I agree that OVERALL petsmart/co are better than walmart. i was just saying that the petsmart/co near me are bad.
Wal Mart fish
- Thread starter MelJr
- Start date
The hyper-mega-Pet$martco-Walmart's that rule my area are miserable choices for anything living- if supplies are what you need, they are a bit cheaper than the LFS, but I would rather shop at the LFS to help keep them in business. And the fish there are better cared for, and in better condition. I used to live in a VERY small town that didn't even have a Kmart. The nearest Evil Walmart was an hour and half away. Yet lo and behold! They had three LFS that were the best I'd ever seen! They were so increadibly cared for, and always had a great selection of rare and common fish. The people there all knew what they were talking about too... I learned so much from them.
Then I moved to the Big City, and there's nothing... ONE LFS that actually is within easy driving distance, in a world of Pet$martco-Walmart's. I got into an argument with the "manager" of the "fish department" of Petco down the street from my house before I knew where the LFS was. She was arguing with me about the proper care and conditions of fish while all around her were putrifying tanks full of very obviously sick and dead fish! I asked to speak to her manager, and she huffed and puffed a bit, stating that she was the manager of that department. I laughed to myself, thinking that I had been keeping fish for almost as long as she had been alive. The Pet$martco-Walmart's don't hire people that know anything about fish, or care since they are getting half what they made somewhere else before they were put out of business and forced to get a job there, as LMOUTHBASS points out.
And yes, they will not change, so support your LFS or they'll be put out of business and then we really will be up S**t Creek with only a Pet$martco-Walmart paddle! If you have to get something and can't buy from a LFS, try online! That's what I'm going to do from now on.
Then I moved to the Big City, and there's nothing... ONE LFS that actually is within easy driving distance, in a world of Pet$martco-Walmart's. I got into an argument with the "manager" of the "fish department" of Petco down the street from my house before I knew where the LFS was. She was arguing with me about the proper care and conditions of fish while all around her were putrifying tanks full of very obviously sick and dead fish! I asked to speak to her manager, and she huffed and puffed a bit, stating that she was the manager of that department. I laughed to myself, thinking that I had been keeping fish for almost as long as she had been alive. The Pet$martco-Walmart's don't hire people that know anything about fish, or care since they are getting half what they made somewhere else before they were put out of business and forced to get a job there, as LMOUTHBASS points out.
And yes, they will not change, so support your LFS or they'll be put out of business and then we really will be up S**t Creek with only a Pet$martco-Walmart paddle! If you have to get something and can't buy from a LFS, try online! That's what I'm going to do from now on.
Wow I can't believe some of these stories. I've personally never even thought of going to Wal-Mart for fish and consider myself lucky to many quality stores near me. Within about 20 minutes drive I have 2 Big Al's, 2 PJ's, a Petsmart, and others I've never been to like Petcetera.
MelJr it is astonishing to see them put all those fish in one bag. I have never seen anyone do this and if I did I would probably flip on them.
MelJr it is astonishing to see them put all those fish in one bag. I have never seen anyone do this and if I did I would probably flip on them.
The Petsmart closets to me is pretty good. They have 3 really good people working. 2 college age girls and a guy that is about 40 and a little slow, but they all REALLY know their stuff. They have this job because they're aquarists themselves.
I had been to this walmart 3 or 4 times in the last few months and every time the same white haired guy was working. Probably because I only go there on the weekends. The tanks always looked good with clear water no dead fish etc. I thought the guy must know something about fish. That was until I told him I wanted 6 cories and he had to look at the picture to see what a cory was. Then there were some plecos in the same tank and he thought they were cories too. Oh well, won't be buying from walmart any more :shake: Thanks for the responses, I hadn't thought about the water quality after that many stessed fish being together. The good news is that 24 hours later all the fish that made it home uninjured are doing good.
I'd never buy fish from Wal-mart. For one, people do seem reluctant to help and second of all, fish are always sick. However, just like most places eg. Petsmart, Petco, and Meijer, you are trying your luck when you buy fish from them.
I do occasionally get fish from Petsmart. Most of the time, their fish look decent. Luckily their fish section is away from the cats litter section. Occasionally I can't stop myself from "browsing".
I do occasionally get fish from Petsmart. Most of the time, their fish look decent. Luckily their fish section is away from the cats litter section. Occasionally I can't stop myself from "browsing".
AH yes, Another walmart thread.
I dont like to buy alot of fish from there as well. although, some of my fish from there have lived for 3yrs +. ITs a miracle, But as i always say, buy a walmart fish you just "rescued" a fish.
IF i can get a job ill probably get fired from spending to much time in fish section
I usually just to go to a lfs, i have to travel 1hr to get to a petco and petsmart. thier fish section is just..just.. beautiful
I dont like to buy alot of fish from there as well. although, some of my fish from there have lived for 3yrs +. ITs a miracle, But as i always say, buy a walmart fish you just "rescued" a fish.
IF i can get a job ill probably get fired from spending to much time in fish section
I usually just to go to a lfs, i have to travel 1hr to get to a petco and petsmart. thier fish section is just..just.. beautiful
