Buying fish @ LFS vs Petsmart, Petco, Ect.

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I never buy fish at my local Pets Unlimited due to the fact almost 75% of the fish have ich or there's dead fish on the bottom of the tank. I only buy fish that get dropped off by other customers that are to large for there care..
 
LFS are usually more expensive just like most specialty stores, but I still shop there. Just depends on what I'm looking for. Usually go to PetSmart when they have their $1 sale on tetras.
 
The one LFS in my area is able to order fish in for me, so I tend to just go there for my oddball freshwater fishes. I get the more common freshwater fishes from PetSmart since they're cheaper, and I go to PetCo for saltwater fishes since I can usually find fishes that can be further discounted that what's posted.
 
I have purchased quite a few fish from Petsmart and have had great results. These have been very healthy , colorful, high quality fish. The only real issue was that they are all pretty common fish. I purchased my Midas from them who looks like a total beast except he's a bit of a runt at only 10" after two years of being in big tank (120g 60x18x26), multiple large water changes per week, high quality foods and no overcrowding. Also he is freakishly peaceful, Ive never had a Midas this easy going. So yes I do like the fish at my local Petsmart. That being said I have half a dozen LFS in my area where I can get the odd ball cichlids or fish and I do buy from these on occasion when I want something different. But this is not really that big of a deal because I am looking for a group of fish that can get along and then that's it. No more fish to buy! Really, I mean it.
 
Depending on the store, LFS will have in stock, better fishes, the more oddball/rare species. Petsmart or Petco will sell very common fishes that you can get anywhere. It really depends on the person. You know the people who always post on the photo lounge at MFK will go to the LFS and shop rather than the Petsmart or Petco.

I tend to shop at the LFS for fishes because of their fish selection. It really depends on the store thou. Also, I like to support a local small business rather than a big chain store.
 
i never go to petsmart only for things like aquarium salt and coppersafe and some aquarium decor. But otherwise i wont buy fish from petsmart because they lack care for their fish. Last time i was there every fish in the freshwater section had ick and they dropped a tub of salt in there and let it be.

Reason for buying from a local fish store is because i like to support a family run business and the quality of their fish versus petsmart is a lot better, I can trust bringing a fish home from the LFS and drop in my tank without problems. Although i do thoroughly do inspect the fish before i do the drop but i can also trust my LFS with feeders as well because they actually do take care of the feeders at the store.

I just cant trust a store like petsmart anymore.
 
imo really depends on what your looking for... I've bought some nice "community fish" from petsmart/co in the past.. but when it comes to more delicate species/harder to find species I always go to my local ma/pa shops. Quality fish are not what petco/petsmart generally carry...
 
LFS is the way to go. alot of times you can tell just by looking at the fish that alot of LFS fish are healthier
 
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