Petco fish?

[PotatoPig]

So my local Petco seems to often have a better selection than the local LFS’s, but from reading around there seems to be a concern about fish health levels from a general retail store vs a specialized fish store.

Provided I QT all fish (QT tank, Copper, Prazi/General Cure) is there any reason not to go through them?

 

[MoshJosh]

My Petco often gets cool and affordable SW fish. Yes, fish health/disease is a concern, just like with any retailer, but if you are going to QT it shouldn't be a problem.

 

[Sharkbait19]

Given a full qt it should be fine - just be sure not to buy any fish that are visibly ill.

 

[dedragon]

Sometimes the person managing the tanks takes very good care of their systems, sometimes not. I would ask the person in charge of the fish section about the maintenance routine and quiz them a bit on general reef tank knowledge. The only real reason not to buy there is if you want to support small local businesses like your LFS and not these giant chains or if the general care of the fish in that petco wasnt any good

 

[collins.jason.k]

You hear bad stories about Petco because no one ever tells the good ones. It's hit or miss with them, some stores have great staff who care, some couldn't care less. If you're following proper QT and disease prep for your fish it shouldn't matter where you get them if you observe them at the store and they aren't showing obvious signs that something is wrong.

 

[Blake509]

Depends on the Petco some as others have said are ran by hobbyist that take pride in their fish. I'd have no issues buying from my local Petco as long as qt and look for sickness prior to purchase.

 

[StatelineReefer]

Essentially buying at petco is like buying from a wholesaler. Be prepared to quarantine, to experience mortality despite all preventative care being performed properly, and to get very good deals on misidentified species.

It truly is like a small scale wholesale purchase.

 

[vetteguy53081]

So my local Petco seems to often have a better selection than the local LFS’s, but from reading around there seems to be a concern about fish health levels from a general retail store vs a specialized fish store.

Provided I QT all fish (QT tank, Copper, Prazi/General Cure) is there any reason not to go through them?

You have to determine how tanks are managed, determine health of fish by:
Its overall appearance (skinny, or good body mass) and if fins are torn from aggression
If its breathing normal or labored
Ask to see it eat
How it interacts with other fish in tank
Type of warranty

 

[srobertb]

So my local Petco seems to often have a better selection than the local LFS’s, but from reading around there seems to be a concern about fish health levels from a general retail store vs a specialized fish store.

Provided I QT all fish (QT tank, Copper, Prazi/General Cure) is there any reason not to go through them?

Same reason we don’t buy from puppy mills- even if that one “x” store has really good puppies and is kind . You will absolutely find a Petco here or there with someone who is dedicated and puts in the work but their success (you purchasing from them) means that 10 other PETCO’s keep treating saltwater fish and anemones like disposable inventory and have a disengaged random person “taking care” of them for $15/hr.

Buy online if you can’t get good fish locally.