Is Dan Blowing Smoke?

[Back in the fold]

but he is way out there by himself when it comes to inflated prices.

I wholeheartedly agree with this . He had a pair of the original wild type Aplocheilus lineatus killifish that I desperately want but I am NOT going to pay $100 bucks for two fish . This is a fish that should be much more common but is not . Oh , I wrestled with it and once even had the order ready to the point of pressing the button but better sense prevailed . I’ll find these fish someday but I’m not going to get taken to the cleaners over them .

 

[Innesfan]

I wholeheartedly agree with this . He had a pair of the original wild type Aplocheilus lineatus killifish that I desperately want but I am NOT going to pay $100 bucks for two fish . This is a fish that should be much more common but is not . Oh , I wrestled with it and once even had the order ready to the point of pressing the button but better sense prevailed . I’ll find these fish someday but I’m not going to get taken to the cleaners over them .

I've seen them on other lists. I made note of it because I too prefer the wild form. I'll keep an eye out for you.

 

[MaloK]

how is Dan's Fish ranking (Gemini exert.)

"Dan's" is generally very highly regarded in the online aquarium hobby, They consistently receive excellent ratings and positive customer feedback.

Here's a summary of their ranking and reputation based on numerous reviews:

Overall Ranking: Very High / Top Tier

Average Rating: Their own website (dansfish.com) shows an "Overall Rating: 4.93/5.0" based on over 3,700 reviews. This is an exceptionally high average.

Customer Reviews: They receive overwhelmingly positive reviews across their own site and various aquarium forums (like Reddit's r/Aquariums and Aquarium Co-Op forums).

Key Strengths Highlighted by Customers:

Fish Health and Quality: This is their most frequently praised attribute. Many reviewers comment on receiving healthy, active, vibrant, and well-conditioned fish. They are known for medicating fish after import and quarantining them before sale, significantly reducing the risk of illness upon arrival.

Exceptional Packaging and Shipping: Customers consistently praise their meticulous packaging. Fish are often individually bagged, double-bagged, and securely packed with appropriate heat/cold packs and insulation to ensure live arrival, even in extreme weather conditions.

Live Arrival Guarantee: While specifics vary, their live arrival guarantee and prompt customer service for any DOAs are highly regarded.

Customer Service: Many reviews highlight excellent communication, quick responses, and a willingness to resolve issues (e.g., refunds for DOAs, updating product descriptions based on feedback).

Selection: They offer a wide selection, including many rare and oddball fish that are harder to find elsewhere.

Ethical Sourcing (Claimed): They advertise "humanely sourcing and transporting fish," which resonates positively with many hobbyists.

Areas where some minor criticisms or considerations arise (less frequent but noted):

Price: Some customers find their prices higher than other online or local fish stores, but many believe the quality and health justify the cost.

Fish Size: Occasionally, fish might be smaller than some customers expect, though typically not smaller than advertised.

Specific Stock Issues: Like any live animal vendor, occasional issues can arise (e.g., a batch of fish might have fin damage, or a small percentage of DOAs in large orders, especially during very cold or hot weather). However, their customer service seems to address these promptly.

Sexing of Fish: For unsexed listings, some customers have received imbalanced ratios of males/females.

In summary, Dan's Fish (Dan's Aquatics) ranks among the very best online sellers for live aquarium fish. Their strong focus on fish health, excellent packaging, and responsive customer service makes them a top choice for many hobbyists, especially when ordering sensitive or rare species.

 

[Back in the fold]

@MaloK According to Dan and going by his reviews he’s got an excellent track record for delivery reliability . That’s something in itself and he does get some rare fish and he is a hobbyist / fish nerd himself . I don’t fault him for anything but he does go into the stratosphere on price for some fish . Maybe that’s today’s world . He has a huge facility to pay for and people to pay and if you want what he has you might have to break the bank sometimes . Nobody likes it but it gets personal when it’s a fish you really want . If you can find them you should see the videos of when he built the place . It looks like a million dollar facility to me and he financed it alone . I’d hate to be the guy responsible for paying for it .

 

[jaylach]

I don't think anyone is or has been questioning quality/reputation, despite the club-footed grab bag move. I believe people have justifiable concerns about his stated opinion about extreme water parameters and, speaking of extremes, grossly inflated prices. As has been said before by others, he doesn't corner the market on quality or expansiveness of his offerings, but he is way out there by himself when it comes to inflated prices.

After quarantine Dan's stock does not stay around long so that MAY alleviate some of the hard water issues. A good friend and neighbor in my apartments drives to Denver every week to pick up Dan's new stock. The driver friend explained to me as to how the van for this was modified for the transport. Each 'box' of fish is inserted with a temperature gauge that can be controlled to, at least, make the temperature consistent.

