Who would you choose?

[Bobdole10]

I have both by my home and notice that Petco has a better range of fish and more supplies but I have also noticed that Petsmart has better fish and they tend to be heathlier than most.

Just wanted to know your point of view?

Thanks JEREMY

 

[Captain Nemo]

We have Pets Mart and Pet Land. And we go to both stores for different products. Generally Pets Mart has cheaper prices on most supplies and equipment, but Pet Land has a better selection of fish and a few more gadgets to choose from. Thankfully, both stores are not far from each other and we usually go to both the same trip. We used to have PetCo where we lived before, and they are a nice big store with lots of products. Healthwise I'd say most pet stores are about the same as long as you don't buy fish at Wal Mart. Of course a lot depends on the store's management.

 

[Bobdole10]

I agree with the walmart I use to work there and they wanted to keep the fish tanks clean but when I tired to keep them the "Right" way they got pissed I was spending to much time keeping clean and heathly.

I can only say if you get a Walmart fish you are asking to flush that little guy

 

[spovy]

You know they seem to be basically the same to me. I definently think it depends on the management/sales assistance. I've had really good help at both, but then been in one at a different location where I just couldn't help but wonder if the person I was talking to had a 5th grade education. My favorite stores have always been the little mom and pop places. Not only are you helping out the little guy, but I think their fish tend to be healthier. Although these places never have as much selection you can always get help if you need it.

 

[Xavier]

www.petcosucks.com
petsmart definitely has better fish and they treat them better too. for some reason their fish seem so much smaller than the petsmart ones.

 

[Bobdole10]

I agree with that also but the little guys also tend to want an arm and leg for the same thing that is cheaper at the big stores. For example I wanted to get 2 cherry barbs my LFS wanted 5 dollars for them and Petco was like 3 something. Now I know your talking a dollar or 2 but supplies are more of a difference than that.

Jeremy

 

[Xavier]

petco has the petco card so i go there for the discount. but when im feeling rich i go to petsmart

 

[Captain Nemo]

Pets Mart here in Texas has a savings card too, but it is not all that hot, more like grocery store's savings card. Pet Land has a savings card where everything you buy you get a 10% discount and they have special sales on fish every Tuesday-all fish half price. Now I think this is a great deal considering how much some fish species cost. However I think Pet Land is only here in Texas, please correct me if I am wrong.

 

[Teelie]

Only PetCo here, no Petsmart or PetLand. Their saltwater fish, terrible shape, sometimes they don't even have any And twice when I've been there, they were draining the saltwater tanks and I could distinctly smell dead sw fish. Their coldwater fish, mostly Goldfish, are almost always quarantined though their tropical selection isn't so bad. They sometimes have Arowanas for sale and they often keep Black Ghost Knives together as well in what amounts to a 10 gallon aquarium.

I wouldn't say they're any worse than most chain stores however, especially ones who aren't specialized in fish.

 

[Xavier]

Only PetCo here, no Petsmart or PetLand. Their saltwater fish, terrible shape, sometimes they don't even have any And twice when I've been there, they were draining the saltwater tanks and I could distinctly smell dead sw fish. Their coldwater fish, mostly Goldfish, are almost always quarantined though their tropical selection isn't so bad. They sometimes have Arowanas for sale and they often keep Black Ghost Knives together as well in what amounts to a 10 gallon aquarium.

I wouldn't say they're any worse than most chain stores however, especially ones who aren't specialized in fish.

AMAZING. that's exactly like the one in my neighborhood

 

[fuman_chica]

I have not, and will not ever buy any animals, including fish from Petco. They have a TERRIBLE history of keeping unheathy animals. They have had many stores get in trouble for having hundreds of dead fish in the tanks. They have left baby rats in cages to die rather than having them put down. They don't care about the pets...they care about making money.

As for supplies, I would say go where ever they are the cheapest. It is all the same equipment, you shouldn't have to pay more.

 

[Bol]

Personally, I think it's impossible to make a generalization.

I've seen what I would call "good" instances of both stores, and "bad" instances of both stores, depending on what city I'm in.

But, to be honest, I'd only buy fish from either if it wasn't practical to get them elsewhere. And my equipment is all bought online.

 

[fishstix101]

Where I live it's the other way around petco has helthier fish and petsmart has more supplies. Wich ever fish are helthier and better taken care of. Also chek if there is a Pet S upermarket near you they have VERY helthy fish. good luck!!!