Best Place for Cheap Live Fish?

kangadrew · 11/07/2015, 07:31 PM

Hey guys, wondering what the best place for qood-quality, cheap live fish is. Also, if you've ever heard of the Fish Room (in NC), how good does the online store compare to them? Thanks!

SeedlessOne · 11/09/2015, 09:46 AM

Live Aquaria

Reef Frog · 11/09/2015, 11:46 AM

For common reef fish, I've always found them to be a little less expensive locally, even with the state sales tax. I think this is the case because the LFS pays the shipping on a few hundred fish all at once, so that cost is spread out.

For quality purposes, I try to buy them on the day of arrival, before they're Unbagged and exposed to possible aggression, stress or pathogens in the LFS tanks. You don't get the chance to see them eat or swim around in the open, so there is a downside.

But this hasn't been a problem as both my LFSs get their shipments via same day shipping from major distributors and the time in transit is usually less than 10 hours. It works well for hardy fish, but I might not chance it with known finicky, expensive species.

11/07/2015, 07:31 PM	#1
kangadrew Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: North Carolina Posts: 112	Best Place for Cheap Live Fish? Hey guys, wondering what the best place for qood-quality, cheap live fish is. Also, if you've ever heard of the Fish Room (in NC), how good does the online store compare to them? Thanks!

11/09/2015, 09:46 AM	#2
SeedlessOne Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Pooler, GA Posts: 887	Live Aquaria __________________ 150g Display (48" X 30" X 24") bigger money pit..... 120g Display (48" X 24" X 24") money pit Current Tank Info: Custom 150g

11/09/2015, 11:46 AM	#3
Reef Frog Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Maryland Posts: 3,121	For common reef fish, I've always found them to be a little less expensive locally, even with the state sales tax. I think this is the case because the LFS pays the shipping on a few hundred fish all at once, so that cost is spread out. For quality purposes, I try to buy them on the day of arrival, before they're Unbagged and exposed to possible aggression, stress or pathogens in the LFS tanks. You don't get the chance to see them eat or swim around in the open, so there is a downside. But this hasn't been a problem as both my LFSs get their shipments via same day shipping from major distributors and the time in transit is usually less than 10 hours. It works well for hardy fish, but I might not chance it with known finicky, expensive species.