buy fish online or lfs?

clownfish26 · 05/05/2006, 05:26 PM

HI would you recommend buying fish online or in lfs and if so what web sites do you use. Also if you use the local fish store what would you recommend when purchasing fish?

Randall_James · 05/05/2006, 05:29 PM

I prefer to buy fish locally for a number of reasons.

Where in MI are you? there are a lot of very good LFS's in MI

clownfish26 · 05/05/2006, 05:33 PM

I live in Algonac MI

Randall_James · 05/05/2006, 06:34 PM

So you are about 30 minutes north of Detroit? (my sister in law from hell lives in Chesterfield)

spoiledcats · 05/05/2006, 06:36 PM

I prefer buying locally because I think it's less stress on the animal, but some people don't have reliable local fish stores to buy from and need to shop online. The shipping is outrageous though, so if you have a friend in the hobby and can coordinate your shipments, you will save some money.

scrmbld33 · 05/05/2006, 06:55 PM

i have only bought at lfs, for one its cheaper(usually), and i like to watch the fish see it eat and my lfs will hold a fish for 2 weeks with a 5$ deposit, and by cheaper i mean my tang 3-4" was 35$ if i bought him online id save a little on price but still pay 35-45$ to ship

guyguerra · 05/05/2006, 07:08 PM

It is wise to establish a good relationship with a LFS, you WILL need them down the road. Are there stores near you? If so, I would analyze what you see in each one first. Then I would see how comfortable you are with them, and see if they are caring about your needs. Heres what I would want to see. I want to see a store with a lot of corals. Any store can buy fish, but a store with a lot of corals in stock means they are into the hobby. Then I want to see that when I ask a question, they are happy to give me answers and options. If you find that, then you should tell them that you are into the hobby, and that you want to establish a relationship with them. Tell them you'll buy everything from them if they would be willing to give you prices similar to the ones you see on line. If the store is smart, and sharp, they'll agree. That's the deal I made with my LFS, and we have now become friends. they stop by my house, they've helped me mount lighting, put in complex stuff like ozone, and they are willing to stock things I need. It will make this hobby a lot more fun when you can go hang out at the LFS and enjoy talking about all things aquarium. This is good advice, and I hope it helps. Look in my gallery, all that stuff and knowledge got there from research and help from my LFS. After a while, you'll build up trust, and they'll let you take something home to check out before you buy it, or be much easier on you when you want to return something. Good Luck, Guy

Andrew · 05/05/2006, 07:52 PM

You're taking a chance when you buy online. Most of the time, you don't get to see a picture of the fish that you will be getting. I myself buy fish from the lfs because I get to see the fish I'm buying in person and make sure the fish is at full health and has good coloration.

clownfish26 · 05/05/2006, 08:07 PM

I am planning on buying online from liveaquaria.com the fish are guaranteed for 14days and the local fish store has no guarantee so the shipping is like insurance.

Andrew · 05/05/2006, 08:10 PM

That would also be a plus. Well good luck and I would put the fish in a qt before going into the main tank.

Oaktonreef · 05/05/2006, 09:05 PM

If the same fish is available in you LFS (and they are reputable) then pay the little extra and buy it locally. Good LFS will quarantine and make sure that they are taking food...two things you wont get ordering online.

guyguerra · 05/05/2006, 10:13 PM

I have bought some nice corals from liveaquaria.com, you can find some corals there that might be hard to get, particularly the larger ones, at the LFS. Watch out for mantis shrimp, I got one in a coral from them, and dip the ones that can be dipped.

XtrmCHoPZ · 05/05/2006, 11:09 PM

I prefer to buy fish from the LFS. First off because most internet sites are very expensive. second you dont know exactly what youre getting if you order online! Third, what if it dies in the mail!!! THat would suck!!

Main reason is I prefer to see exactly what i get!!

Duchess · 05/06/2006, 09:52 PM

I've ordered twice from Marine Depot Live. All seven fish arrived in excellent shape and made it through quarantine with no problems.

Best of luck!

05/05/2006, 05:26 PM	#1
clownfish26 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: mi Posts: 34	buy fish online or lfs? HI would you recommend buying fish online or in lfs and if so what web sites do you use. Also if you use the local fish store what would you recommend when purchasing fish?

