LFS Red Flags

[ReefJCB]

Interested to hear what some red flags are for you when you visit a new LFS.

My two biggest are seeing pests (specifically aiptasia) and disease (specifically ich) on any livestock.

Special mention to having staff who clearly have no idea what they are doing. Overhearing bad advice is really hard to handle.

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

Thinking I've found a polka dot Shroom to look closer and it be flat worms.

 

[chandavi]

Watching the young man crush several corals in adjacent tank by dropping live rock on them. (He took them out of the tank that held the fire fish I was buying.)
A shame because the other workers are knowledgeable as well as careful!

 

[lion king]

Perfectly clean tanks, no algae at all; this means they almost certainly run copper in their system. I personally do not buy from sources that run copper or other med cocktails in their systems. Check the sg, if they run the sg below 1.020, you better be prepared to treat for parasites if you bring someone home; some theories point toward organ damage as well.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Hmmmmm

- Dead fish in display tank
- Salt creep all over glass (wonder how the tanks are maintained)
- Fish scratching and darting
- Fish breathing heavily
- Too many fish in a tank
- Dying coral or coral with tissue recession
- Receiving an answer" Im not sure" when asked a basic question
- High prices
- Prices not posted
- Dirty/cloudy tanks
- Selling fish that we all know not meant for the home aquarium

 

[Ricksreeefs]

That must rlly suck! My local place that I live 5 minutes away from is Blue ribbon Koi and they are the reason I got into the hobby! Everyone is super knowledgeable and friendly! They have Great display tanks, healthy fish, healthy corals and everything is nicely maintained!! Lol shout out to brk!