LFS vs. Petsmart

[MoparORnoCAR]

I am in need of some opinions! I think I am in the right place :laugh:

I went to all the fish retailers in my area to determine where I would buy my fish and supplies after my cycle was complete.
First I went to PETCO, the tanks looked HORRID and very over stocked! no go there

then I went to two local fish stores. the first deals mainly in salt water fish. I spoke with the owner and he assured me he could order anything I wanted at no extra cost to me. he said he had limited stock because most of his tanks are set up for salt water....I feel I would like to observe fish before I buy them so I am hesitant to order...any thought on that?

The second LFS had a very good variety with little over crowding in the tanks. so far they are on the top of my list...

Now here is where it gets difficult. PETSMART just opened a location out here and hands down they had the best looking stock in both fish and plants! I will keep an eye out on them to see if conditions deteriorate but they looked very good when I was there. they had oranges and zuchinii (sp?) in many of the tanks and the fish were happily feeding. Does anyone here buy from petsmart? any good/bad stories to tell?

I would like nothing more than to support my small local fish store but I dont want that to get in the way of getting better buys! any thoughts on this matter would be appreciated.

 

[Ghost_knife]

our petsmart Rox my sox! they have supurbly clean tanks and no over stocks, the staff is knowlegeable. I like them. the fish are happy and live along time

 

[carttman]

I shop at in both my LFS and local Petsmart. It depends on what I'm looking for at the time plants, food, supplies, etc. I usually get my plants at my LFS because they can get hard to find varieties and I usually get my food and supplies at Petsmart because they have better prices.

 

[gman52]

my petsmart is wonderful also

 

[Aries]

Petsmart in our area is GREAT. Better than most LFS by far. They may not be the most knowledgeable, buy they DO learn from customers. Their tanks are clean and I see very few mortalities.

Downfall, mine does not special order ANYTHING. Only my LFS does, but their tanks are not always the best.

Also, if you are ordering expensive fish, ponder online stores - but shipping is expensive. Usually ~$20.00 or so. I have not personally tried it but...

I would NOT hesitate buying from Petsmart if I like the store.

Aries

 

[nomadofthehills]

There tanks are so clean because of their filtration. The one I worked at had a 8 foot tall, 4 foot wide fluidised bed filter. Not to mention a huge protein skimmer, and a dentrification filter.

 

[redtail11]

The big problem with Petsmart is they do not offer much in the way of unique fish. They have a weird habit, for example of only ordering male drawf grouramis because the females are not gaudy.

The health of their fish do seem to be a bit under that of LFS, but they have put so much financial pressure on LFS. I think because the hobby is decreasing. Lots of stores here going under. Even good ones are struggling.

I want the LFS to still be around. With as little as I spend I never could figure out how they stay in business.

I buy unique fish and any common ones LFS has in stock from LBS.

If I still don't have the mix of fish I want, then I go to Petsmart, for example, for mickey mouse platies.

Just don't confuse Petsmart with Petco. Petsmart fish seem healthier than petco.

 

[dsbrasw]

My local Petsmart is wonderful. I visited several times to observe fish and tanks and talk to the employees. They have several employees very knowledgable on fish and their tanks are immaculate. The drawback is they don't special order. They also have a 14 day guarantee on their fish. I have also been into another Petsmart about 10 miles away and the tanks were horrendous! Spend some time talking to employees and looking around, you'll know when you find the right place.

 

[nursie]

the local petsmart here isn't bad. I kniow for a fact they do look for people that have fish to work there..my daughter applied there this summer and she didn't get a job because she admitted the tanks at home are mine, lol.

that said, I think you have to evaluate each store on its own merits and how they take care of the stock. I don't worry so much about some crowding in the fish store tanks as that is not their permanent home. Your tank is.
I do however object to petsmart sign on the pacu tank that says perfect for desktop aquariums....

 

[Hrafnkel]

I've gotten most of my fish from Petsmart, and have been very pleased. There were a few fatalities, but on the whole their fish are very healthy. They especially seem to have quality knife fish. Healthier than any other store I've gone to.