LFS vs. PetCo, PetSmart

[ScoobyQue]

I have done a lot of looking and was wondering. I just started a fishless cycle in a 16 gallon octagon tank, and was talking to people, both at the LFS and PetCo/PetSmart. I'd imagine that the tanks at the LFS have all the bacteria and whatnot needed to keep fish happy, however at the other 2 stores, they mentioned that the water there was pretty much "sterile" (I put in in quotes because I work in a sterile room working with IV's everyday [IV technician here] and laugh at the fact that someone can make that statement). I wondered if i get fish from the "sterile" sites, if it would be a total shock to their systems and become something that may hurt them with all the bacteria already existing in their soon-to-be new home. Sorry if this seems a little bit elementary, but this is my first attempt at starting a tank, and I value the opinions and respect the knowledge I've found here at AA. Thanks

 

[Sarcothelia]

I assure you the tanks at Petco, Petsmart are cycled with bacteria, but the chances of getting ich or a sickly fish is much higher there since for the most part they don't really know what they're doing.

 

[ScoobyQue]

So....what youre saying is not to get stuff from there? where should i get fish from then?

 

[eco23]

So....what youre saying is not to get stuff from there? where should i get fish from then?

A great place to start is on the classifieds section of this site, or other online private breeders. The more I learn about the chain stores and many lfs's...I've started to look at them like puppy mills. The fish are overbred and are often bad stock that can die off for no reason, or bring illness to your tank. There's a member here (severum mama) who I've bought fish from in the past...and they're wonderful. She also quarantines everything before she sells it. I used to be nervous about having fish delivered, then I realized that's how all the lfs get them, lol. I think some members here also use sites like liveaquaria.

 

[ScoobyQue]

i am really nervous about that, whats the time it takes to get to you...do you need to choose breeder close to you...what if im at work and (cause I live in Florida) its hella hot outside and its dropped off in the morning and I dont come home till at night, will the fish be okay...its just one of a MILLION questions floating around my dome when it comes to this....

 

[eco23]

i am really nervous about that, whats the time it takes to get to you...do you need to choose breeder close to you...what if im at work and (cause I live in Florida) its hella hot outside and its dropped off in the morning and I dont come home till at night, will the fish be okay...its just one of a MILLION questions floating around my dome when it comes to this....

Most of the sellers guarantee the fish will arrive alive or they'll refund or replace them. That said, there are certain types of fish that ship better than others. It took me a while to be comfortable with the idea, but I realized that the lfs doesn't have a big breeding facility in the back room, and all their fish come from UPS, Fedex, etc...

I think coldness is more of a concern with shipping fish, but they can put a heat pack in the box. The thing I like too is that I've found a seller I fully trust, so I don't even worry about quarantining the fish I get. As long as you QT what you get from the lfs it's fine, I just personally don't like supporting the way they do business.

 

[carey]

They won't just leave fish at your door like a regular UPS package I don't think. I had tosign for my live fish last week. You could have them delivered to you at work? Not sure if that would work for you.

 

[Sarasein]

That is good to know. I have been struggling to find a local place I want to get fish/ plants from. I have taken to looking on e-bay.

 

[Fishguy2727]

They are saying sterile because most people think that is what they want to hear. They are claiming that their tanks are completely disease free, which is obviously impossible.

I prefer shopping locally. You can see the actual fish you are getting and the conditions it is in. Unless you are looking for hard to find species I would avoid buying online. If this is the route you prefer go with well known and reputable breeders and sources.

What fish are you wanting to keep in this tank?

 

[AquaOne]

Ditto Fishguy, in fact here in UK I think there are restrictions on the transportation of livestock such that only a licensed lfs can import fish. I don't think it's a widespread method of supply over here. We have 'pets-at-home' in UK as a retail pet store chain, it's okay to look, but go to an aquatic specialist when you want to part with some money.

 

[FoxRob]

My wife and I have bought all of our fish from Petsmart the lfs I have found has some really bad reviews but I also have never been there to judge for myself. There was a guy who worked at our local Petsmart who was really knowledgeable about fish and setting up our tank the first time.

 

[HUKIT]

I assure you the tanks at Petco, Petsmart are cycled with bacteria, but the chances of getting ich or a sickly fish is much higher there since for the most part they don't really know what they're doing.

