PETCO and Cichlids
- Thread starter Clever1
- Start date
The friendliest place on the web for anyone with an interest in aquariums or fish keeping!
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
joel618
Aquarium Advice FINatic
Clever1 said:Has anyone had any problems buying cichlids from PETCO?
What do you mean? What kind of cichlids?
Slade
Aquarium Advice FINatic
What kind of problem? Finding a specific species, determining if it's a hybrid, or are they refusing to sell it to you?
The good stores will ask what size tank you have, current stock, and if it's cycled. If they don't think it's appropriate for cichlids, they should offer an alternative.
The good stores will ask what size tank you have, current stock, and if it's cycled. If they don't think it's appropriate for cichlids, they should offer an alternative.
LyndaB
Aquarium Advice Addict
Has anyone had any problems buying cichlids from PETCO?
You'd have to find someone who purchased from your Petco. Every store is different.
Labenator65000
Aquarium Advice FINatic
I have. Its fine as long as you know what you are looking for, know what goes with what and what should not go with what. The folks at my PetCo simply are not familiar with Cichlids so they could offer no helpful advice. They do sell NLS, though.
Edit: Let me elaborate a bit. My I purchased my first Cichlids at PetCo a long time ago, having no clue how complicated it is to keep Cichlids or that forums like this even existed. With their advice, I purchased a Yellow Lab, an Electric Blue Ahli, and a Tiger Oscar. Anyone with any experience whatsoever will laugh out loud at that combination for a variety of reasons. Now, that being said, their return policy is unmatched, and they have a very friendly staff. They also openly admit that they are not experts with Cichlids. I'm a big fan of shopping local, so I do shop at both PetCo and PetSmart when possible, but I do my own research first. The best place to do your research is this forum.
Edit: Let me elaborate a bit. My I purchased my first Cichlids at PetCo a long time ago, having no clue how complicated it is to keep Cichlids or that forums like this even existed. With their advice, I purchased a Yellow Lab, an Electric Blue Ahli, and a Tiger Oscar. Anyone with any experience whatsoever will laugh out loud at that combination for a variety of reasons. Now, that being said, their return policy is unmatched, and they have a very friendly staff. They also openly admit that they are not experts with Cichlids. I'm a big fan of shopping local, so I do shop at both PetCo and PetSmart when possible, but I do my own research first. The best place to do your research is this forum.
nicosia31
Aquarium Advice Regular
I work at petco and I agree, all stores are different. I can tell you to ask for the "aquatic specialist" if he's there. Every store should have one. All employees are trained in the nitrogen cycle and setting up an aquarium ect. But not much species specific training. That comes with an employee who takes the initiative to learn all he/she can. There are a number of people in the company who know their stuff. But its hit or miss.
nicosia31
Aquarium Advice Regular
Also, ask for an aquatic availibility sheet. That will tell you the fish they can special order. They can get a number of cool cichlids. Also they have a 14 day guarantee with freshwater fish.
sliderfish
Aquarium Advice Addict
I have had to explain that the term cichlid is not enough to determine compatibility or tank needs to an employee on occasion. There is a big difference between oscars, rams, and auratus among MANY others and the generic tag "cichlid" confuses many a person, including employees.
At one Petco I saw an employee captivated by the fact that a few large red zebras picked a part a dead fish he threw in the tank. I sat and waited for five minutes as he watched it get torn up. When he looked at me he said "Dude did you see that...sweeet." I just shook my head and he said, "What they gotta eat"...I informed him they were herbivores and he said, "Dude, NO WAY!" Don't think I'll be back to that store any time soon.
At one Petco I saw an employee captivated by the fact that a few large red zebras picked a part a dead fish he threw in the tank. I sat and waited for five minutes as he watched it get torn up. When he looked at me he said "Dude did you see that...sweeet." I just shook my head and he said, "What they gotta eat"...I informed him they were herbivores and he said, "Dude, NO WAY!" Don't think I'll be back to that store any time soon.
Labenator65000
Aquarium Advice FINatic
I was just there yesterday to pick up some prime. They had a tank with two Jack Dempseys, a Convict, and a Yellow Lab. Lol. I still like shopping there.
