Very dissapointed with Dan at COA

[FishKing5]

Got two good sized synspilum true belize from Dan at cichlids of the America's and I'm really not too sure what to think right now. The fish look very rough, super stressed, no color to them, and not what I expected to get at all. I know it can take time for these fish to settle in and show they're true colors but these really don't look nice at all. On top of that I ordered a breidhori from him that he has sized at 4 to 4.5 inches and specifically asked for a male and I got a maybe 3.5 inch fish so not sure how he could sex a fish that size positively. On top of all that, his shipping costs are quite ridiculous I think. I ordered my fish last week Friday so he could send them out Monday. He charged me for 2nd day air where I paid a good 65 dollars for that. Jeff Rapps charged me 55 and it was at my door the next morning. Dan's shipping was priority mail I found out which didn't get to me until today. Maybe I'm over reacting but I'm not very pleased with what I got here. Anyone else have any good or bad experiences with him?

 

[DarylMac]

You have a legit gripe about the time for delivery, but that may not be COA's fault.

Regarding the colour/appearance of the fish - it sounds like you've had them in your care less than 24 hours.

Give them time to settle in and reassess. They may be just fine in a day or two.

I wish you all the best and hope your fishes are healthy & colour up for you!

 

[ExoticGREEN]

You have a legit gripe about the time for delivery, but that may not be COA's fault.

Regarding the colour/appearance of the fish - it sounds like you've had them in your care less than 24 hours.

Give them time to settle in and reassess. They may be just fine in a day or two.

I wish you all the best and hope your fishes are healthy & colour up for you!

+1

 

[FishKing5]

You have a legit gripe about the time for delivery, but that may not be COA's fault.

Regarding the colour/appearance of the fish - it sounds like you've had them in your care less than 24 hours.

Give them time to settle in and reassess. They may be just fine in a day or two.

I wish you all the best and hope your fishes are healthy & colour up for you!

True. I suppose its pretty similar to when I got my fish from Don Conkels. They looked pretty crappy for a little while but a few weeks later they look amazing. They're definitely just real stressed right now after being in a bag for 4 days being shipped around

 

[NW Cichlid Keith]

Got two good sized synspilum true belize from Dan at cichlids of the America's and I'm really not too sure what to think right now. The fish look very rough, super stressed, no color to them, and not what I expected to get at all. I know it can take time for these fish to settle in and show they're true colors but these really don't look nice at all. On top of that I ordered a breidhori from him that he has sized at 4 to 4.5 inches and specifically asked for a male and I got a maybe 3.5 inch fish so not sure how he could sex a fish that size positively. On top of all that, his shipping costs are quite ridiculous I think. I ordered my fish last week Friday so he could send them out Monday. He charged me for 2nd day air where I paid a good 65 dollars for that. Jeff Rapps charged me 55 and it was at my door the next morning. Dan's shipping was priority mail I found out which didn't get to me until today. Maybe I'm over reacting but I'm not very pleased with what I got here. Anyone else have any good or bad experiences with him?

Ordered twice and was happy:
First time was three female Festae at 2.5/3 inches - said he could sex at that size - could have sworn two were males when they arrived, but all three ended up being females - I was happy. And a bunch of baby Trimacs.
Second time ordered a ton of Amphilophus, Parachromis and Vieja - asked for all males, but was rolling the dice on the Parachromis as they were smaller and he made no guarantees - he got all Amphilophus correct, most Parachromis wrong/female, and TBD on Vieja.
All fish both times were healthy and did not need to be treated. All fish were in good shape but the trimacs - he must have known as he threw in several extra free and their fins all healed fine. All fish were as advertised (TL) or larger but one - Amarillo was a little on the small side, but one of my nicest specemins. Shipping was fine and I seem to recall reasonably priced - but I am close in Atlanta, so that may of helped.
My only concern would be communication - not as quick/responsive and complete as Rapps

 

[aztsm]

+ 2 what Daryl said, but Id be pissed about $65 for 2 day priority mail regardless. I don't understand how all these vendors are varying so hugely on price on shipping. I realize there's more to it than the actual shipping charge, but I've been mailed overnight from FL to AZ with a huge box, styrofoam box inside, heat packs and 9 yards with insurance for $32. $15 from CA to AZ same situation.

The nice thing I always liked about 2 day priority mail is there's usually no issues at all receiving a fish in good health with that time frame, and the shipping cost are greatly reduced. $10-15 for me across country.

 

[keystonewma]

Fish will likely color up just fine. Even tiny fish look stressed when shipped.

At 3.5", you can sex most male breidhori by the shape of the head. Males will have a block head where females are more torpedo shaped.

 

[FishKing5]

Fish will likely color up just fine. Even tiny fish look stressed when shipped.

At 3.5", you can sex most male breidhori by the shape of the head. Males will have a block head where females are more torpedo shaped.

Ya he emailed me back and confirmed it was a male breidhori. I shouldn't of freaked out as much as I did. I've ordered a lot of fish in the past years now but have mostly ordered juvenile fish that don't look as bad when shipped since they're a lot smaller and not colored up. I'll be excited once these guys settle in though. The breidhori has a lot of personality already at day 1 and isn't shy at all. He's cruising around the front of the tank taking food already so I'm excited for that guy. I take back what I said about Dan everyone. I wasn't thinking before I spoke out. Fish just need time to settle in after being in delivery mode for 4 days. I know better.

 

[Fish on Fire]

I've only ordered once from him but my 3 honduran jags came in nice and healthy. They were all 5"+, as listed, and all males.

Seems like your fish were just really stressed. Hope they color up for you and would love to see pictures.

 

[ragin_cajun]

lemme tell ya.....Synspilum can look pretty sorry until they're 10 inches or bigger sometimes. I've had several of them, and they vary greatly. It's not like you just get one that colors up real nice, has a good head shape and body shape. I went through several until I got one I like.

I think female Breidohri females have a black splotch on the dorsal, so they're real easy to sex at a young age?