TN Tanks
Aquarium Advice Regular
My LFS is good, but doesnt stock that many different fish at a particular time, liveaquaria.com is nice, are there any other sites out there that do well also?
Where do you buy your fish?
- Thread starter TN Tanks
- Start date
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If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
An t-iasg
Aquarium Advice Addict
Here's where I bought my bettas: www.alloddballaquatics.com
There is a large selection of FW fish here. I went to the hatchery since it's close to me (well, 40 minutes away -- by Pittsburgh standards that's close! What's a few bridges and tunnels when you're looking for the perfect fish!)
Eric also ships fish. Contact him by e-mail to discuss what you're looking for and his ship rates. If what you want isn't listed on the site, e-mail and ask anyway. He doesn't have bettas listed on the site, but I thought he had to have them, and called to see, and he did. He has tons of tanks, and they are all very well cared for.
There is a large selection of FW fish here. I went to the hatchery since it's close to me (well, 40 minutes away -- by Pittsburgh standards that's close! What's a few bridges and tunnels when you're looking for the perfect fish!)
Eric also ships fish. Contact him by e-mail to discuss what you're looking for and his ship rates. If what you want isn't listed on the site, e-mail and ask anyway. He doesn't have bettas listed on the site, but I thought he had to have them, and called to see, and he did. He has tons of tanks, and they are all very well cared for.
ferret
Aquarium Advice Addict
At this point, I haven't had any cause not to use the local retail chains, mainly Petsmart which is literally half a mile away at the next stop light. I've had one case of disease from them that wiped out an entire tank of gouramis (And most of their own stock, I noticed the next week), but otherwise smooth sailing.
They're decent for most things but nothing exotic.
They're decent for most things but nothing exotic.
Enki
Aquarium Advice Freak
If you like your LFS you might want to talk to them about special ordering, see if you can get an 'in the bag' price.
I did that when I got my big batch of African cichlids. I paid a price better than some online places and just about the same as others, and I did not have to deal with or pay for shipping. The LFS guys picked the fish up with the rest of their regular order, and called me up to come get mine while they were still 'in the bag'.
I did that when I got my big batch of African cichlids. I paid a price better than some online places and just about the same as others, and I did not have to deal with or pay for shipping. The LFS guys picked the fish up with the rest of their regular order, and called me up to come get mine while they were still 'in the bag'.
I've gotten all my fish from different lfs. Since I am more interested in watching then breeding, I'm not as concerned about parentage. Plus, while I'll order inverts and plants online to be shipped, I'm uncomfortable about having fish shipped (not that theres anything wrong with it, its just my lil quirk).
However, now that some of my fish ARE starting to breed, and I'm becoming somewhat enamored of the idea, I may wind up ordering some; if I decide to go into breeding a little more seriously, I want to be sure I'm enhancing the species and will want the best.
However, now that some of my fish ARE starting to breed, and I'm becoming somewhat enamored of the idea, I may wind up ordering some; if I decide to go into breeding a little more seriously, I want to be sure I'm enhancing the species and will want the best.
TankGirl
Aquarium Advice Addict
I agree with Enki that the best way to go is to ask your LFS to order what you want, since then you won't have to pay shipping (like Brian said, shipping costs more than the fish!)
Also, don't forget to see if there is a local aquarium club that you could join, because that is a great way to buy and trade fish that you otherwise might not be able to find.
Also, don't forget to see if there is a local aquarium club that you could join, because that is a great way to buy and trade fish that you otherwise might not be able to find.
Kerrinne
Aquarium Advice Freak
My LFS consists of PetSmart - who constantly has dead fish floating, Wal-Mart - where they can't ever give me the right fish I ask for, and a saltwater fish store. ::sigh:: So I'm pretty limited.
When I get a 55+ gal (it's getting closer to that time!), I will likely get mine from liveaquaria simply because I'm ready to try something slightly more efficient. I'm not a happy camper with my LFS..and if it wasn't so insanely unprofitable to run a LFS, I'd do it right about now just to have a halfway decent place to get freshwater fish from!
When I get a 55+ gal (it's getting closer to that time!), I will likely get mine from liveaquaria simply because I'm ready to try something slightly more efficient. I'm not a happy camper with my LFS..and if it wasn't so insanely unprofitable to run a LFS, I'd do it right about now just to have a halfway decent place to get freshwater fish from!
TankGirl
Aquarium Advice Addict
Do not rule out the SW fish store! I have one near me and he ordered things for me before! He was very interested in my business, and beat the price I could get elsewhere. Worth a try.
illuminum
Aquarium Advice Freak
There are TONS of LFS's here in LA and most of them are relatively close to my house. There are also countless numbers of pet superstores like petco and petsmart. There are also other big box retailers that sell fish.
My only complaint is that I'm having trouble finding a lfs that sells shrimp other than ghost and mantis shrimp.
My only complaint is that I'm having trouble finding a lfs that sells shrimp other than ghost and mantis shrimp.
astroguy
Aquarium Advice Activist
I buy at Petco generally, but went to a "specialized" LFS as well in NYC.
There are several Petcos on Manhattan, and some are OK, some are awful.
Tomorrow I go to Petsmart on Staten Island to see the difference.
There are several Petcos on Manhattan, and some are OK, some are awful.
Tomorrow I go to Petsmart on Staten Island to see the difference.
Kerrinne
Aquarium Advice Freak
I haven't ruled out the SW guy, TG. He does also sell pond fish (Koi, goldfish, etc.). I am going in there to look at some 60, 70 and 90 gallon tank setups so I can pick what I want when my tax returns get in. So I told him I'd be in this Saturday to talk to him. I can ask him then about the possibility of getting FW fish for me.
TankGirl
Aquarium Advice Addict
I have one out of 5 LFS that sells Amano shrimp, but otherwise this is a "ghost town." Yuk, yuk...
freshwatergal
Aquarium Advice Freak
Well, I go to all the places that people love to hate. Wally world, meijer, Petsmart, Pet Supplies Plus...There is only one mom & pop fish store anywhere close to me, and the guy that runs it is mean. He tells you that you don't want this fish or that because they are hard to keep, almost like he doesn't want to sell his fish to anyone, keep them for himself. Like everyone I've had some bad luck with fish bought from anywhere.
*starts laughing*
Aww, I feel bad for the guy freshwatergal! He likely DOESN'T want to let them go; imagine trying to sell your fish *grin* I'll bet he's one of those folks that gets a little too attached to his animals. Each sale probably rips his heart out LOL
Aww, I feel bad for the guy freshwatergal! He likely DOESN'T want to let them go; imagine trying to sell your fish *grin* I'll bet he's one of those folks that gets a little too attached to his animals. Each sale probably rips his heart out LOL
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