I want a fish that appeals to me..so unless i cannot buy it from a LFS i will order it through the LFS.. i know that on line ordering you can search out what you want but i have been dissapointed with the condition they are in when they arrive.. not always but it makes a big difference who you order from.. they need to have a very good reputation and good references.. when i cannot purchase from LFS because they are out of stock i order it usually through them.. i ask them before they order it if they are willing to hold it for me for a week.. i want to make sure it is healthy because i hate losing fish.. i hate bringing them back to LFS dead.. and when you do they won't have the replacement.. if i am purchasing a fish i see there i check the tank and all the other fish in the tank..if i see anyone not acting right i say hold that one for me ..i will be back next week to get it..if it is still alive and healthy i get it..but no matter how good it looks it goes into its own quarenteen tank for at least a few weeks.. i get to know the fish .. see what he likes or dislikes in foods and then i know it is safe to add him to my set up tanks.. by watching him for a couple of weeks i can learn his personality and have an idea where he will fit in.. also no fish from LFS or Shippers is fed much.. i get them healthy and eating good before they have to compete..I have made a few mistakes in the past adding "healthy" looking fish only to pay the price in losing or almost losing others... taking this precaution is one of the best things i learned..you cannot always see parasites.. you can not always tell from visually looking at a fish what is going on.. time does tell all..Just want to add that this is especially important with feeders..any one who goes to LFS and buys feeders and throws them into their tank is really taking a huge chance.. if and when i ever need feeders they are hanging out quite along time before i would use them.. they are always filled with disease... no matter what kind they are!!! I bought feeder mollys just to save them and they were dead in two weeks.. i thought of how many good fish suffered disease because someone did not take the time to make sure they were safe.sorry i am so long winded..
