Where to get livestock

[Feet4Fish]

I am embarking on a large FOWLR build and soon will making a significant investment in livestock. I would like some opinions. Buy online or LFS? Online I have always had reasonable food luck and although sometimes a premium is paid typically a stout guarantee is provided. My LFS situation is sparse. There is one store who said he would get me a “good deal” and order whatever I want so long as I pick it up before he unbags it. No LFS around me offers any stay alive guarantee neither do any quarantine. I have my own quarantine program at home regardless. So what is your opinion ....LFS or online?

 

[Wirat]

Its nice to be able to buy in LFS because you're able to see them eat and swim before spending the money. But if your LFS wont let you do that then you might as well order online, or do whatever is cheapest. Best of luck in the search.

 

[408Dartfish]

I’ve had great luck with live aquaria the last 5 months stocking my tank. I’ve kept it pretty simple and stayed away from Tangs and angelfish. Dustin

 

[lion king]

If you a have good relationship with an lfs that would be best, one that gets their fish from a reliable source. Years ago I found some reliable online sources, but over the last couple of years I have been burned greatly. The one advantage to working with an lfs, besides just supporting your local small businesses, is that you will really see what you get. The ones I have worked with will special order anything I want, and unless it is an unusual or very expensive specimen, they allow me to refuse if it doesn't meet my requirements.

There are still respectable online vendors and you will likely use both sources. I will still order from Among The Reef. Qt is very important regardless of your source. I have 22 fish alive, and about half I have treated for one malady or another. I received velvet from the most popular online wysiwyg source online. One of the other largest more popular sources online, nothing ever lived, I mean nothing.

Sometimes you may save some money online, but sometimes when shipping is calculated the price different may not be substantial. Anything priced well below common prices..run.., I guarantee you will getting much more than you bargained for.

 

[lion king]

Another note, don't let the guarantees fool you. Suppliers keep their fish in very low sg with copper and other drugs to suppress disease. This does not do you any favors, most fish will out live the 2 week guarantee then die or spread disease to your tank. So my point is, don't let a guarantee dissuade you from purchasing from an ethical lfs.

 

[Feet4Fish]

Another note, don't let the guarantees fool you. Suppliers keep their fish in very low sg with copper and other drugs to suppress disease. This does not do you any favors, most fish will out live the 2 week guarantee then die or spread disease to your tank. So my point is, don't let a guarantee dissuade you from purchasing from an ethical lfs.

Wow. Such a great point! I live in Indiana and although we have few LFS I have been able to develop a great relationship with one I trust. Thanks!

 

[Jesterrace]

Its nice to be able to buy in LFS because you're able to see them eat and swim before spending the money. But if your LFS wont let you do that then you might as well order online, or do whatever is cheapest. Best of luck in the search.

I'd agree with this. Personally I have never ordered online, but my LFS at least guarantees arrive alive and will QT for me (I do have to pay upfront though). It sounds like you don't have a good LFS in your area though, so I would order online, but avoid fish like the Copperband Butterflyfish, Leopard Wrasses or any other notoriously poor shippers. There are some fish you simply have to see active and feeding before you buy one, because it literally is the case of picking the right fish.

 

[ruth howard]

I live in Muncie, and we have checked out Premium Aquatics in Edenburgh. They have livestock, as well as, Central Indy Aquatics at Keystone and 55th. Modern Aquatix on the southside of Indy has nice looking livestock, too.

 

[Feet4Fish]

I live in Muncie, and we have checked out Premium Aquatics in Edenburgh. They have livestock, as well as, Central Indy Aquatics at Keystone and 55th. Modern Aquatix on the southside of Indy has nice looking livestock, too.

I live down in Randolph county. I agree with you on premium and have recently developed a good relationship with Jeremy at Modern Aquatix. Those are the LFS in Indiana I trust most. Also like Gerbers in Dayton.