Buying Fish on the Internet

[mozgrrl]

Hi Everyone, has anyone ever ordered fish over the internet? I was thinking of ordering from www.liveaquaria.com. I saw some fish that I wanted, but I was nervous about how they ship them and if they'd survive. Anyone have info or experience with this? I just bought a 55 gallon tank this weekend and I am cycling it with 4 black tetras (advice from the LFS). Thanks.

 

[WILDER]

I have never ordered fish off the net, it's up to you, some say it's fine then you hear horror stories.

 

[OohFeeshy]

LOL I feel a bit nervous too I don't really want to order anything in case it dies. Then i feel bad, have lost money and cant get a similar fish.

 

[Sanj]

TBH if you are in the UK and you order from Trimar, you arent likley to have a problem.

I have several times and always been a good service with well packed and healthy fish.

 

[modernhamlet]

How do you think your LFS gets their fish?

As long as you are purchasing from a reputable dealer (liveaquaria is one of them), you should be just fine. If any fish are lost in transit, you can be credited for the cost. The only problem with ordering fish online is that shipping costs can be very high, unless you order enough fish to offset it. It costs about the same to ship 40 fish as 4 fish.

 

[yvez9]

I ordered bettas from bcbetta.com

the shipping company screwed up. It had nothing to do with the seller though.

The shipment came in on monday instead of the previous thursday.

All fish were alive and all recuperated aftre about a week!

It's better to buy fish in a store but if you can't find what you want, ordering off the net is good. Though shipping can get expensive

 

[pnyklr3]

Most places guarantee live delivery, so that's a plus. I would only suggest buying online for one reason: You can't find it locally. THe problem with fish bought online is: The shipping is hefty and the fish are not acclimated to your local water, as would be the case with fish from the lfs. THe water acclimation is not a big problem, it just takes a bit longer before putting the fish into the tank.

 

[yvez9]

true dat
i took no chance with my bettas and it took me 9 hour to acclimate them properly

 

[mandi]

As someone mentioned, LiveAquaria.com is a very reputable site -- associated with Drs Foster & Smith (online & catalog sales). I haven't ordered fish from them but I have ordered other aquarium products, and they're excellent.

Whenever you order fish online, always check that they're DOA policy is (some sellers on Aquabid) and such require a digital photo of the fish in an UNopened bag in order to receive a refund. Just as long as you're aware of their policy and okay with it, then I say go for it.

 

[Fishy411]

liveaquaria is good bcuz they have a 14 day guarantee.

 

[The_Gilly]

bettaman off this site sent me two fish who arrived in perfect condition and exactly when he told me they would.

 

[Sorrell]

I buy from liveaquaria a lot actually We live about 2 hours from a fish store and the gas and shipping equal out so it works for me There are also times in the winter that the roads aren't safe to leave town (if they are even open) but I'm still able to get fish

The vast majority of my bettas come over from Thailand and I've never had a DOA (knock on wood). I also have bought bettas from Wuv, also without a problem

I'll echo modernhamlet...don't worry about the shipping, that's how they get to your fish store. A lot of the time I just prefer to cut out the middle man

 

[Mr Miagi]

I have neva ordered fish direct of the internet. Why dont u go to your lfs or lps and ask them to order the fish you want inn for u?

 

[Sorrell]

I have neva ordered fish direct of the internet. Why dont u go to your lfs or lps and ask them to order the fish you want inn for u?

I gave reasons above as to why I don't do that, but to add to it, no fish store is going to be able to order the bettas I need, so it's overseas online or nothing at all

 

[LoachLover]

I've ordered them from that site before, they came fine. Sometimes you have to order some fish online if you can't find them anywere.