View Full Version : Buying Cichlids online
fauldsde
12-19-2002, 11:26 AM
I searched the forums for a already existing thread about this and found one but it didn't really give any good places out... so...
Does anyone know any good sites to order Cichlids online???
I want to get some dwarf cichlids... probably..
but I live in BFE and there are no lfs around... atleast none that have cichlids...
Thank you in advance for any responses...
AikidoGuy
12-19-2002, 12:23 PM
www.tangledupincichlids.com probably the best source youll find.
fauldsde
12-19-2002, 1:30 PM
I found a site that is pretty good...
www.liveaquaria.com
Thanks for the reply
If you want Africans, I hear that Armke's Rare Aquarium Fish is good.
Marcus
12-19-2002, 5:13 PM
If you are looking for dwarf cichlids such as Apistos and Kribs try these:
http://www.aquamania.ws/
I have bought from AquaMania before and the fish came in great.
http://www.geocities.com/mikefjacobs/index.html
Also, check out Aquabid, lot's of Apistos being advertised.
http://www.aquabid.com/
Lastly, make sure that FedEx and/or UPS run overnight service to where you live. If your in BFE they may not.
Scooter
12-19-2002, 6:31 PM
Apparently, Zack at Aquamania has ceased shipping fish for the time being (except current stock - if anything is left). Unless you know him personally, I'm guessing you won't get any fish from them for a while.
What kind of dwarfs are you looking for Africans, CA, SA?
For African Cichlids:
www.finnyas.com
Great guy .. answers all questions ;)
Ledslnger
12-19-2002, 7:35 PM
Scooter....you can pick stuff up from Zack...but he isn't shipping. Sounds like he will again in the future. He has some nice stuff. I got some petricola and signatus from him. Nice fish!
I like www.finnyas.com too! He has some awesome stuff! Great guy too!
Scooter
12-19-2002, 7:39 PM
Ahhh, thanks Ledslinger. I don't yet need anything badly enough to drive to Minnesota, so I'll wait until he resumes shipping. :cool:
goldfries
12-19-2002, 8:20 PM
why buy fish online? can't you just go to the next nearest town or city to find it?
IMHO, i don't believe in buying fish online as i would prefer to be able to choose the ones i like.
Marcus
12-20-2002, 10:32 AM
goldfries, that's all well and good but trust me when I say there is a much wider selection of fish on line. The area I live in has incredibly hard, alkalline water. As a result I can get ANY African Cichlid ever exported for the hobby. My problem? I really like SA cichlids. Since most require soft, acidic water pet stores don't bring them in. I have to find some other source and bring them in myself.
I also have an affinity for very expensive fish. This causes a couple of problems.
1. Most pet stores have a hard time stocking fish that retail for more than $30 or so because they sit on them for too long to justify the cost. Also, the average fish wholesaler does not carry really exotic fish which means the LFS would have to special order the fish from a specialized source. These special orders are typically small and the freight tacks a lot onto the cost of the fish making them even more expensive.
2. If a pet store orders fish from the same source as myself they have to mark it up and a $30 fish is now listed at a minimum of $60 and as high as $120.
Buying fish online has opened up a whole new world of fish keeping to many people. They can now get fish that before now were only availble via pictures in books and magazines. ;)
goldfries
12-22-2002, 8:41 PM
yes indeed the selection is wide, but how are the quality? they you always get one with nice color and structure?
Originally posted by goldfries
yes indeed the selection is wide, but how are the quality? they you always get one with nice color and structure?
Thats why you go with reputable breeders.
I've found that pretty much all the fish I've purchased from reputable breeders who are known for quality stock have far exceeded those found in the LFS.
Not to mention for cheaper prices ... even with shipping.
oscarlvr
12-23-2002, 9:15 AM
try this place. they get mostly wild, rare africans at a usualy high price and they ship everywhere, but consider its canadian price, with your good exchange rate, it would be a good deal, this ti the place im getting my frontosa,s from.
http://www.riftvalleyfishbreeders.com/
bob
wethead
12-23-2002, 2:06 PM
Heres another good site for cichlids.
They also have freshwater rays.
www.frybabies.com
fractionalguy
12-23-2002, 4:20 PM
Yea, I know what you mean about finding fish in certain
areas...I live in an area that is noted for hard water and
I still can only find the common variaties around here.
IMO buying fish online is a very good solution as long
as you know that the final cost will be a little higher
than you would normally pay, since of course the
unavoidable shipping costs.
I have many breeders here in California so it's not too
bad for me.
One breeder I can highly reccomend is,
www.neptuneaquatics.com ,he has a large variety of
Africans both Tangs and Malawis and his fish are
super quality, with many of his being F1's (babies from
wild caught parents), he also sells on www.Aquabid.com
so you can find some real deals there, as well as
from many other breeders around the USA.
Good luck and Happy Holidays to all.