Ever bought fish online?

[MarcF]

They sure look nice. I don't know how extensively this has been discussed, and I'm quite new here. A search yielded 0 results yet I know I read someone mentioning Liveaqueria somewhere. I'm just starting a main tank, much less having a Q tank yet. When cycling is done I might look into these guys. I wonder how they ship.
https://www.liveaquaria.com/category/15/marine-fish

 

[WisconsinReefing]

Lots of positive feedback on LA, I also like aqua locker

 

[vetteguy53081]

I have ordered livestock online more than once with good success
Live Aquaria
SaltwaterFish.com
Aqua Locker

 

[MarcF]

my wife is going crazy over this pic I found on Liveaqueria. It's a Black Cap Basslet. She loves purple. Everything purple.

 

[Bob Weigant]

I have ordered online but I think nothing is better than buying a fish I can see at my LFS

 

[MarcF]

I have ordered online but I think nothing is better than buying a fish I can see at my LFS

true - if they have what you're looking for. I'd always give the LFS first shot - especially just starting.

 

[Twìsted~Coral]

It has always been 50/50 on the fish coming in dead or alive with live aquaria. They always refund the dead fish

 

[LDog74]

I have had good luck with Live Aquaria divers den

 

[vetteguy53081]

my wife is going crazy over this pic I found on Liveaqueria. It's a Black Cap Basslet. She loves purple. Everything purple.

These guys can be territorial and fiesty. Seems t be s purple fish thing. Same with purple pseudochromis and orchid dottyback.

 

[Radman73]

I've ordered from LA and Diver's Den. Highly recommend DD over regular LA. Of the 14 I've ordered from LA 10, yes 10, died. Of the 6 I've ordered from DD, all are still thriving in my DT. I lost an entire batch of 6 dispar anthias to urenoma in QT and later lost 3 of 6 lyretail anthias to urenoma. If you order from LA, IMO you might as well put the fish in the QT tank and start ramping up copper, GC, metro/focus prepared foods and/or your preferred QT meds.

 

[piranhaman00]

Live Aquaria is great! The new box fee not so much...

 

[MERKEY]

Online vendors can be hit or miss.

I have ordered from most that others here use as well.

So far NYaquatics was the best experience for me.

The main thing you have to be concerned about when buying fish online is what they bring with them.

I learned the hard way due to some unfortunate events and had velvet in my tank. It seems this has become more common recently with online vendors.

As long as you have a SOLID QT set up for observation and the correct tools to treat when necessary, I believe all the online vendors mentioned will be good. The ones mentioned all have shipped in very well packaged with styrofoam and heat packs with plenty of water.

Let us know when you get the lil purple guy....for your wife

 

[ReefGrammie]

These guys can be territorial and fiesty. Seems t be s purple fish thing. Same with purple pseudochromis and orchid dottyback.

I was about to say the exact same thing!!! I had a purple pseudochromis (gorgeous fish) that was a TERROR!!!!

 

[S2G]

Liveaquaria has taken a hit in quality from what I've seen since the petco buyout. Divers den still appears to be really good.

I would try to find a good shop locally. I doubt you'll find a blackcap basselet but they'll probably have an orchid dottyback. They look similar except the dottyback is more commonly available and a lot cheaper. Mine is out all the time.

 

[EMeyer]

Also check reefs4less. Best priced by far. I've had very good experiences with them, and stopped buying fish anywhere else

 

[lapin]

Like others have said its a hit or miss with most online vendors.
I would go to my LFS and ask about ordering the fish you want.
If they arrive all beat up or dead you are spared the process of getting credit and reordering form the online vendor.
Something to take into account is if the fish is tank bred or wild caught.

 

[AZReef13]

This past Sat, I recieved an order from LA, 2 Ruby Longfin wrasses, Yellow Coris, and elegance coral. Everything came in Lookng great,even with UPS delay in delivery. The rubys have great color and eating, have only seen yellow stick its head out of sand, but looked great in bag. Elegnce is open and doing well, its one of thier cultered ones.

I also got a captive breed Court jester from Algae Barn. Its also doing great. Plus I have a Male Captive breed Mandarin coming this week, to pair off with my female.

 

[SeaJay]

I've ordered from Liveaquaria a few times and aqualocker a couple times. I had better luck with liveaquaria. Live Aquaria's divers den is on point. Haven't had any losses when ordering DD. However, now I have established a relationship with my LFS and he gets me whatever I'm looking for. He texts me when it comes in and I go check it out. He ordered a couple jawfish for me recently. The pearly was acting kinda funny, but I took him anyway. A couple days later I get a text checking in to see how the fish is doing. If it wasn't doing well, I know he'd make it right. You're not going to get that kind of service from an online vendor. So I'd recommend getting on a first name basis with someone at your LFS. It pays to have relationships, and they make a ton of money off me. So it's a win-win.

 

[Fishingandreefing]

I have ordered online but I think nothing is better than buying a fish I can see at my LFS

True but the down side is 99% LFS has no guarantee on the fish vs online usually 14 days.

 

[HKAVR45]

I've been a bit better than 50/50 with LiveAquaria. Like others have said they are very responsive on providing a credit for DOA. More than 75% of my fish have been purchased at the LFS. Seeing the fish, asking to watch it be fed are pretty important factors. If you find a good LFS, they will most likely order something for you if they do not normally carry the fish you're looking for.