Where do you buy your fish?

[steve-s]

I agree with rcipema for the most part, buying fish online or instore is not always a guarantee that the fish will do well in your aquarium.

Even some of the best stores still have deaths. The one thing that sets the better stores apart from the others is the arrive alive guarantee. That tells me at least they are confident in what they are selling and also how well they are cared for. If the store was more interested in the get 'em in and get 'em out philosophy, then there would be no such guarantee.

The best thing you can do before buying any animal, fish or otherwise is know what you want before you buy it and understand the care of that animal. I have many times been at an LFS and seen people look at a fish and say OH!! isn't that cute. It gets bagged up and quite probably is dead after a week. Not to suggest that is the case here, but it does happen.

Many think as well that it is up to the LFS to inform the buyer, I disagree. I think it's great that the LFS is able to offer insights into what they are selling, which may suggests a better level of care on the part of the LFS, but it is ultimately the responsability of the buyer to know before hand. If not, ask them what they do know. Most often they will not offer advice unless asked and even then it is rarely accurate.

Cheers
Steve