Anyone buy fish online?

[Thebetterhalf]

Hello Anyone buy fish from liveaquaria or reef2go online? Positive or negative experience? Also would appreciate any feedback from any online sites you have had a positive experience with purchasing live items (fish coral etc) THX!

[ghstrider]

liveaquaria is awesome and their divers den section fish are top notch specimens. they ensure the fish is eating and healthy before they list it on DD. also both liveaquaria or its DD section have a 2 week money back guarantee w free ship over 225 bucks.

i bought a scribbled angel recently from DD and he was eating from my hand by day 2

[christopher1260]

I have used BlueZooAquatics.com in the past. The fish arrived well-packed and in great shape. Additionally, they ship for free on orders over $140. That sealed the deal for me. I would highly recommend them.
Cheers,
CJ

[deep_sea_Dennis]

I have used both and have had no issues

[maynardjames]

i have purchased many fish from live aquaria. just got a powder blue from divers den today. they are one of the best

[strike2867]

No those sites just like showing off their fish.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by strike2867

No those sites just like showing off their fish.

What in the world does this mean? Nothing but good experiences with Live Aquaria and DD. A money back 14 day guarantee is a great thing when buying animals online.

[bluetang66]

it's hard to beat live aquaria, great quality and good prices.

[T-dub]

Liveaquaria all the way. Customer service is top notch too.

[Camel413]

I have also used saltwaterfish and have had great experiences with them.

[radicaltimes]

I,ve had good luck with saltwaterfish.com

[Makenna]

Originally Posted by strike2867

No those sites just like showing off their fish.

I believe he was being sarastic......very subtle though....LOL

[mike_cmu04]

Live aquaria is great i have ordered fish and coral from them and everything arrived alive and healthy. I have also heard they are very good with honoring their 14 day guarantee.

[saltwater4life1]

I have only heard good from LA, I would try them but i ether can't spend enough to get free shipping or don't want to spend 40 bucks to ship a few things... Although you know they're good when they offer a better Arrive alive guaranteed then my lfs.

[89Foxbody]

I haven't gotten fish but I have gotten a ton of stuff from Foster and Smith and their customer service is A+ top notch. Definitely would be my first choice if I got fish online.

[aleonn]

I'm considering online purchases because of their 14 day guarantee.

[Basketstar]

I just made a large fish purchase with LA that will arrive tomorrow. The 14 day guarantee sealed it for me. I have had an awful time keeping fish alive from the LFS, as much as I'd like to support the local economy, its just too traumatic to my tank and my family to have fish dying like that.

Has anyone had an experience where LA or DD did not honor the guarantee? If so, what were the circumstances?

[aleonn]

Now I can't wait until I get my tank and finish my cycle!

[89Foxbody]

The only problem I have is that my tank is pretty small so I'm not adding a ton of stuff at a time (only 37g) so I'm going to end up paying $50 for shipping on 1 or 2 fish or 1 or 2 frags. If they live, I just spent more than what I would have getting them locally (which I've had very good luck with, have a good relationship with a great LFS). The only time I benefit is if they die, which seems kind of morbid.

[travis32]

Originally Posted by 89Foxbody

The only problem I have is that my tank is pretty small so I'm not adding a ton of stuff at a time (only 37g) so I'm going to end up paying $50 for shipping on 1 or 2 fish or 1 or 2 frags. If they live, I just spent more than what I would have getting them locally (which I've had very good luck with, have a good relationship with a great LFS). The only time I benefit is if they die, which seems kind of morbid.

I agree, that's why I like the LFS. Don't have to pay for shipping, can view the fish, can request them to be fed. Can ask them to keep the fish for a week to make sure they do o.k. Etc.

I got some fish and corals from BluezooAquatics. All corals died, the fish were fine, except 1 fish got eaten by the other fish they shipped me, and the two fish that were fine, couldn't tolerate each other, so I ended up having to sell one of the 2 fish at a loss. So, I got 1 fish and no corals out of the deal. I forgot to report that the corals died within the guarantee period and get a refund. My fault, but, overall unless I got a large order to get free shipping, the LFS is actually cheaper for me and I know the fish store, it's a very good and knowledgeable salt water store.

[aleonn]

Originally Posted by 89Foxbody

The only problem I have is that my tank is pretty small so I'm not adding a ton of stuff at a time (only 37g) so I'm going to end up paying $50 for shipping on 1 or 2 fish or 1 or 2 frags. If they live, I just spent more than what I would have getting them locally (which I've had very good luck with, have a good relationship with a great LFS). The only time I benefit is if they die, which seems kind of morbid.

I would have to agree with your points there. Since my new 180g will be newly cycling, I would only be able to add fish a little at a time, and the shipping would be quite expensive. Plus my LFS has most of my fish list available. I'd purchase online for Diver's Den/WYSIWYG type livestock, though, as well as bulk clean up crew.

[Basketstar]

Just wanted to report that all of my fish arrived in superb condition and acclimated extremely well. I think my only challenge is going to be curbing the aggression of the old tankmates vs the new.

[LifeAquatic]

The only online experience I had was with a company called Aquatic Connection. It was the worst experience ever. All coral that was ordered arrived completely brown. The frags were super small and unhealthy. I dont mind paying a fair amount for frags or even a little extra for some good ones but my order was unacceptable. Also, they mixed up two of my frags with corals I didnt even order. The funny part... the bags were labled with corals that were cleary not that type of coral. Im thinking... did the guy who packaged these even look at them when he wrote the type of coral it was on the package?? When I called to explain the mix up they asked for pictures. After telling me the pictures I sent were no good they offered to replace the frags on my next order. LMAO!! Next order?? haha, wrong.

[Toddrtrex]

The 14 day guarantee from DD/LA is really nice, but I purchase my fish from there for the quality of the fish. My venustus angel was eating prepared foods minutes after being released -- those fish are notorious for being difficult to keep/get eating.

[Buffalo bill]

Just recieved my order from live aquaria one week ago and I'm very pleased. Everything is healthy and shipped very well. I feel this is the way to go. I will be placing an order at reefs2go as well. No worries