Like bk828 said all of the large chain stores and even some of the mom and pop lfs have a large sump system that filters water from all the tanks. What this means to the store is that a water change can be a huge water change for the system as a whole and not needing to mess with each tank. It also means only needing to maintain the one large filter rather than lots of smaller ones. What it means to us is that any disease that is carried by the water is in every tank. If you see ich in one, every fish in the store should be seen as having ich until proven otherwise.
Are all fish stores disgusting??
- Thread starter ldymcbeth6
- Start date
I love my LFS :headbang2:, excellent store that's owned and run by a real fish guru. I got 8 african cichlids off him recently and he individually bagged them for a 2hr trip so they wouldn't fight in the bag. Usually up for a chat too. The shop might be tiny, old, messy and packed to the rafters but the tanks are clean and the fish are always the healthiest (and usually the cheapest) around. Only once did I see fish sick with ich but they had been quarantined off and were being treated.
I used to go to a big pet shop that had a big fish section, modern, very neat and clean, big range of healthy freshwater fish but the fish expert left and it was all downhill from there. Everything got a bit dirty, the marine section became a pitiful sight and I got some bad fish and some bad advice a few times so I never went back. I think just one knowledgeable and dedicated employee can make a huge difference in a large 'chain' type store.
I used to go to a big pet shop that had a big fish section, modern, very neat and clean, big range of healthy freshwater fish but the fish expert left and it was all downhill from there. Everything got a bit dirty, the marine section became a pitiful sight and I got some bad fish and some bad advice a few times so I never went back. I think just one knowledgeable and dedicated employee can make a huge difference in a large 'chain' type store.
Wow. It's good to know--I was beginning to think about all those fish out there needing rescue and I'm only one person with one little tank. I wanted to buy about 15 bettas in Walmart the other day---probably just to bring them home to die in peace. But I have no where to separate them. Poor guys. Besides, they'd just stock more. And I don't want to even think about the little frogs in that 1/2 cup of yucky water.
I'm in awe of you all who can say things like "1 out of 7" of your stores. Oh, to have so many choices....I live about 2-3 hours from Indianapolis--depending on where you're going there--I'll have to look into what's over there and then make it an all day affair to find fishies. From what I've seen it'll be worth it.
I'm in awe of you all who can say things like "1 out of 7" of your stores. Oh, to have so many choices....I live about 2-3 hours from Indianapolis--depending on where you're going there--I'll have to look into what's over there and then make it an all day affair to find fishies. From what I've seen it'll be worth it.
You should do a search for pet stores on www.yellowpages.com , I found a store about 15 minutes away I never knew existed. Let your fingers do the walking. You may be surprised. I have 5 around me but in in Northern Illinois.
I know how you feel, it seems most of the places around me don't seem to care about their fish, they are not all bad, but the ones that are, are usually the the ones that leave a lasting impression on you. Wal-mart by me is horrible, meijers isn't quite as bad, petsmart is ok, pet supplies plus has their tanks way overstocked and have fish that shouldn't be in the same tank together, then I have 4 local shops 2 of which usually have dead fish in their tanks tons of algae and their water levels are really low, the other 2 are pretty good.
thankfully my walmart does not have fish.
Back a number of years ago, just about every pet store for miles had fish infected with ich, it was bad. Now, I go to a pet store, havn't seen one case of ich. My petsmart is alright, but can be a source of bad info if you follow every bit of advice, like doing daily water changes during a fishy cycle will slow down the cycle :headshake2:.
Now a certain store on N Pleasantburg Dr next to Cherrydale is another story.
(for all you wondering, I live in Greenville SC)
Back a number of years ago, just about every pet store for miles had fish infected with ich, it was bad. Now, I go to a pet store, havn't seen one case of ich. My petsmart is alright, but can be a source of bad info if you follow every bit of advice, like doing daily water changes during a fishy cycle will slow down the cycle :headshake2:.
Now a certain store on N Pleasantburg Dr next to Cherrydale is another story.
(for all you wondering, I live in Greenville SC)
irishspy
There is a stargate in my aquarium.
Do a search here on AC for Indianapolis. I'd swear there was a relatively recent post in which someone linked to a great store near Indy.
I'm in Canada and the biggest problem I see is internal parasites and bites taken out of tails. The bad stores with the deals don't look at quality, they look at where they can get the fish cheapest. There's one large chain here which adds a med for internal parasites and they have good staff. The staff have no idea what this med is so I have a feeling it's something they're not allowed to sell here. I've read that most fish are bred outside and they'll all come with parasites. Do any of you treat all of your new additions for parasites and with what?
I think for good fish the best way to go is the classified's or fish clubs. Locally bred and usually at a good price. I don't know about the rest of you but I'll go into a fish store for food, see a fish I like and I know it's likely got parasites but I'll come home with it, give it some Pepso food and hope for the best.
I think for good fish the best way to go is the classified's or fish clubs. Locally bred and usually at a good price. I don't know about the rest of you but I'll go into a fish store for food, see a fish I like and I know it's likely got parasites but I'll come home with it, give it some Pepso food and hope for the best.
We are in Utah, and I've got to say that one of our local department stores has got to be the worst when it comes to fish. In fact, just recently they shut down 3 fish departments across the city. I never bought any fish from there, I didn't dare. As far as the local pet stores go, we've ran into only one that was as deplorable as the department store, interestingly enough, they do a great business. I don't understand it. There are one or two mom and pop places around here that are great stores and that we truly trust. It's too bad they can't all be that way.
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