The value of a good LFS

[ReefAquariumShopIndy]

Owning an lfs at times is extremely enjoyable at times. Others not so much. It's amazing what we're expected to put up with and accept that no other business has to.

 

[Sea in the City]

I purchased this captive bred, baby, Coral Beauty (C. bispinosa) yesterday evening. This morning he is out and about picking and took some mysis. (Knocking on wood.) The other tank mates are not particularly aggressive, all of whom have been in the 45 gal cube from 6 months to two years.
When challenged by the Tailspot Blenny this little guy replied with the classic Centropyge tail flip.

Lucky, perhaps, but more likely a good fish from good local fish store. When I had several large tanks I had a pretty good quarantine system. Now everything is down sized and I have this one small cube and no room for a quarantine system. Honestly this 45 gal. tank is as much fun as any aquarium I have had. Much of that is due to the LFS who takes great care of their specimens. All fish are quarantined for two weeks. They are medicated and given many food types and almost all are eating.
This is the sixth fish I have purchased from this store over two years and all are alive and well. Their advice is spot on and all the staff are pretty knowledgeable. I don't think you can overvalue a good LFS in this hobby, no matter what your experience level.

Beautiful fish. Congrats

 

[Sea in the City]

I would say the LFS specimens are a bit vanilla, but they will get fish in by request. Personally, I don't think my 45 cube is a home for the rare and difficult specimens. I'm happy with a healthy little slice of reef, with proper sized fish and corals.
I have no problem paying more for a fish I can see eating and interacting. There really is a lot of satisfaction in a fish that is out and about, establishing territory, eating and looking healthy on day one.
Everything in this 2 year old tank is from one store (I bought the tank from them as a used display tank). When the Star Polyps or the the Green Fuzzy Mushroom divide or get to big, I just "harvest" them and the LFS takes them for store credit. The above Coral Beauty was not in the tank at the time of this photo.
(Missing in the shot is the male Fire Dartfish. The pair has spawned once, but no babies.)

Beautiful Tank SMB!

 

[Humblefish]

I would LOVE to have a brick & mortar LFS where I could interact with customers face to face. But after working intimately with several LFS that I advise, I've concluded it would be financial suicide for me to do so. Sign of the times I guess...

 

[jphillips]

It also helps a lot that its a healthy captive bred fish from Biota

 

[Maritimer]

The LFS 'round me don't QT - though at the prices some of them charge, you'd think they had. I live in Connecticut's high-rent district though, so I guess that's pretty understandable. LFS have to pay for square footage, including square footage that's dedicated to people walking around, looking at fish they won't buy. They've gotta keep people around (and paid) who can offer coherent answers to the questions of newbies and chat with reefers who've come in for a visit, rather than getting busy with the grunge at the back of the tanks. They've gotta keep the display (more real estate from which little will be sold today) looking inspirational.

I "get" why the fish there cost a bit more than the ones at LiveAquaria.

I also get to see the fish move in the water, and possibly even see whether it'll take mysis shrimp dumped in front of it. That has value to me.

~Bruce, who's on DD's list, but hesitates to order livestock online.

 

[dh350twin]

From my experience in my area. Around the DelMarVa area. LFS are not up to par. However I don't know how they could be. The ones that make it not only sell marine life, they also sell freshwater, ponds,birds,reptiles, etc etc and all dry goods. These LFS should survive. However they are jam packed with things for sale and do not have the room to run every fish through qt. I would say 9 out of 10 do not properly qt. Even if they say they do they don't. You can't qt fish and have new fish sitting next to qt fish without parasites spreading. They just don't have the room. I hope Humblefish your wrong and that we do not see the LFS go away.
Hopefully they will figure out how to adapt. Maybe instead of qt there fish they should sell someone the qt equipment cheaper when they buy a fish and hand them a printed how to qt there own fish. At least then there trying to make a difference. Just my 2'cents

 

[Motthunter]

A LFS is a great resource although recently I was absolutely ripped off by one. Do yourself a favor, background check the store before making a major spend. I don't mean internet trolls who leave bad reviews out of spite. Check the better business bureau and local courts for past law suits. Here in town there are many choices and one I absolutely will not do business with ever again and will certainly let people know my opinion if asked. Triton Marine near me is the kind of LFS everyone should love to have in town. They are extremely knowledgeable, fair, honest, and don't try to sell you stuff just because it is more profit in their pocket rather than the best choice for your needs.. Oh, and beautiful coral and a great quarantine system before they sell.