This statement is completely false, there are good Petsmarts and bad Petsmarts. Just like there are bad LFS, as we've all been to those. Your just as likely to get ick from those establishments as well. Plus it's our job to quarantine our fish to prevent illness being transferred into out main display tanks. I have bought many fish over the years from Petsmart and even Walmart on rare occasion without incident, so to put out a blanket statement that they don't know what they're doing is false!

If you see fish your wanting at Petco or where ever, buy them and properly QT them with possible treatment for illness and my money's on that fish living a long and happy life.

 

[Mr. Limpet]

They are saying sterile because most people think that is what they want to hear. They are claiming that their tanks are completely disease free, which is obviously impossible.

I prefer shopping locally. You can see the actual fish you are getting and the conditions it is in. Unless you are looking for hard to find species I would avoid buying online. If this is the route you prefer go with well known and reputable breeders and sources.

What fish are you wanting to keep in this tank?

+1

Personally, I'm not a fan of shipping a live animal of any kind in a bag/box that some box tosser at UPS is gonna get it's hands on.

My LFS gets the bulk of their stock from professional breeders in the area, the only exception being fish that have to be wild caught (ie GSP) and from what he told me they're handled by shippers that know what they're doing, which doesn't include Fedex or UPS.

 

[eco23]

+1

Personally, I'm not a fan of shipping a live animal of any kind in a bag/box that some box tosser at UPS is gonna get it's hands on.

My LFS gets the bulk of their stock from professional breeders in the area, the only exception being fish that have to be wild caught (ie GSP) and from what he told me they're handled by shippers that know what they're doing, which doesn't include Fedex or UPS.

I'd be more than happy to buy from a lfs if I found one that seemed like they knew or cared about what they were doing. The private lfs's around here are less than caring or knowledgeable, and I refuse to support the PetSmart / Petco's in my area because every time I walk through the door I hear them give the same "let the tank run for 24 hours before adding fish" speech. Then I feel like it's my job to get involved, lol.

I agree about the Fedex / UPS guys not being certified animal handlers though, lol. Just last week when my Amanos came, the lady walked up to the door kinda tossing it around looking at the address label...I walked out there and was like "Yay! My LIVE shrimp are here!". Luckily severum mama knows how to package them well.

 

[eco23]

This statement is completely false, there are good Petsmarts and bad Petsmarts. Just like there are bad LFS, as we've all been to those. Your just as likely to get ick from those establishments as well. Plus it's our job to quarantine our fish to prevent illness being transferred into out main display tanks. I have bought many fish over the years from Petsmart and even Walmart on rare occasion without incident, so to put out a blanket statement that they don't know what they're doing is false!

If you see fish your wanting at Petco or where ever, buy them and properly QT them with possible treatment for illness and my money's on that fish living a long and happy life.

Wow. I'm not saying you're wrong...but that might be the first time in the history of AA that someone has defended PetSmart, hahaha.

 

[ScoobyQue]

I wasnt planning on doing anything crazy. I like the tiger barbs, the dalmation mollies, goldfish, and tetras. Nothing really insane. Ive seen them all at EVERY store ive gone into, i just dont know who to trust with getting them...if i get them you keep talking about a quarantine tank, but i only have one tank....

 

[Mr. Limpet]

You don't have fish right now, so essentially your tank will be a QT and I wouldn't worry about it IMO. Best thing you can do is go in and look at all the tanks (not just fish you want) and see the level of care the store is putting into their stock. If you see clean tanks, lively fish, etc there's a good bet you're going to get good fish. If you see every other tank with dead, sick or dying fish, walk out. Correction, run out .

 

[j2112j]

I wasnt planning on doing anything crazy. I like the tiger barbs, the dalmation mollies, goldfish, and tetras. Nothing really insane. Ive seen them all at EVERY store ive gone into, i just dont know who to trust with getting them...if i get them you keep talking about a quarantine tank, but i only have one tank....

I'd suggest the average person go into their local fish places and observe the fish over a period of a few weeks. Talk to the staff, find out if they actually keep fish, ask about plants, food, lighting, anything you can think of. If you feel comfortable with the staff, and if the fish you are interested in still look active and healthy, it's the best you can do, apart from spending money on a quarantine tank.