Big box store fish

[ksimmons8001]

Have any of you had problems with fish from big box stores? I bought 6 guppies from there and 2 have died, and another looking like it's going to. I have a 30 gallon tank with 4 guppies now, 12 neon tetras and 6 peppered cori cats. It is well planted with a sand substrate. Cycled well ammonia 0, nitrite 0, nitrate 10ppm, pH 7.2. it stays at 79 degrees. All of the other fish are great and no loss.

Just wondering if anyone else has experienced this.

[tunamanphd]

Unfortunately you picked one of the worst places to buy fish from. In the future I would avoid all of the Box stores if you can help it.

[connor31556]

Box store fish are not well maintained they are all probably sick your best bet is to buy your fish from local stores and not big brand names I know it's more expensive but at least you won't have to put in all that medicine and/or reset your whole tank

[ksimmons8001]

I agree. The sad part here is I have Petco and PetSmart to choose from. The only locally owned store that sells fish has got a really bad reputation for unhealthy animals. It is so bad that the owner put a sign above the front door outside that says we do not give refunds or exchanges. I bought the Cory's and tetras from PetSmart. They have a 30 day warranty. It was just odd to me that the mass bred tetras outlived Hardy guppies.

[Angellove78]

You didn't hospitalize them first... That's a huge mistake Imo. Any box store fish, you should always have a hospital tank for them for at least 2-3 wks. And keep the water clean. medicate them just to be sure. I'll throw this out to you. Do you know about the set up at these stores? And the difference between them and breeders? Most breeders will run sponge filters in every tank. Do you see them in the stores? Nope! They run all the tanks with the same water. For everyone of them. It don't matter if the filters are to different tanks. It's still the same water. Parasites, diseases, you name it. Any fish that is stressed or comes in so called "sick" then there's a huge chance the others will get it. The longer they are in that water the worse it gets for them. Sometimes you get lucky and find a store where someone actually likes their job and takes care of things the best they can. But the set up sucks. It's funny, I can order fish online, have them shipped to me and have no problems. But I get fish from a fish store and I'm spending about the same price for the fish, meds, gas, and so on, For the same price for healthy fish being mailed to me. But the difference is with the fish you get at the store your lucky to have then as long, or at all. Just say'n.

[ksimmons8001]

I do not have a separate tank for housing new fish. I understand the housing in box stores. I am like most people, I buy fish, acclimate them and set them free in the tank. I have the choice to buy them online and buy $40 worth of fish with $35 shipping. I get it, there are better avenues there. I don't run sponge filters, there's no need for it. It was a simple question and I was just curious if anyone else had the same issue. Thank you for your input on this.

[Angellove78]

Originally Posted by ksimmons8001

I do not have a separate tank for housing new fish. I understand the housing in box stores. I am like most people, I buy fish, acclimate them and set them free in the tank. I have the choice to buy them online and buy $40 worth of fish with $35 shipping. I get it, there are better avenues there. I don't run sponge filters, there's no need for it. It was a simple question and I was just curious if anyone else had the same issue. Thank you for your input on this.

Yes, I understand the question. And to answer fully. Yes I have. But I'm only dealing with fin rot so far. I just got some neon tetras, Otto's cats, Molly, and angelfish a few days ago. But they are in a 10g tank to themselves with clean water, and meds. Putting store fish in your tank after they've been shipped and dumped in at the store and in nasty water just adds more stress, they are scared. I'm just trying to help.

[V227]

KS
I've bought many healthy fish from box stores over the years, including from my local small town big box super store. I also buy fish from well run privately owned fish stores.
Big box stores get a bad rap because of inexperienced employees handling their fish depts.
Big box stores likely gets their stock from the same giant fish farms the other big box stores do.
It's up to you to examine the desired fish, recognize symptoms of disease, make sure it's eating, and don't be afraid to point out the exact fish you want.
Of course it's best to buy from a local breeder, or a privately owned shop, but that's not always convenient. Most people don't have QT tanks. Give special attention to the acclimation process. Maybe up the tank temp a little before bringing the new fish home, and be prepared to act at the first sign of a problem.
Some of my best fish have come from box stores.

[King Fisher]

As mentioned....QT is mandatory IME. Get yourself a 10 gallon QT on a $1 per gallon sale...small HOB filter, heater, and light. It will save you sweat and tears when you happen to infect your entire tank of healthy fish.

[Angellove78]

Originally Posted by King Fisher

As mentioned....QT is mandatory IME. Get yourself a 10 gallon QT on a $1 per gallon sale...small HOB filter, heater, and light. It will save you sweat and tears when you happen to infect your entire tank of healthy fish.

Don't even need that. Just float a container or a jar with an air stone. Saves on another tank, heater, and filter. Just change the water and don't over feed. I've used big pickle jars, big vases, clear plastic containers. Just float them in your tank. Works great. I do it all the time. I never have enough tanks.

[libertybelle]

Originally Posted by Angellove78

Don't even need that. Just float a container or a jar with an air stone. Saves on another tank, heater, and filter. Just change the water and don't over feed. I've used big pickle jars, big vases, clear plastic containers. Just float them in your tank. Works great. I do it all the time. I never have enough tanks.

