much find what I need without paying $30+ for shipping

There are less expensive options, like Aqua Huna.

 

There are less expensive options, like Aqua Huna.

I like Aqua Huna because they are cheaper than other places. I dislike that they make you buy certain quantities of things. Like I can't get 8 corys cuz they sell em as 6 packs.