I found it odd that Walmart was able to get African Butterfly and Dojo loaches, when my LFS, that carries "sick-lids" of all sizes, glass knife, ghost knife, live rock, salt water corals, and on and on......... Is unable to get khuli or dojo loach, and hasn't had African Butterfly in the store in a 'long time' because they didn't sell well.
i started a thread similar to this last week on the newbie log.
Everyone was basically telling me what everyone here has said, that is be careful, look for deadies and cleanliness, ETC. Well, the local Wal*mart Supastore is GM'ed by a friend of mine, and i stopped him (today actually) to ask him about his fish dept, as i had never bought fish anywhere but my LFS or petsmart. He said not to worry about buying them from "his" store, for he has a college (bio majior) student who takes care of his tanks. she works 4 days a week and comes in on her off days about an hour (which he pays her for) to look after the fish. she normally works in the Lawn and garden section (right next door). when she is around, she hangs a sign with her name and where she is so people can readily find her. he also says she has fully trained the other L&G clerks on proper non-stressful ways to catch and bag our friends. thier tanks were sparking, not a deadie in sight!!! (well, one glass shrimp, but he looked like he JUST died.) i will buy fish from this Wal*mart, since management seems to care that someone is looking out for the little guys. I bought 4 glass shrimp, so we shall see....
Ghost shrimp are hard to keep at best, (they haven't lasted long in my tank)so don't judge walmart by this selection. My LFS is having a bad time with otos right now, but walmarts seem to be healthy...
I have a ghost shrimp ive had for 8mos. i really like him, he flares up his tiny little claws at the other fish at the slightest provocation!!! i bought him at my LFS along with 7 others. those other guys lasted 'bout 3-4 days... this guy must be a fighter!!
I had one lasted about 3 weeks, maybe my Dojo's got him, but yess I've seen them in action. Put up their dukes and swim backward while punching, too funny
they last about as long as it takes to drop to the bottom of the tank. Those puffers I got are a real terror squad. Its becoming a nusance becuase im having a hard time dealing with a messy tank and algae blooms, and my tanks too small for anything like a oto....snails are no good either.
Watching the puffers in action is like watching a scene from jurrasic park; they team up like raptors and the shrimp dont even have a chance...
lol