Agreed. That would work fine for small fish. I also only feed every few days with new fish anyway. While they're settling they're not generally interested in food.

Its perfectly possible to not quarantine and get lucky but for the price of a one gallon ice cream bucket and an air stone you can save yourself a lot of trouble later on. And then you also have ice cream so.... win win.

[King Fisher]

Originally Posted by King Fisher

As mentioned....QT is mandatory IME. Get yourself a 10 gallon QT on a $1 per gallon sale...small HOB filter, heater, and light. It will save you sweat and tears when you happen to infect your entire tank of healthy fish.

$50 for this setup

[Angellove78]

Originally Posted by libertybelle

Agreed. That would work fine for small fish. I also only feed every few days with new fish anyway. While they're settling they're not generally interested in food.

Its perfectly possible to not quarantine and get lucky but for the price of a one gallon ice cream bucket and an air stone you can save yourself a lot of trouble later on. And then you also have ice cream so.... win win.

Yum! Lol! I just get the biggest glass vase at the dollar store. 2-3 bucks and you can see better. The vase is about a gallon. I watch at yard sales too for little 2-5 gallon plastic or glass tanks. Totes work too. I just like anything I can see through and big enough for the fish.

[coralbandit]

Originally Posted by V227

KS
I've bought many healthy fish from box stores over the years, including from my local small town big box super store. I also buy fish from well run privately owned fish stores.
Big box stores get a bad rap because of inexperienced employees handling their fish depts.
Big box stores likely gets their stock from the same giant fish farms the other big box stores do.
It's up to you to examine the desired fish, recognize symptoms of disease, make sure it's eating, and don't be afraid to point out the exact fish you want.
Of course it's best to buy from a local breeder, or a privately owned shop, but that's not always convenient. Most people don't have QT tanks. Give special attention to the acclimation process. Maybe up the tank temp a little before bringing the new fish home, and be prepared to act at the first sign of a problem.
Some of my best fish have come from box stores.

^^THIS^^
I would bet Big box storesgets fish from Segrest farms like everyone else...
Even my #1 LFS will have a tank every now and then that I will not purchase from . Possibly the rack/ or whole section...
I have bought fish from box stores that were not " QT. suitable" IMO so into the DT they go . I try not to do this but when I do I am very scrutinous .
I know for most finding a breeder is not practical ,at least not local but there are sites like AquaBid.com - Sell or buy aquarium equipment and fish in an auction format where you can find special breeders and even stores like Wetspot ,Bluegrass aquatics that will ship to your door . Many with live arrival guaranteed .. When I can't find what I want anywhere else I usually can find it there. I live in NY and have shipped and received healthy fish to as far away as Hawaii several times both ways [shipping to the big island this Monday again ]
Sellers are rated and I sell so I know I care about my customers getting good fish.. Read reviews of the seller..
Just another real option.. There are prize winning guppy sellers on AB..

[tunamanphd]

Originally Posted by coralbandit

^^THIS^^
I would bet Big box stores gets fish from Segrest farms like everyone else...
Even my #1 LFS will have a tank every now and then that I will not purchase from . Possibly the rack/ or whole section...
I have bought fish from box stores that were not " QT. suitable" IMO so into the DT they go . I try not to do this but when I do I am very scrutinous .
I know for most finding a breeder is not practical ,at least not local but there are sites like AquaBid.com - Sell or buy aquarium equipment and fish in an auction format where you can find special breeders and even stores like Wetspot ,Bluegrass aquatics that will ship to your door . Many with live arrival guaranteed .. When I can't find what I want anywhere else I usually can find it there. I live in NY and have shipped and received healthy fish to as far away as Hawaii several times both ways [shipping to the big island this Monday again ]
Sellers are rated and I sell so I know I care about my customers getting good fish.. Read reviews of the seller..
Just another real option.. There are prize winning guppy sellers on AB..

I have prize winning Endlers available

[ksimmons8001]

All but 1 ended up dieing so far. I went back to the store and asked for a manager to come over with me. We walked to the tanks and I showed him the condition there. He went to customer service and pulled a report for returned fish in the last 30 days. Out of 465 fish sold, 280 were returned dead. He quickly offered my money back and let me know the "fish guy" comes in on every 3rd Tuesday. Not sure if they have a fish guy or not, but that is quiet a high return rate.

[ksimmons8001]

My Cory cats, neon tetras and African dwarf frog are doing great that I bought from another box store. Thank everyone here for all of the advice and input. It helps a lot for future purchases.

[smallfry53]

I wonder how many died and weren't returned....

[Autumnsky]

Live bearers are usually plentiful from hobbyists.

Check whether there are any hobby breeders around your area. I am not really meaning people who have had there fish have babies. But know how to keep fish and breed them for better lines if fish.

Check for the clubs like Guppy breeders or Alabama Aquarium Society. Native fish etc.

You can often get the best quality especially if raised near you and similar water parameters.

I got 2 fish from the best fish store around and they got illness. So you can never be sure how stressed they have been through transport or handling. Makes fish of all kind susceptible to illness.