Reputable online retailers for happy, healthy fish

Hi all. Where do you buy fish online? I have now purchased fish twice from a major pet store, and both times one of my little guys came with dropsy (for context: my tank was established, nitrogen cycle complete, and water parameters were good). In all honesty, I didn't inspect them before buying because I trusted the pet store employees, but from here on out I will always inspect them before buying. I also plan to go to an local, small business for my fish, but until quarantine is up, I will be buying online. I have a 4 gallon tank with three guppies (was four until this morning, saw bad pine-coning and breathing with one and sent him on his way with clove oil). I am going to just let them be for now, but would love recommendations for where you buy healthy, happy fish online.

 

Where abouts in the world are you? I know a few but they're Canada and USA based which may not be helpful if you're in the UK or something.

You might be able to contact local businesses and ask about no contact pick-ups. My own "local" [45 minutes away] fish store actually operates out of her house and is technically still running. People can contact her and she will show photos and videos of her fish and plants. If they decide to make a purchase they text her when they get to her house and she places the bag o' fish/plant in a box on the porch. Pay is all digital. I'm aware this may be uncommon but it doesn't hurt to ask!

 

Even if you inspect fish before buying at a local store, they can still have Ich or other health issues that aren't readily visible.

I suggest to figure out a way to quarantine fish. An easy method is to use a 5 gallon bucket, cheap adjustable heater and a sponge filter. I've used this set up for both quarantine and hospital tank purposes. It works well.


As for online vendors or fish, last year my friend and I made a couple of orders from Imperial Tropicals. They are a family owned wholesale breeding operation in Florida that also sells to the public. They have a YouTube channel with a ton of content and a couple of fish hobbyist channels have done walk through tours of the facility with the owner. Check the walk through tour videos out, so you can see if you like them.

Another wholesaler that is in the North West that also sells to the public is AquaHuna. Their S&H is only $12 and they have a very good policy on their fish being healthy.

 

I personally usually order my fish off of eBay, but am careful to pick sellers that have 4 1/2 star ratings and above on their products.
granted, I am usually ordering betta fish or guppies so I don’t know how it would be ordering whatever kind of fish you are looking for.

 

WetSpot is one of the best.

 

My daughter-in-law and I recently ordered from Aqua Huna, and plan to do so again. I haven't looked at all of their listings, but the for ones I've seen they only sell in groups instead of single fish, but the prices are good and shipping is reasonable.

 

The Wet Spot, Imperial Tropicals, and TRiN's Tropical Fish are all highly regarded with a long history of positive experiences from buyers. Liveaquaria, Aquatic Arts, and AquaHuna are also pretty good choices, though I can't back them with quite as much confidence either due to lack of long term positive feedback or other minor issues that dock points in my eyes. Ebay and Aquabid are also good sources, but they're both in the same format of being auction sites for individual sellers, so your experience will vary depending on which seller you buy from. Always check the feedback ratings to make sure they have a long history of positive feedback. Stay away from Arizona Aquatic Gardens, I know their site comes up a lot whenever you search for tropical fish, but I've heard way too many stories of awful experiences and people being ripped off by them.

 

I've also heard good things about coastgemusa.com and they have a huge variety of fish but I've never personally bought from them. Good luck!

 

Where abouts in the world are you? I know a few but they're Canada and USA based which may not be helpful if you're in the UK or something.

You might be able to contact local businesses and ask about no contact pick-ups. My own "local" [45 minutes away] fish store actually operates out of her house and is technically still running. People can contact her and she will show photos and videos of her fish and plants. If they decide to make a purchase they text her when they get to her house and she places the bag o' fish/plant in a box on the porch. Pay is all digital. I'm aware this may be uncommon but it doesn't hurt to ask!

What a great idea! I'll call around this weekend and see if any of the local shops are open.

Thanks so much for all the replies! I'm gonna let things chill for a while in my tank, but next time I'm in the market I'll check these out!