I've worked at an LFS, ask me anything about them

[Spare time]

I was wondering, does anyone have any questions about some behind the scenes at an LFS? Any questions on disease, stocking, orders, or any other random questions you might have about an LFS? I figure I'd share with you all any answers I might have as to what are good and bad signs as to an LFS's quality, and what a realistic and unrealistic expectations out of your lfs. I have been to a LOT of lfs's, and some don't know what they are doing, some are lazy, and others are fantastic. I think LFS's can play a huge role in someone's interests and successes in the hobby, and I'd like to help others determine what qualities of an lfs are good coming from a behind the scenes view. I obviously can't speak for all of them, but I figured this could be a fun or helpful thread in general about them in general

PS No direct naming of stores please

 

[Wasabiroot]

Would love how easy or difficult it is to get hard to find species. I'm assuming it's special order for every store. Did you ever find yourself wishing you could get cool stuff in?

 

[Ribo15]

I’ve heard if they won’t sell you fish without a water sample that’s a good thing?

juuuuust joking around.

my local LFS said he won’t be carrying many wrasse anymore because atleast 30% show up DOA and another 20% don’t live past 48 hours so he loses too much money on them

 

[Spare time]

Would love how easy or difficult it is to get hard to find species. I'm assuming it's special order for every store. Did you ever find yourself wishing you could get cool stuff in?

It depends. Certain whole sale vendors for fish have special order items, and a lot of the more unique things are either very expensive or difficult to care for. We'd get cool things in, but typically the rare stuff requires a more rare customer to purchase them

 

[RipVanWinkle]

I’ve heard if they won’t sell you fish without a water sample that’s a good thing?

I would be so annoyed if my stores did that

 

[Wasabiroot]

How much did seasonality affect your orders? I imagine somewhat

 

[Spare time]

I’ve heard if they won’t sell you fish without a water sample that’s a good thing?

I think it is a good sign but not very common. Whether its because they care for the fish or because they don't want to see the fish come in dead and the person wanting a refund or store credit is another thing. I am guessing both on that last one. This really isn't common though, as it basically means new customers can't buy anything on their first trip.

 

[Spare time]

How much did seasonality affect your orders? I imagine somewhat

Not too much from what I understand (if you mean the weather). Some things were available more at certain times of the year but that was far beyond our control

 

[muzikalmatt]

What were the biggest moneymakers as far as profit margins? Livestock? Dry goods? Fish food? RODI/saltwater?

Also, from what you've seen, how bad of a problem do you think fish disease is with respect to the supply chain?

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I'de like to know if its true that LFS keep their water at low salinity, and if so, why? Thanks in advance

(Personally for me in Toronto, the LFS's I use have always been at normal salinity)

 

[Spig]

Any funny stories that stand out from your time there?

 

[Spare time]

What were the biggest moneymakers as far as profit margins? Livestock? Dry goods? Fish food? RODI/saltwater?

Also, from what you've seen, how bad of a problem do you think fish disease is with respect to the supply chain?

Livestock by far. Dry good mark ups are very tiny (like 10 or 15%). This varies by store but typically markups on dry goods are very tiny. These kinds of stores are not lucrative by any means. Some dry goods could make a ok amount of money but if they sit long then it can be a pain. Some brands were worse than others. Red Sea is one where a $40 item may only have a $5 profit


Fish disease can vary. We ran copper above 2.0ppm so we never saw too much disease but some fish taken out and put into non copper systems would occasionally get marine ich. Flukes were the biggest killer of fish as copper does nothing to them. I would never buy a fish without at a minimum checking for flukes

 

[ssdawood]

Two questions
Do I need special permit to import fishes as a business. Provided I setup my corporation etc
Or a regular Corp is ok.

Also once corporation is open how do I find wholesalers for fish.
How can I find divers who collect fishes.

Is there some info on this available.

 

[Spare time]

Two questions
Do I need special permit to import fishes as a business. Provided I setup my corporation etc
Or a regular Corp is ok.

Also once corporation is open how do I find wholesalers for fish.
How can I find divers who collect fishes.

Is there some info on this available.

Hmm I know there is some sort of permit required but I don't know the details. We didn't directly import the fish and instead got them through various vendors in California or Florida. Quality Marine is an example of one place where we ordered fish from, but there are plenty of others. I would contact a fish wholesale place for that information. Sorry I couldn't provide more details, this informmation was exclusively handled by the owner

 

[ssdawood]

I know for corals I think you need Aquaculture permit.

I just wanted to do fish only no corals.

Time to call New York State.

 

[Arcu2]

I’ve been to quite a few lfs around me and they’re always hammered with customers on Saturday and sundays wanting water. My question to you is the RODI water really RODI water? Lol I feel like they use tap and some seachem prime or something lol

 

[LOVEROCK]

Are sps bugs rampant ? In lfs

 

[jfoahs04]

Thanks for this! I have a couple:

• About what percentage of orders arrive DOA?
• About how quickly do fish turnover? My LFS talked about a clown that had been in the store for 30 days as it if it was a drastically long time for that to happen.
• And finally, what are some common LFS myths (i.e. they’ll tell you anything if it helps a sale) that are not true?

 

[JumboShrimp]

{This is a great thread so far}

 

[jmichaelh7]

Do LFS run copper ?