05/05/2006, 05:29 PM	#2
Randall_James Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 6,727	I prefer to buy fish locally for a number of reasons. Where in MI are you? there are a lot of very good LFS's in MI __________________ "It's a dog eat dog world and I feel like I am wearing milkbone underwear"

05/05/2006, 06:34 PM	#4
Randall_James Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 6,727	So you are about 30 minutes north of Detroit? (my sister in law from hell lives in Chesterfield) __________________ "It's a dog eat dog world and I feel like I am wearing milkbone underwear"

05/05/2006, 06:55 PM	#6
scrmbld33 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: south jersey 08050 Posts: 2,394	i have only bought at lfs, for one its cheaper(usually), and i like to watch the fish see it eat and my lfs will hold a fish for 2 weeks with a 5$ deposit, and by cheaper i mean my tang 3-4" was 35$ if i bought him online id save a little on price but still pay 35-45$ to ship __________________ a left over shrimp shedding is not "a sicilian message meaning luca brasi sleeps with the fishes" fish are friends, not food Current Tank Info: 90gal salt, 2 250mh 14k hamiltons 2 110 actinic, 127lbs LR,50lbs tonga 70lbs indonesia 7lbs tonga branch asm g3

05/05/2006, 07:08 PM	#7
guyguerra Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Naples, Florida Posts: 701	It is wise to establish a good relationship with a LFS, you WILL need them down the road. Are there stores near you? If so, I would analyze what you see in each one first. Then I would see how comfortable you are with them, and see if they are caring about your needs. Heres what I would want to see. I want to see a store with a lot of corals. Any store can buy fish, but a store with a lot of corals in stock means they are into the hobby. Then I want to see that when I ask a question, they are happy to give me answers and options. If you find that, then you should tell them that you are into the hobby, and that you want to establish a relationship with them. Tell them you'll buy everything from them if they would be willing to give you prices similar to the ones you see on line. If the store is smart, and sharp, they'll agree. That's the deal I made with my LFS, and we have now become friends. they stop by my house, they've helped me mount lighting, put in complex stuff like ozone, and they are willing to stock things I need. It will make this hobby a lot more fun when you can go hang out at the LFS and enjoy talking about all things aquarium. This is good advice, and I hope it helps. Look in my gallery, all that stuff and knowledge got there from research and help from my LFS. After a while, you'll build up trust, and they'll let you take something home to check out before you buy it, or be much easier on you when you want to return something. Good Luck, Guy __________________ "A man with a watch knows what time it is, a man with two watchs is never sure" Current Tank Info: 230 gal Reef

05/05/2006, 05:33 PM	#3
clownfish26 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: mi Posts: 34	I live in Algonac MI

05/05/2006, 06:36 PM	#5
spoiledcats Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Lehigh Valley Posts: 622	I prefer buying locally because I think it's less stress on the animal, but some people don't have reliable local fish stores to buy from and need to shop online. The shipping is outrageous though, so if you have a friend in the hobby and can coordinate your shipments, you will save some money.

05/05/2006, 07:52 PM	#8
Andrew Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 13,640	You're taking a chance when you buy online. Most of the time, you don't get to see a picture of the fish that you will be getting. I myself buy fish from the lfs because I get to see the fish I'm buying in person and make sure the fish is at full health and has good coloration.

05/05/2006, 08:07 PM	#9
clownfish26 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: mi Posts: 34	I am planning on buying online from liveaquaria.com the fish are guaranteed for 14days and the local fish store has no guarantee so the shipping is like insurance.

05/05/2006, 08:10 PM	#10
Andrew Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 13,640	That would also be a plus. Well good luck and I would put the fish in a qt before going into the main tank.

05/05/2006, 09:05 PM	#11
Oaktonreef Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 34	If the same fish is available in you LFS (and they are reputable) then pay the little extra and buy it locally. Good LFS will quarantine and make sure that they are taking food...two things you wont get ordering online.

05/05/2006, 10:13 PM	#12
guyguerra Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Naples, Florida Posts: 701	I have bought some nice corals from liveaquaria.com, you can find some corals there that might be hard to get, particularly the larger ones, at the LFS. Watch out for mantis shrimp, I got one in a coral from them, and dip the ones that can be dipped. __________________ "A man with a watch knows what time it is, a man with two watchs is never sure" Current Tank Info: 230 gal Reef

05/05/2006, 11:09 PM	#13
XtrmCHoPZ Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Fresno, CA Posts: 787	I prefer to buy fish from the LFS. First off because most internet sites are very expensive. second you dont know exactly what youre getting if you order online! Third, what if it dies in the mail!!! THat would suck!! Main reason is I prefer to see exactly what i get!!

05/06/2006, 09:52 PM	#14
Duchess Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Maryland Posts: 165	I've ordered twice from Marine Depot Live. All seven fish arrived in excellent shape and made it through quarantine with no problems. Best of luck!