is it just me??

[cale262]

I can't think of a single fish in any of my tanks that didn't come from an LFS. Other than some local clown breeders, is there really anyone on these forums breeding tangs or wrasses? I'd be willing to bet that 90% or more of anyone's fish on here, at one point came from a fish store.

I have posted up here when I was looking to buy a certain fish, the last I believe was a CBB, I didn't see any in my usual haunts (LFS) so I posted here asking if anyone had one or knew of one FS... In the end it was a LFS that replied and I bought it from them.

Funny enough, I was just thinking about posting a WTB thread for a purple tang, I haven't seen one in an LFS for some time...although the last one I saw was at double the price I'd be willing to buy it at (~$260). It also almost feels like certain fish are seasonal items... Today I have a hard time finding a purple tang for anything less than $200+ and a month down the road everyone has them for $60.

I for one believe we should support our Responsible LFS, if we don't we'll end up buying our staple products (salt etc) and 3 types of available fish from an unhealthy Walmart tank.

[sphelps]

Sometimes I post I'm looking for things like specific fish or inverts in hopes either someone will just happen to be thinking about parting with their's or some saw the item recently at a LFS. It saves me driving around to every store or calling them which is actually harder than it sounds due to language barriers or unreliable employees. If it's something I really want I'll even consider shipping from other locations. I don't consider using convenient resources to my advantage lazy, more like efficient

[daplatapus]

My first thought as to why I'd post a "looking for" a specific fish is the same reason I'd visit the SPCA before a breeder if I was looking for a dog. I'd like to see if there was an unwanted fish out there that I could home before creating a demand at an LFS.

[Flash]

plus I might add, if someone can't find a home for their fish when they shut down.. the lfs might if being generous give the person a 50% credit to what they would sell the fish for... which is fair for the stores to do, but at the same time, someone on here could get that same fish 50% less then retail!

I support my LFS.... some more then others.... but really, would i turn down a $30 6" healthy regal tang to go pay $100 for one that just came out of a bag and only has a 50/50 chance at making it?!