Walmart for fish?

M

moePR15

AC Members
Jan 5, 2010
38
0
0
NY
Has anyone shopped at Walmart for fish and had sucess? I have avoided Walmart like the plague in the past but i just recently had a friend that bought a few tetras from there and they seem to be doing fine, not that they can't go downhill fast, but its been about a week. She said that they have a 90 day return policy! thats crazy! and they are pretty cheap. I was thinking about picking up a few more danios for my 35 gal and was thinking about trying them out but im kinda nervous about getting any diseases they may have and if it spreads through my tank i dont want to lose any of my babies. What do you guys think, have you ever had any sucess with them? do you think i should try them out?
 
No matter where you buy your fish from, you should quarantine them before adding to the main tank.

The source of the fish big box stores and Walmart sell is questionable, but without knowing the source for certain who knows.

I'd spend the extra money in a LFS before putting my fish friends at risk to save a buck.
 
I wouldn't trust them. But if you do decide to get them, I'd get a small quarantine tank along with it where you can place the fish in to monitor them before putting them in your big tank.
 
Chrisinator said:
I wouldn't trust them. But if you do decide to get them, I'd get a small quarantine tank along with it where you can place the fish in to monitor them before putting them in your big tank.
Click to expand...

QT ANY new fish... a plastic tote works well enough for a few weeks before going in any main/community tank.

I have bought fish from wal-mart and my own LFS... I prefer wal-mart.

Here's my List...


  • 2 P. socolofi (4 weeks ago)
    p11933444506059.jpg

  • 2 T. meeki "Firemouths" (6 months ago)
    p11933614346687.jpg
Just look for healthy ones...and QT.
 
I think if you look for healthy fish and quarantine then you should be fine. If you want high quality fish you might need to go somewhere else but for something like danios, I think you'll be fine.
I just got some socolofi from Walmart that in QT. They had been there for over a week but still looked really healthy.
 
Always QT..regardless of where you buy from...
 
I dont QT for that long when its a store i trust but wal-mart i would recommend a 2 week absolute minimum.

I bought 6 zebra danios(longfin) from wal-mart and 2 of them have deformed bodies but are still alive, and one had a missing eyeball but he jumped out while in QT for an abrasion. 2 of the longfins are in great shape and look really nice. but the dude gave me one regular finned danio but i dont really care, hes doing good too.

I say its a hit or miss with wal-mart. try and ask them if you can net out your own fish because at mine, theres only a few people who are supposed to work with fish but last time when i went to get shrimp(26 cents!) no one was there and some guy that worked there, but clearly not in the fish dept, had to do it. he dropped one of the shrimp on the ground and took a while to pick him up.

So its your call :)
 
It is not always the store, but the people taking care of that dept. There maybe some very "smart ***********s" working at Walmart too.

I have definately spoke to "not-too-bright" people at "Real LFS" too.
 
QT no matter where you buy them from. It's hit or miss from store to store, as is with ANY store no matter if it's chained or privately owned. Take time to look at the fish and the tanks (not only the ones youre looking but others as well to see the cleanliness/healthiness) Be picky about what they're pulling out. You're the customer and Wal*mart's motto is "customer must win" If no one's around, pop the bottom drawer and take a peek at their sump. See how well the filter and prefilter look. That'll give you a good basis on how well they look after their tanks ;)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom