That agonizing moment...can you relate?

Scott Fellman · Feb 18, 2016

That agonizing moment...

So I LOVE going to my LFS. It's fun to see all the cool fish and corals, and even more fun to grab some! Yeah, not having a warehouse full of fish and corals anymore makes the whole process of acquiring fishes and corals and such even more enjoyable!

And, as you suspect, I purchase fishes and corals in manner that is, well, what you'd expect from a fish geek like myself...I try hard to have some idea about what I'm looking for before I run to the LFS, but you know how that goes...I mean, there are ALL OF THESE COOL CHOICES!

THIS one? Hmm?

Of course, I'll often find myself (after like an hour) deliberating between two choices.

Then, there's that..moment...when the employee approaches and asks those three fateful words, "Are you ready?"

And I'm like, "Uhhh...yeah.." (when the reality is that I'm still torn between the Flaming Prawn Goby and the weird-looking Halichoeres Wrasse...or whatever- and I'll...choose..in like a nanosecond (after that agonizing hour).

Ok, IF I found one at the LFS, and IF money were no object- this wold be an easy decision!

I think it's a game for the LFS employee.

They love forcing my hand. Man, I've gotten some awesome fish that way, though! Of course, I love online shopping, too, as it takes away some of this "bipolar nightmare" that I go through when shopping for fish at the LFS!

And don't think it's easier with freshwater fishes, just because they're "all brown" or whatever...I'm just as geeky...

Not just another brown fish...

Am I the ONLY one who thinks this way?

Do YOU have those agonizing mental gymnastics when buying new fish? Or, are you totally in control and like, "Well, of course, I would like 5 of those Squamapinnis Anthias..?"

How do YOU shop for fishes and corals?

I'm curious...well- fascinated, actually!

Let's here your "best practices", theories, and war stories...

Stay focused, it's almost Friday!

And stay wet!

Scott Fellman

Rybren · Feb 18, 2016

Of course, I'll often find myself (after like an hour) deliberating between two choices.

Then, there's that..moment...when the employee approaches and asks those three fateful words, "Are you ready?"

That's an easy one... I usually end up getting both

Thanks for coming on board and sharing your knowledge and experience.

Scott Fellman · Feb 18, 2016

Rybren said:
That's an easy one... I usually end up getting both
Thanks for coming on board and sharing your knowledge and experience.

LOL, thanks for the kind words...And I like your "solution" to this dilemma! A total fish geek response! Perfect. That's how "multiple tank syndrome" starts!

Rybren · Feb 18, 2016

Yup, been there, done that and had the angry wife to prove it.

revhtree · Feb 18, 2016

Funny stuff and YES that's me always! One of my main struggles is the fact that I can get it so much cheaper online. But then I struggle with the facts that I can see this fish, take it now, and help a LFS. But usually online wins!

ksfulk · Feb 18, 2016

I think its almost worse when you walk into the LFS with an idea of what you want. "Today, if they have a flasher wrasse that I dont have, I'm getting it." Then once you look around, you realize that the wrasse you want looks ok, but the new anthias that are in are GORGEOUS. Thats when I have a crisis moment. Do I get both... how do I rationalize buying four fish when I only wanted one... if Im setting u pa QT, I might as well get more than one...

Then when the employee walks up, I give myself a chance to take a step back.

"Can you feed these fish for me? Id like to see them eat."

Watching the fish usually is the make or break for me. I see them interacting, movign around and eating. Are they lethargic, do they bully, yada yada yada. Thats normally when I make my decision. Granted, sometimes it both fish, but usually I find something that makes the game-winning decision for me then.

Sure theres pressure, but the satisfaction once its all over.... priceless.

(Now how people can walk into the store, point out eight fish they've looked at for less than a minute and walk out again - that I'll never understand.)

Scott Fellman · Feb 18, 2016

Rybren said:
Yup, been there, done that and had the angry wife to prove it.

revhtree said:
Funny stuff and YES that's me always! One of my main struggles is the fact that I can get it so much cheaper online. But then I struggle with the facts that I can see this fish, take it now, and help a LFS. But usually online wins!

Yeah, I know how that is...And when the fish or coral is RIGHT IN YOUR FACE AND YOU CNA TAKE IT HOME TODAY...there's so much more pressure to pull the trigger!

