Well, I have learned my lesson about buying fish on the internet. Research, ask for photos, be very specific in your expectations.
I found this guy on Aquabid (petpeve is the name there) and bought through his website (The Fish Den). He did not have stellar reviews on Aquabid, but since the negative was all from one disgruntled customer and the other reviews were positive, I figured everyone makes mistakes once in a while.
So I went ahead and ordered 6 discus. Well, here is the email I sent him last night. I think it pretty much says it all:
Dear Fish Den,
I wanted to take a moment to let you know how disappointing the discus you sent me are.
First issue was the sloppy packaging. Both of the Turquoises' bags leaked during shipping. One of the fish didn't even have enough water left to completely cover him. I feel very lucky we were able to save him.
Secondly, both the Cobalt Blue discus you sent are obviously stunted. As a breeder/dealer, I would think it would be obvious to you immediately that these are not good/healthy fish. Their football shape and large eyes are very evident and every discus keeper knows that is not the condition a responsible breeder should be selling.
Thirdly, the Pigeon Bloods are both peppered. Again, a responsible breeder would not send these fish to buyer unless the condition had been clearly communicated.
As I've only had the fish in my care for 4 days, I think it's obvious that you sent me sub par discus, not poor conditions on my part.
It's now apparent to me why your prices seemed so "reasonable". Had you communicated the fish you were sending at the prices you quoted were not genetically sound, that I was risking receiving below average fish, I would have nothing to complain about. Unfortunately for me, I trusted you and the reviews on Aquabid. Never again.
I found this guy on Aquabid (petpeve is the name there) and bought through his website (The Fish Den). He did not have stellar reviews on Aquabid, but since the negative was all from one disgruntled customer and the other reviews were positive, I figured everyone makes mistakes once in a while.
So I went ahead and ordered 6 discus. Well, here is the email I sent him last night. I think it pretty much says it all:
Dear Fish Den,
I wanted to take a moment to let you know how disappointing the discus you sent me are.
First issue was the sloppy packaging. Both of the Turquoises' bags leaked during shipping. One of the fish didn't even have enough water left to completely cover him. I feel very lucky we were able to save him.
Secondly, both the Cobalt Blue discus you sent are obviously stunted. As a breeder/dealer, I would think it would be obvious to you immediately that these are not good/healthy fish. Their football shape and large eyes are very evident and every discus keeper knows that is not the condition a responsible breeder should be selling.
Thirdly, the Pigeon Bloods are both peppered. Again, a responsible breeder would not send these fish to buyer unless the condition had been clearly communicated.
As I've only had the fish in my care for 4 days, I think it's obvious that you sent me sub par discus, not poor conditions on my part.
It's now apparent to me why your prices seemed so "reasonable". Had you communicated the fish you were sending at the prices you quoted were not genetically sound, that I was risking receiving below average fish, I would have nothing to complain about. Unfortunately for me, I trusted you and the reviews on Aquabid. Never again.