Buying fish online...

[NGerdes]

As some know, I'm setting up my first planted aquarium. Anyways, I'm putting a lot of time into this so I want some really nice fish to go along with it. I live in a small town in the middle of no where. My local LFS, while keeping there fish very healthy, do not carry much of a selection in fish and will only get certian species like once or twice a year. My only other option is Wal-Mart (NO!!!). So I wondered about sites that sold fish online, and which ones have good reputations and don't tack on a bunch of extra shipping cost.....

[OrionGirl]

You can expect to pay for shipping. Moving live animals is a bit more costly than just mailing a letter. However, I don't think most are extragent--just standard overnight costs for a bulky, heavy object.

There are many FW online stores, but they tend to be species specific (ie, Jeff Rapps and Wrapped Up in Cichlids is outstanding, but he won't be your source for neons). I suggest you decide what you want, look for a source, then post back to see if others hear have experience with that website.

Another option is Aquabid.com Wide variety of fish, and you can review seller feedback to determine if you want to purchase from them or not. Several sellers there are members here, so that might help you out a bit.

[NGerdes]

I knew that I would pay a lot for shipping. But I do want a place were they will try to fool you with a low shipping cost and then tack on preparation cost, box cost etc... without telling you until after you bought it already... I did find a place called liveaquaria.com (I think that's what it's called) and it seemed pretty good. I'm looking for Dwarf Cichlids, and they didn't have that largest selection, but I liked the store a lot though. I'm thinking about German Blue Rams as one of my fish, but it says on the sight that they are hard to keep, but the only thing they say is large chemical swings. Is there anything else???

[OrionGirl]

There are tons of good places for dwarf cichlids. Here's a few:

http://www.geocities.com/mikefjacobs/
http://www.apisto.bravepages.com/apisto_Frame.htm

I would order from either place comfortably, and have never heard anything negative regarding shipping charges, or odd box charges. Most places will include a small box fee, which is often refundable if you return the box. Heat packs are a normal charge as well, depending on the season.


Rams are generally considered hardy once acclimated. Check the water parameters they are kept in, and compare them to yours. If there's a huge difference, you will need to take special efforts in acclimating them to your conditions. I think that the bolivians are hardier, simply because they are more likely CB, so don't have parasites as often.

[JSchmidt]

Have you asked your LFS if THEY will do a special order for you? Many will try to get you whatever fish you want, if they are available to them. Some fish are seasonally available, so the you might have a hard time getting them no matter whether you order them or the LFS does.

If you're ordering neons, make sure you get some domestically (usually Florida) bred neons; they tend to be much hardier.

Good luck,
Jim

[superstein61]

If you are looking for dwarf cichlids and can't get them from your LFS - I highly recommend:

www.alloddballaquatics.com

Eric has a nice selection of dwarf cichlids, his fish are always top quality and he is a great guy to deal with - no hidden costs, etc.

Aquabid could be ok - but its hit or miss.
There are some sellers on Aquabid I would definitely stay away from (including a few who promote themselves as Apisto experts)