Scott Fellman · Feb 18, 2016

ksfulk said:
I think its almost worse when you walk into the LFS with an idea of what you want. "Today, if they have a flasher wrasse that I dont have, I'm getting it." Then once you look around, you realize that the wrasse you want looks ok, but the new anthias that are in are GORGEOUS. Thats when I have a crisis moment. Do I get both... how do I rationalize buying four fish when I only wanted one... if Im setting u pa QT, I might as well get more than one...

Then when the employee walks up, I give myself a chance to take a step back.

"Can you feed these fish for me? Id like to see them eat."

Watching the fish usually is the make or break for me. I see them interacting, movign around and eating. Are they lethargic, do they bully, yada yada yada. Thats normally when I make my decision. Granted, sometimes it both fish, but usually I find something that makes the game-winning decision for me then.

Sure theres pressure, but the satisfaction once its all over.... priceless.

(Now how people can walk into the store, point out eight fish they've looked at for less than a minute and walk out again - that I'll never understand.)

We are so on the same page with this! I do the same thing- "Lemme see them eat..." And of course, they almost always seem to eat...which just makes it that much tougher, lol.

JerryO · Feb 18, 2016

Does anyone know the name of the first fish pictured above that looks like a Royal Gramma without the Purple?

JerryO · Feb 18, 2016

Found it, Gramma dejongi, from Cuba...maybe they'll become more available now.

Scott Fellman · Feb 18, 2016

JerryO said:
Found it, Gramma dejongi, from Cuba...maybe they'll become more available now.

Beat me to the punch! Just need the $$$ and it's all yours!

NanoReefer16 · Feb 18, 2016

Does anyone know where to actually purchase one of those from?

JerSaint · Feb 18, 2016

I can't go to a decent store and be there for less than a half hour! Most of the time I just look and start planning.

ctumblin · Feb 18, 2016

Working at lfs doesn't make it any easier. I get to see them as they come in and watch them for a week or 2. My checks go right back to the store.

Scott Fellman · Feb 18, 2016

ctumblin said:
Working at lfs doesn't make it any easier. I get to see them as they come in and watch them for a week or 2. My checks go right back to the store.

"Direct deposit", huh> LOL

Brandon Donaldson · Feb 19, 2016

Ya or when thay get that crazzy beutfal fish you go to buy it and the employee gets it for you and your Pumped but the owner know's you (I go like wince a week ) and like Woooo hay man that's not reef safe after baddling in my head about cost size will it get along or do I want a nother blasto instead or a new clown so I have a pair again then your disappointed and don't feel like geting eanthing but you do and once its in your tank you feel grate and glad you dident go empty handed

tommyng79 · Feb 19, 2016

If I see something I like I inspect, inspect, inspect. Then I'll look around and do full walk through till I'm back to the one I like. If I keep looking at it I get it.

Dextereef · Feb 19, 2016

I'm totally the dude that goes in knowing at least one item that I want. My thought process is always, " I know they have it (because I called or emailed the shop) and I will just run in and grab it and get out. 1-2 hours later I have to sneak back in the house with my 3-5 bags of water!

I love shopping online as I can peruse a catalog at my leisure. My wife, who rarely has anything super positive to say when I get a box that says "live fish" on it, did compliment Unique's blue boxes and I have to admit they did look pretty good compared to a regular dirty brown one. Hope everything is going well with the new venture.

sirmixa · Feb 19, 2016

Haha dextereef I feel you on that....tryin' to float my bags or drip out of sight, waiting until the wife notices my new buys in tank: "that's pretty I've never noticed that before, Me: "oh I just moved that up, I have to acclimate it to the light first" or "it's been hiding, it just is now getting used to the tank". Oh well, it's a little better than doing drugs I guess, but I'm starting to think it's not any cheaper.

I always look way into the tanks at the stores for the weirdest things and the guy always says "you want that? It's been in there for months". That actually makes me feel better about my choice, I hate newly delivered fish/inverts/corals, they are always the most difficult or unknown for me.

Also, good thing I have unlimited data on my phone, I look everywhere I can for info in the store if I have no idea or I don't trust the people helping me. I'm new so there's a lot for me look up= lots of data use

Scott Fellman · Feb 19, 2016

Brandon Donaldson said:
Ya or when thay get that crazzy beutfal fish you go to buy it and the employee gets it for you and your Pumped but the owner know's you (I go like wince a week ) and like Woooo hay man that's not reef safe after baddling in my head about cost size will it get along or do I want a nother blasto instead or a new clown so I have a pair again then your disappointed and don't feel like geting eanthing but you do and once its in your tank you feel grate and glad you dident go empty handed

Yeah..gotta be STRONG!!!