Help-Koran not eating

[Aquattro]

Originally Posted by Pansy-Paws

Let's assume the truth is being told until we learn otherwise is my motto.

Good motto. Doubt it has any application to the ornamental fish trade, but good motto nonetheless. Naesco is correct to believe a LFS owner might "misrepresent" the origin of a fish. However, I doubt any LFS (barring King Ed's) would show you an invoice to reassure you they really aren't lieing.
Spend time at the fish store looking at fish. If you see one you like, look at others for comparison. You will train yourself to see a healthy fish. Other than that, you pays yer money and you takes yer chances.

Just for fun ('cause I'm that kinda guy), I'm going to go to my nearest LFS and demand to see an invoice. I'll keep my watch in stopwatch mode to see exactly how long it takes for them to kick me out. I'll report back. :P


P.S. I'm not sure what to look for on an invoice.

[BCOrchidGuy]

Point of origin, don't forget, fish may be shipped to the contenental US and then held for a short period of time, especially if flight connections are hard to make. I've only heard of this the odd time.

There should be something on it that either has the shippers name/location or the actual point of origin...

PS don't demand to see the invoice.. ask nice... lol

Its a hard call though some shippers may use different drugs/chemicals some may not.... a friend of mine breeds some of the genetically best guppies in the world, he was offered $500 for a trio of his fish, he shipped them to Hong Kong... low and behold, they were lost for 11 days. He uses Kordons Amquel and Novaqua when he ships fish... guess what, the fish were still alive, .... hungry but alive... can you imagine... 11 days... wow I still don't believe it

[naesco]

``You pays your money and you take your chances`
That might be right if your at a casino.
But if you are forking out good money for quality fish you have a right to know where it came from. If any LFS refuses to tell you take your business elsewhere
Any invoice should tell you the country of origin of the fish and or the wholesaler who will know where they came from.
For those of you who are out of town and buy online, the same applies.
Ask for a net caught fish. They are available to all online stores and LFS. All you have to do is ask.

[EmilyB]

What stores do you shop at naesco?

[Pansy-Paws]

Neasco, maybe Ididn't make myself clear. When I buy a fish, I always asked where it was shipped from. I am not scared to do this and I always get an answer. If the cost is too high IMO, then I'll haggle. If the LFS wants to bring out an invoice to prove what they paid, that's ok with me, but not necessary (and no one has ever volunteered to do this).

Most of us must have had the 'typical' conservation about cost: "Gee Jim, $79 is a bit much for a chromi, don't you think?" and Jim will say "They are rare as can be and I had to pay $60 for them myself" (please smile at my example) Doesn't matter because I have a price in mind that I'm willing to pay -- I'm not trying to stiff the LFS -- just see if a price I'm comfortable with is workable. Sometimes they'll bring their price down, sometimes not. Also, at the point, where I'm thinking about buying I already done some research re prices locally and about the fish in general.

Guess I just didn't see the point in sorta assuming that reputable LFSs were misrepresenting themselves -- hey, but what do I know -- maybe you are right. But lets hope not. And it has nothing to do with being scared or Pansy -- it's just that I like to be a 'buyer beware' purchaser who nevertheless assumes the best about the people I deal with until I am convinced differently.

Back to the original problem . . . we tried the hatched BBS and still no luck. Keep your fins crossed for us.

p.s. Reef Raf -- keep us informed on your experiment LOL

[naesco]

Gotcha Paws Thanks
Where did the lfs say they got your koran from?
Let us know when she starts eating.
Let us know what your lfs says

[BCOrchidGuy]

Thats a shame Rose, its a lovely fish and I have to say your tanks are AWESOME looking, you have done a great job. Just out of curiosity whats the tank temperature?

[chicki]

Gosh, I'm totally againist putting that new Koran in your main tank....sorry, but what a poor idea! It could have..any sort of disease...and then all your fish will be contaminated.

[BCOrchidGuy]

I'm one to talk, but remember, I just wiped out my tank by NOT isolating new fish so I would isolate it, dark area, warm water.... you know the drill.

I hope you can get that fish turned around, I feel for you.

[Van down by the river]

Well naesco,
I worked in a few stores and I will tell you. I would most certainly not show you the invoices. Would you go into Canadian Tire and ask for their invoice? Or maybe Safeway? because you are not convinced their produce is really organic. I think you will find you will not get far.
Does this mean I have no ethics, no. I will certainly tell you were I believe the fish came from.
I too would like to be there to see Grant or John's face when you ask JnL's or Big Al's for their invoice............. I think you'll be waiting awhile.
If you persist I don't think you'll have the option of taking your business elswhere,.... I think they will ask you too.
I'm not trying to burn you, I just think you are being idealistic albeit with good intentions.

Also if net caught fish was as easy as just asking........don't you think we would have done that a long time ago?

(The rest of this is a general statement)
Unfortunately many hobbyists have a very poor understanding of "how" their fish really get here.
Maybe some of the transhippers that read this board can further "enlighten" us.
First off I wil tell you that EVERY exporter claims their fish are "net-caught" I would challenge anyone to find one that admits cyanide catching. (So how do they get those baby Blue Tangs?.....Hmmmm I wonder...............)

First off an aquarists purchases should be based on an educated decision and assesment of their abilities, Aquarium system condition, Tankmates, and care requirements of the particular species. As well as the health and condition of the animal in the store. Were it came from, in most cases has little bearing. I have seen good and bad from all areas.

Sometimes an exporter will have fish from other areas on his list, that I know aren't found in that area. So it is difficult to determine origin sometimes. Especially if they are from LA Exporters.
Often the fish have changed hands many times before you or I get them.

Many stores believe that their suppliers are proprietary information. They think that they have an "edge" by using certain exporters. I find this amusing as they are often all buying from the same exporters!
(Ever notice they all get a shipment the same day)
I believe how they handle their livestock once they recieve it is vastly more important than were it came from. I often see the same shipment at different stores with the appearance of different "quality" but it was all about how each LFS unpacks and handles the animals.

Well I could rant more but who's gonna read it anyway!