Do YOU buy your fish online?

[NewFishKeeper]

Just a general wonderment! As far as i know i have one decent Lfs (not counting the evil pets at home) where i live, seeing as we dont drive it a costly excercise for us to buy fish as we have to taxi it home.

I know the obvious drawbacks from buying online (not seeing what your buying first) but seeing as i dont want anything out of the ordinary i dont see this as an issue.

So if you buy yours online what site do you use and how good is it ?

Also if your in my area at all and know of any shops then also let me know!

Thanks in advance

[MatsP]

Depending on where you live in relation to your good LFS, the taxi option is quite possibly no more than the shipping cost of the fish - it's quite expensive to have same-day/next-day-AM delivery, and you have no choice but to accept what you get, whether the online description is accurate or not. I prefer to see the fish before I buy them.

But I know that some of the members here, particularly those in the US where distance to the "local" LFS may be measured in hours drive if you live out in the real sticks, at least if you want something better than the pest-at-home standards.

--
Mats

[racoll]

pest-at-home standards

I hope that was deliberate Mats. I would imagine a 2" Pterygoplichthys sold for a 10g tank would become just that!

NewFishKeeper, what about public transport? It will take longer, but a good LFS will pack your fish correctly in polystyrene for a several hour journey.

[MatsP]

Yup, that was very much deliberate. I don't buy anything fish-related from them - I do make use of their bargains for catfood [the four-legged, out-of-water, furry, meowing variety] sometimes when the price is good.

--
Mats

[NewFishKeeper]

Guess you have a good point there Mats, the delivery charge is about the same as the taxi, im just impatient

Just called my lfs and they finally have panda corys in stock so my quest is over for the time being at least!!


Edit: Racoll i laughed at the pest comment They really are just that arent they! i sometimes feel so bad for the fish i buy some, only to remember why i dont shop there in the first place! doh!

As for public transport, im actually not sure i dont "do" buses and i know the trains dont go there

[MatsP]

I think flying is the only method of transport I haven't ever used for transporting fish. I've carried several on bicycle when I was younger, and bus, tube, train as well as car and van has all been used. I don't actually remember taking fish on the motorbike, to be honest. As long as the fish is appropriately packed, they will last quite some time in a bag. When I got my Callichthys from Wholesale Tropicals, they were in the bag for about two hours before I got home, and a bit longer before they went in the tank.

--
Mats

[NewFishKeeper]

ah thanks Mats this makes me feel much better, i always like to get them home as fast as possible but knowing its not gonna hurt them to be bagged a little while longer puts my mind at ease greatly

super info as always from you guys thanks!

[Martin S]

Not all shops have the facility, but if they have oxygen, bags filled with this will give you a longer window for transport than 'standard' air. Back when I worked at an LFS, we always added oxygen if requested, and would always suggest if the buyer stated he had a long journey home.
If you consider that they come from south america and/or singapore, so will be on a plane for 12+ hours, as long as they are bagged in minimum numbers and kept warm in a polystyrene box, a few hours is no big hardship.
HTH
Martin

[Bas Pels]

I never bought fish online, but I did call te reserve sometimes

regarding the baggin up, if the bag contains 1/3 water, and 2/3 oxygen, the fish will be able to spend over 24 hrs in it - assuming the amount of fish is not too much

For instance, I think 3 adult Ancistrus would require 1 liter of water

[NewFishKeeper]

Thanks for taking the time to reply, i guess i will just be patient and wait till i can go to the Lfs here.

Did a trip earlier cost me £10 in a cab for a round trip so not too bad 7 beautiful panda corys are now scurrying around my tank!!

[mummymonkey]

Shirley Aquatics isn't far from you.

[NewFishKeeper]

yeah we considered a trip to shirley but id want alot more cash than i currently have for that trip!!!

[Bas Pels]

yeah we considered a trip to shirley but id want alot more cash than i currently have for that trip!!!

I learned the hard way not to carry a lot of cash looking for fishes

However, my favourite shop happens to be near a bank - with cash withdrawal Not taking along cash does not help anymore

[NewFishKeeper]

haha well i just whip my credit card out which is not good!

rather have a bit of cash that way i can try and stop myself from buying too many things!!!