Buying Fish On-Line - Safe?

[lisa2701]

hi everyone,

I am very new to fish, and as yet haven't set up/had a tank, but have been doing as much reading as I can between now and starting up. I plan on setting up a tank soon and once its cycled I am going to get male Endlers. Its only 5.5 gallons so only going to have a small handful of these as per the 1 inch of fish per gallon rule. The problem is my LFS stocked these little guys a few months back but they don't appear to be stocking them now, I did consider guppies but I don't think my tank is big enough really? I've been in a few times recently checking to see if they were in. So IF they don't get them back in I am trying to work out where else to get them. I noticed you can buy them on-line and have them shipped to you, can someone tell me how this works and how safe it is for the fish?

Thanks

EDIT: My gut feeling is if my LFS doesn't get them back in I will find them and travel to get them so I know they are home as quickly and safely as possible but I want to keep my options open which is why I am asking.

 

[panda_cory]

Ask your LFS if they can order them in for you, if they have had them in then they should be able to get them again.

 

[jkarlson]

Buying online is fine. Just research the website you're buying from first. Ask around to see if it has good reviews from others who have bought there. A DOA(dead on arrival) clause should be stated somewhere on the site, and you're more then likely going to pay quite a bit for shipping. The companies put special chemicals in the water to keep it oxygenated, and most arrive the next day, unless you want to pay less for shipping. I've had great experiences with it, haven't had any DOA's yet, but you need to be weary of the seller.

 

[lisa2701]

Thank you for such quick responses.

Panda_cory - I will certainly ask before trying to source them else where. I need to go in and speak to them anyway, I am going to ask them if they'd help me out with a bit of filter media to help cycle my tank - Figure I may as well ask, they can only say no right?

Jkarlson - Thats great to know. I did wonder/worry about how they kept the water oxygenated. I assume they have 'LIVE' plastered all over the container so the couriers know to handle it with care? I worry about them being tossed around . The average shipping price appears to me £15.99. I have found what appears to be a large specialist aquatic store 4 hours away from me that stock them and ship them, so if it comes to it I might look into that more.

 

[fluttermoth]

I've bought lots of fish (and shrimps) online with no problems.

Having said that, it hardly seems worth it for a few Endlers! I'd ask your LFS if they'll get some in for you, or get someone to give you a lift to one that's nearby, they really shouldn't be hard to find.

 

[lisa2701]

Fluttermoth- I drive so getting to and from a store isn't a problem and like I said I will try and source them and go collect them myself before I consider buying on-line, but I really like these little guys so if the only option I have is to pay £15 shipping fee then I am prepared to do so. That being said, I am glad to hear they are quite readily available so hopefully I can find them close by without too much problems.

 

[Bugdozer]

Lisa, where are you based? Someone here might be local and know where you could find some.

 

[lisa2701]

Lisa, where are you based? Someone here might be local and know where you could find some.

I am central Scotland, right in the middle between Glasgow and Edinburgh. If anyone knows where I can get some I'd really appreciate it. It will probably be a week or two before I start cycling my tank but I like to plan ahead.

 

[panda_cory]

I know a fish shop that has some but its not close, the Maidenhead aquatics in sefton always seems to have them but it is far for some Endler guppies.

 

[lisa2701]

I know a fish shop that has some but its not close, the Maidenhead aquatics in sefton always seems to have them but it is far for some Endler guppies.

They appear to have a store in Coatbridge Glasgow which is only half an hour away. I will call them to see if they stock them, thanks .

 

[lisa2701]

Ohh, just looking at their web site...their shop looks dangerous... think I could spend a LOT of money in it, the husband might not be too pleased. Sod calling them, I might just have to take a drive over the weekend to have a wee nosey for myself .

 

[hensonc4098]

The one in coatbridge definitely has them - I was in there the other day

 

[lisa2701]

The one in coatbridge definitely has them - I was in there the other day

Excellent news, thanks for letting me know. Jeeze, I wish I could get the tank set up and start cycling it, i'm so excited to get started but the tanks being used by my sons triops just now .

 

[pablothebetta]

I see you've got some posts, but thought I might say to the hobby

You could try a MA store if there's one near you - I know my local one has had them in before.

If anyone you know has an established aquarium, you could ask them for some cycled media to help boost your cycle - maybe even someone on here would be willing to help you out?

 

[lisa2701]

I see you've got some posts, but thought I might say to the hobby

You could try a MA store if there's one near you - I know my local one has had them in before.

If anyone you know has an established aquarium, you could ask them for some cycled media to help boost your cycle - maybe even someone on here would be willing to help you out?

Thank you, I am looking forward to getting started. I'm afraid I don't know what a MA store is? . My friends dad has an aquarium but I haven't really seen him in that long that i'd feel a little awkward asking. I did notice the thread about people willing to help out with filter media on this forum, which i thought was a fabulous idea, but I must admit, I feel a little cheeky PM'ing someone and being like hi, we're complete strangers but could you help me out .

I have convinced hubby to take a trip with me to the store in Coatbridge over the weekend to have a look. He's also agreed to have a look at tanks and he admitted he likes fish, but isn't so keen on the tiny ones , so I have said to him if he'd consider checking out tanks with me so we have an idea of sizes etc then we can discuss a bigger tank and then we could maybe discuss fish he likes... which he agreed to ... I could see this being a win win for me