Buying Fish Online

[LeeAberdeen]

I didn't want to buy my fish online at first but, as I've decided to keep cichlids, I can't see any way to avoid it as I need to stock them all at once when my tank is cycled. None of my local stores stock enough, as I understand I have to fill the tank to capacity to prevent territorial aggression. It sounds a bit cruel to buy online, even if there are plenty of companies doing it now, so is it an absolute no-no, or are fish hardy enough to cope with a one-night journey if they're packed properly and come from a reputable firm?
 
It would certainly solve my problem, but I don't want to inflict any unnecessary suffering on the little fellas. Sharing of any online-buying experiences much appreciated.

 

[Puffer_Nat]

Obviously picking the fish up in person is always preferable but sometimes that's just not possible. Buying online is certainly an option, as long as the fish are packed appropriately then it shouldn't be a problem

 

[BelldandyShanny]

I have some fish I'm purchasing, just waiting for the weather to cooperate, the only critters I've actually received are shrimp! but they came through a-ok.  As for your tank territory, you could also get some, and then rearrange the tank before adding more so it's "new" again, usually good enough to fool em.  Have you asked your store if they will special order the amount you want? sometimes they will be nice!

on a side note, the stores get their stock the same way you would if you ordered =)  so sometimes cutting out the middle man saves money...but, if you have a store to return to for refunds it's nice and more convenient than mail order.

 

[fluttermoth]

If these are Rift Valley cichlids, then they do need to be overcrowded, from the start. It's not a matter of territories as such, but reducing aggression by having so many fish that no one in particular can get picked on.

If they're not Rift valley cichlids then you might need to think again, as it's only those that you overstock.

There's nothing wrong with buying fish online, from a reliable retailer (and there are plenty of those), nor is it cruel; it's how all the fish in your LFS get there in the first place! I've met people who actually think each LFS breeds it's own stock, in some sort of breeding facility out the back, but that's not the case! Most fish in the trade come from the Far East, so they can be in transit for a few days in that situation; they'll be fine for the one day it'll take them to get to you.

It is worth asking your LFS if they'll order some in for you, as it is always better to see the fish in person before you buy them, if possible.

I've bought loads of fish online (as I live in the middle of nowhere and have only one, not very helpful, LFS and a P@H I can get to!) and haven't had any problems that weren't of my causing (opening the box in a very brightly lit room and not drip acclimatising).

 

[BelldandyShanny]

yeah what I said =p my lfs will special order if requested, so that's awesome, sometimes I just don't like their pricing so order instead. I'm trying to get my lfs to possibly purchase my krib babies, I would think being bred and raised in local water would be a big plus!  Go on aquabid (or even an ebay store) and have a look around, and ask questions, a good seller will talk with you and it really helps.

 

[LeeAberdeen]

I have some fish I'm purchasing, just waiting for the weather to cooperate, the only critters I've actually received are shrimp! but they came through a-ok.  As for your tank territory, you could also get some, and then rearrange the tank before adding more so it's "new" again, usually good enough to fool em.  Have you asked your store if they will special order the amount you want? sometimes they will be nice!

on a side note, the stores get their stock the same way you would if you ordered =)  so sometimes cutting out the middle man saves money...but, if you have a store to return to for refunds it's nice and more convenient than mail order.

 
It's a good point, the one about how the stores get their own stock in. I'd never thought of it like that. I know lots of them do tank-bred specimens too, which is what I'd prefer, but I've no specific objection to wild-caught ones.
 
I think you've more or less convinced me...

If these are Rift Valley cichlids, then they do need to be overcrowded, from the start. It's not a matter of territories as such, but reducing aggression by having so many fish that no one in particular can get picked on.

If they're not Rift valley cichlids then you might need to think again, as it's only those that you overstock.

There's nothing wrong with buying fish online, from a reliable retailer (and there are plenty of those), nor is it cruel; it's how all the fish in your LFS get there in the first place! I've met people who actually think each LFS breeds it's own stock, in some sort of breeding facility out the back, but that's not the case! Most fish in the trade come from the Far East, so they can be in transit for a few days in that situation; they'll be fine for the one day it'll take them to get to you.

It is worth asking your LFS if they'll order some in for you, as it is always better to see the fish in person before you buy them, if possible.

I've bought loads of fish online (as I live in the middle of nowhere and have only one, not very helpful, LFS and a P@H I can get to!) and haven't had any problems that weren't of my causing (opening the box in a very brightly lit room and not drip acclimatising).

 
Thanks for your reply. Actually, I was thinking of Malawi cichlids, although I'm still pondering the best fish to get before my tank is cycled in four or five weeks. I'm presuming they don't come under the heading of Rift Valley cichlids? So if I get cichlids from Malawi, how many should I get for a 270-litre tank? Also, do they need stocking all in one go?
 
Your help is much appreciated.

 

[fluttermoth]

Malawis are Rift Valley cichlids, yes (Lakes Tanganyika, Malawi and Victoria are all Rift Valley).
 
They're not something I know a lot about, although my mum used to keep Malawis. I'd start a thread in the Old World cichlids sub forum, if I were you, as I'm sure someone there will be able to advise you better on stocking levels and species.
 
I won't ask my mum as, lovely as she is, she's not the world's greatest fishkeeper, tbh!

 

[TwoTankAmin]

I have had 100s of fish shipped in. I have shipped out 100s as well. Done right it is fine.
 
Sellers who normally do ship fish either get it right or word gets around and they either go out of business or fix things fast and then suffer though regaining their rep over time.
 
Your situation sure helps to illustrate two situations. The first is the nature of the rift lake fish and how they differ from what many are used to in terms of "over stocking." The second, is that fishless cycling and the ability to stock fully when done is of the greatest benefit to rift lake fish keepers. The cycling article here is intended to insure even rift lake tanks will be ready for the full fish load.