Current Online Fish Stores

Grumpy Vet · 01/02/2019, 04:43 PM

Hi All.

I haven't posted here in quite some time. I've had a couple tanks up and running for many years and over time have had some attrition of creatures. I'm looking to place an order for a few fish, some inverts and other critters but haven't really done so in a very long time. I used to use Flying Fish Express, Reeftopia and a couple others but I thought I'd check in to see what the community is currently recommending. I thought about a post in the online vendor part of the forum below but it didn't seem to have much activity. If this post is not appropriate here, please move and accept my apology.

I'm in the Washington DC / Maryland area so if there are any new LFS maybe that I should check out later, I'd love to hear about that too. I've heard there is a new one out in Frederick but haven't been there. I've never had much luck w/ House of Tropicals or the one down in Silver Spring....can't recall the name of it.

Anywho, thanks for any information you can give to steer me in the right direction.

GV

Cliving1 · 01/02/2019, 06:32 PM

I would highly reccomend liveaquaria for online purchases.

Grumpy Vet · 01/02/2019, 07:38 PM

Thanks Cliving1. Seems like they keep acquiring small businesses but good to hear they have your vote. I’ll start there.

Fourstars · 01/03/2019, 07:37 AM

Whats a small business? LA does a pretty good job and now includes shipping on purchase over 99.00 dollars. I’d buy local but closest shop is over 2 hrs from me.

Dmorty217 · 01/03/2019, 09:13 AM

Liveaquaria will give you a 14 day money back guarantee which you will find no where else but I will warn you that the fish and inverts come directly from Quality Marine and no one at LA ever sees or touches them. Divers Den on the other hand observes and acclimates the fish and inverts to aquarium life for 14 days before putting them for sale. Diver Den in located at the Liveaquaria headquarters in Wisconsin and are observed and touched so to speak by the staff there and they won't send out a fish or invert if they notice something isn't right unlike Quality Marine.

EMeyer · 01/03/2019, 09:18 AM

LiveAquaria
BlueZooAquatics
SaltWaterFish.com

All three are top notch both in quality and customer service. Without exception, if something died, they have refunded the cost. Often without even requiring a picture (when a tiny fish dies, its often eaten by the CUC before it can be photographed)

marzvt · 01/03/2019, 03:19 PM

I have had really good luck with saltwaterfish.com.
Always make sure you have the fish held at fedex and go get them. Its not as bad where you are but in Vermont fish being left at the door is guaranteed death.

homer1475 · 01/04/2019, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marzvt

I have had really good luck with saltwaterfish.com.
Always make sure you have the fish held at fedex and go get them. Its not as bad where you are but in Vermont fish being left at the door is guaranteed death.

+1
Greg @ bluezoo actually calls me when temps are going to be low and tells me they will be held at the local fed ex. Of course he also gives me the option to choose a different day and have them shipped directly to my house.

TheCamaroShow · 01/04/2019, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EMeyer

LiveAquaria
BlueZooAquatics
SaltWaterFish.com

All three are top notch both in quality and customer service. Without exception, if something died, they have refunded the cost. Often without even requiring a picture (when a tiny fish dies, its often eaten by the CUC before it can be photographed)

This!

marzvt · 01/05/2019, 06:50 AM

Homer1475. That’s excellent. I well keep them in mind next time I’m ordering fish

bullock111 · 01/05/2019, 07:31 PM

Its a bit far north for you but look at frags to fishes, he is a small operation but does ship and so far all my livestock has come from john. everthing he has always seems happy and healthy. has also stands behind what he sells very well

Bobbitworm13 · 01/06/2019, 06:41 AM

Kpaquatics is great for Caribbean fish and inverts, that’s where almost everything in my tank has come from

Grumpy Vet · 01/06/2019, 07:01 AM

Investigating now. I really appreciate you all taking the time to share your thoughts. I’m sure one of those will be a great fit for what I need. Thank you.

