LFS vs Petco

I am curious to see everyone's views on buying fish from an lfs or from petco. Pros and cons? Opinions greatly appreciated

 

I like supporting the "mom and pop" stores. If you need help or just want to bounce off ideas, establishing a relationship with an lfs that is really interrested in the trade seems better, imo. However, they do run a business, so if you really want honest info, just ask on 3reef!

 

It all depends on how each retailers fish looks and the appearance of their tanks.

At least if you buy local you can look for disease prior to purchase. Also you can watch and see if they are actually eating and what they are eating.

For me it's Liveaquria.com bar none though.

When I have bought from the LFS it was usually a special order, I picked up the fish on the day the shipment came in and requested that the fish not be un-bagged and introduced to the display tanks.

 

Great idea. Never thought of that...

 

My LFS is cheaper then petco and the fish are healthy
I find that the fish from petco are pale and unhealthy

Like Instant ocean salt is 47.99 at petco
while the same salt is 39.95 at my lfs

only thing i pick up at petco are filter pads, small equipment, snails and hermit crabs

LFS can trade, buy, give discounts and tips/info

 

I'm online all the way too! 1 LFS has aiptasia covering their tanks and the manager doesn't see the problem with me not wanting her to chase a fish around the tank with a net in them, and the other LFS is infested with disease and will sell ANYTHING TO ANYONE without info or warning! Plus if coordinate it right with specials it's usually actually cheaper! PLUS the selection can't be beat! ANYTHING you want, no settling or picking and choosing!

But then again i buy EVERYTHING online! Amazon Prime free shipping, a huge container of salt from drs fosters and smith is free shipping, etc! Gotta love shopping from your lazy boy with beer in hand! Warning, beer plus divers den plus credit card=dangerous!lol

 

I think the down the street pet stores are better in general because Petco doesnt know how to take care of their tanks as well in my opinion. I'm not talking about aesthetically either. Anyone can scrub algae and change water. Does the individual who is adding fish to the tank know what they are doing? Will they sell you the fish the same day they get them? Will they feed the fish in front of you? Do they know if you have "x" fish if it gets along with "y" fish?

Not all LFS's are good at what they are doing. I am not saying they all do the right thing when it comes to handling fish. What I am saying is that Petco people dont care if there fish die or if people even buy the fish. LFS's care because they understand the ramifications if they either dont sell or livestock dies. The person taking care of the fish section has no vested interest one way or another. Perhaps their manager does but from what Ive seen they are quite hands off.

Petco can be a good thing if you already know exactly what youre buying and dont have any questions (generally product not livestock). If you go to a LFS they are more likely to know. Again not a guarantee but odds are they know and care more.

IMO Petco is only good for buying products. They are cheaper and its the same product as the LFS's.

 

Thanks everyone for the replies. My closest LFS is an hour away. While they are extremely helpful, their prices are astronomical compared to petco. For example, a wrasse that is 30 at petco is 110 at my lfs. Worried about online because of sicknesses and I cant literally see what im buying. Decisions decisions....

 

Take every store on a case by case basis, whether it be a LFS or Petco. The Petco near me is generally pretty well taken care of and always has at least two people working the tanks.

I frequent three LFS around me and the Petco which is right down the street. I try to support local businesses as much as I can, but price and selection really influence my final decision.

I've seen employees who had no idea what they were talking about at all four stores and seen some have to look up my question in their handbook before giving me an answer.

Just find out which store has the best of what you're looking for. One LFS near me has the cleanest tanks and best looking livestock, but horrible selection and slightly steep prices. Another has awesome looking corals, but his tanks are infested with parasites. The Petco near me has pretty good looking fish at a fair price, but their frag tank looks horrible and their LR is infested with aiptasia.

People stereotype Petco too much, not all of them are the same. Just because a fish store is not a chain does not mean it is ran better. A quality owner and/or employees who know what they're doing will make any fish store great.

 

I do PetCo now. My PetCo gets the same fish as my LFS.. I can save 30% on the same fish. I go there Wednesday before the fish hits their water. If your local PetCo has dirty tanks make sure to call their customer service number ASAP. They will take care their pets but only if you call CS and notify them of poor conditions.