lfs arowana shopping

[thechief]

okay well im planning on getting a silver arowana i have been doing all my hw and i think im ready for one of these great fish so shopping around at my lfs theres a few in the area i found one place really clean nice tanks lively active fish and beautiful arowanas for 50 bucks went to another place dirty tanks crappy filters pumps ect. the arowanas didnt look to great some were just sitting there not moving one had black all around the base of his fins and there was like one of two that looked okay and these ones were 35 im gunna go with the more expensive one out of instinct i dont want to buy a sick fish but let me know what you guys think do you think the cheaper ones would be a safe buy? let me know thanks!

 

[jclyde13]

I think it is a good decision to pay more for the healthier fish. You never know what kind of long-term troubles you could get yourself into by buying a fish that is already in poor health.

 

[JLSEF9]

i think you should just buy the one you like, my opinion

 

[warman98]

You should save the dirty one, that's what I would do.. It's not her fault to be in a dirty tank, someone fished her and now she has to live like that..

 

[Crispy]

see if you can watch them eat and pick the best eater.

 

[thechief]

yeah i feel bad for the one in the dirty tank but ive done this in the past with walmart fish and they got ich and killed off my other fish so idk ill see if i can see how the sickly ones eat but yeah i personally think the more expensive ones are in alot better health

 

[mikehagan]

What are the sizes at both stores? Definately a big part of the purchase. What tankmates will it have?

 

[thechief]

they are about the same size but i think the cheaper ones are skinnier and im not 100% sure yet most likely a clown knife a pike maybe peacock bass a bichir? i still have time so i dont know for sure

 

[sbuse]

go with the bigger fish that eats more when they offer food. more so since it is your first aro. you want to give yourself the best shot. have all the tanks you'll need ready to go. after you gain experience and are ready find a poor fish and "save it". hell i have been keeping aros for several years now and i still pick the best one for my money. the only time i will take some that are beaten up a bit is if i am going for a mix of aros. beaten ones are less aggressive for the most part hence they are beaten up by the others.

wait till the aro is large enough to get any tankmates. small aros die easy.

 

[thechief]

okay thank you so even if the tank mates are the same size as the aro wait?