GV

brianr24 · 01/06/2019, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bullock111

Its a bit far north for you but look at frags to fishes, he is a small operation but does ship and so far all my livestock has come from john. everthing he has always seems happy and healthy. has also stands behind what he sells very well

Hey that’s good to know. Thx. I’m not far from there and I check out there site. They have excellent shipping rates for local pa. As long as livestock is healthy.
Thx again

01/02/2019, 04:43 PM	#1
Grumpy Vet Reefer Join Date: May 2001 Location: Ellicott City, MD Posts: 282	Current Online Fish Stores Hi All. I haven't posted here in quite some time. I've had a couple tanks up and running for many years and over time have had some attrition of creatures. I'm looking to place an order for a few fish, some inverts and other critters but haven't really done so in a very long time. I used to use Flying Fish Express, Reeftopia and a couple others but I thought I'd check in to see what the community is currently recommending. I thought about a post in the online vendor part of the forum below but it didn't seem to have much activity. If this post is not appropriate here, please move and accept my apology. I'm in the Washington DC / Maryland area so if there are any new LFS maybe that I should check out later, I'd love to hear about that too. I've heard there is a new one out in Frederick but haven't been there. I've never had much luck w/ House of Tropicals or the one down in Silver Spring....can't recall the name of it. Anywho, thanks for any information you can give to steer me in the right direction. GV

01/03/2019, 09:13 AM	#5
Dmorty217 Saltwater Addict Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Vandalia OHIO Posts: 11,624	Liveaquaria will give you a 14 day money back guarantee which you will find no where else but I will warn you that the fish and inverts come directly from Quality Marine and no one at LA ever sees or touches them. Divers Den on the other hand observes and acclimates the fish and inverts to aquarium life for 14 days before putting them for sale. Diver Den in located at the Liveaquaria headquarters in Wisconsin and are observed and touched so to speak by the staff there and they won't send out a fish or invert if they notice something isn't right unlike Quality Marine. __________________ Fish are not disposable commodities, but a worthwhile investment that can be maintained and enjoyed for many years, providing one is willing to take the time to understand their requirements and needs Current Tank Info: 625g, 220g sump, RD3 230w, Vectra L1 on a closed loop, 3 MP60s, MP40. Several QTs

01/02/2019, 06:32 PM	#2
Cliving1 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Posts: 1,923	I would highly reccomend liveaquaria for online purchases.

01/02/2019, 07:38 PM	#3
Grumpy Vet Reefer Join Date: May 2001 Location: Ellicott City, MD Posts: 282	Thanks Cliving1. Seems like they keep acquiring small businesses but good to hear they have your vote. I’ll start there.

01/03/2019, 07:37 AM	#4
Fourstars Registered Member. Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Third rock Posts: 291	Whats a small business? LA does a pretty good job and now includes shipping on purchase over 99.00 dollars. I’d buy local but closest shop is over 2 hrs from me.

01/03/2019, 09:18 AM	#6
EMeyer Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 173	LiveAquaria BlueZooAquatics SaltWaterFish.com All three are top notch both in quality and customer service. Without exception, if something died, they have refunded the cost. Often without even requiring a picture (when a tiny fish dies, its often eaten by the CUC before it can be photographed)

01/03/2019, 03:19 PM	#7
marzvt Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Vermont Posts: 52	I have had really good luck with saltwaterfish.com. Always make sure you have the fish held at fedex and go get them. Its not as bad where you are but in Vermont fish being left at the door is guaranteed death.

01/05/2019, 06:50 AM	#10
marzvt Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Vermont Posts: 52	Homer1475. That’s excellent. I well keep them in mind next time I’m ordering fish

01/05/2019, 07:31 PM	#11
bullock111 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: maryland Posts: 55	Its a bit far north for you but look at frags to fishes, he is a small operation but does ship and so far all my livestock has come from john. everthing he has always seems happy and healthy. has also stands behind what he sells very well

01/06/2019, 06:41 AM	#12
Bobbitworm13 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Russell Springs, KY Posts: 330	Kpaquatics is great for Caribbean fish and inverts, that’s where almost everything in my tank has come from

01/06/2019, 07:01 AM	#13
Grumpy Vet Reefer Join Date: May 2001 Location: Ellicott City, MD Posts: 282	Investigating now. I really appreciate you all taking the time to share your thoughts. I’m sure one of those will be a great fit for what I need. Thank you. GV