As to being over priced I can't really comment a lot as, for me, Dan's is the least expensive of any seller except a local Petco which I refuse to use. Of course Dan's is right next to my apartment so I don't have to pay any shipping. With not paying shipping, for me, Dan's is the least expensive but I realize that I'm in a pretty unique situation.

 

[Back in the fold]

Of course Dan's is right next to my apartment so I don't have to pay any shipping. With not paying shipping, for me, Dan's is the least expensive but I realize that I'm in a pretty unique situation.

A pretty unique situation ! ? ! ? Jay ! You are practically camped at the gates of heaven ! This is the most classic example of understatement I have ever read !

 

[gwand]

I started this thread and I stand my objections to his water parameter statement. However I would still use Dan under certain circumstances. I would purchase hard water fish only. Occasionally he prices a fish appropriately. And he offers $39 overnight shipping on small orders. Most of his competitors charge $50-60 for overnight delivery. His packaging is second to none. But I would recommend folks consider Aquatic Clarity, The Wet Spot and Imperial Tropicals, all who have fantastic inventories of wild caught and rare fish. I’m also impressed with Live Fish Direct for East African cichlids. Gary E has mentioned Rehoboth aquatics and I take his word on that. The man knows his fish. I would like to hear other mail order store recommendations.

 

[anewbie]

I don't think anyone is or has been questioning quality/reputation, despite the club-footed grab bag move. I believe people have justifiable concerns about his stated opinion about extreme water parameters and, speaking of extremes, grossly inflated prices. As has been said before by others, he doesn't corner the market on quality or expansiveness of his offerings, but he is way out there by himself when it comes to inflated prices.

Yea on another forum about 2 years ago a fellow warned me to not use Dan because of his hard water for softwater dwarf cichild; and on top of that the very very high prices. Worse he has a biologist (or at least he advertises such) so he should know better.

 

[jaylach]

Yes, he has a biologist that euthanizes a fish from each incoming bag and checks for scale deformation, parasites and gill issues. This is not speculation, it is a fact.

 

[AJ356]

Yes, he has a biologist that euthanizes a fish from each incoming bag and checks for scale deformation, parasites and gill issues. This is not speculation, it is a fact.

So we have a seller that has some kind of mad scientist killing a fish from each bag, telling people it's okay to keep soft water Fish in hard water and having a brain fart idea of people buying fish and don't know what they getting.

 

[jaylach]

So we have a seller that has some kind of mad scientist killing a fish from each bag, telling people it's okay to keep soft water Fish in hard water and having a brain fart idea of people buying fish and don't know what they getting.

Mad scientist? Ya, I'm not fond of the idea of killing a fish to check the shipment but it is intended to protect the buyer. Would you appreciate getting a fish with parasites that infected other fish?

If the autopsy shows parasites the entire bag is put in quarantine and treated. If, treatment fails, he has tanks for these fish that he won't sell but keeps them in the best conditions he can. Again, not speculation, but fact.

Agree or not on his methods but the man LOVES fish and has one of the best on-line reputations in the world.

 

[AJ356]

Mad scientist? Ya, I'm not fond of the idea of killing a fish to check the shipment but it is intended to protect the buyer. Would you appreciate getting a fish with parasites that infected other fish?

If the autopsy shows parasites the entire bag is put in quarantine and treated. If, treatment fails, he has tanks for these fish that he won't sell but keeps them in the best conditions he can. Again, not speculation, but fact.

Agree or not on his methods but the man LOVES fish and has one of the best on-line reputations in the world.

When you say an entire bag, how many fish do we think is in a bag then?

 

[AJ356]

website says this

At Dan's Fish, we don't flip fish. Upon arrival at our store, each fish is quarantined for as long as it takes them to destress from their journey, rebuild their immune systems,

Each Fish is quarantined, doesn't say one fish from each bag is euthanized. Unless it's on a different part of the website

 

[jaylach]

When you say an entire bag, how many fish do we think is in a bag then?

It would depend on the fish species. Some can be shipped in larger numbers, such as guppies, and some need smaller numbers. Not really a fair question as it cannot be specifically answered.

Oddly, while I can't get a direct answer, Wet Spot seems to also have a high PH level of up to 8 yet we don't fault them. Why would one support Wet Spot yet put down Dan's for the same water?

LOL! This is one of those discussions that will never really be resolved but, even if I had to pay shipping, I would have zero issue with Dan's.

 

[AJ356]

You've done a good job of trying to balance the sellers questionable tactics with his good points.