Choosing the right LFS?

[AquariumDani]

Hi all, I went to my nearby LFS and the tanks seemed pretty dirty? I’ll post pictures below.

My concern is:
1. If I move a fish from their tank into my very new, very clean tank - will the fish be in shock and die?
2. Are the tanks supposed to be this dirty?

 

[James M]

You have to acclimate the fish to your tank and u can’t just dump them in
It doesn’t look too dirty but I do see bleached coral

 

[davocean]

Looks to be pretty typical and maybe better than many LFS to me.
Agree, gotta acclimate.

 

[Gonebad395]

Acclimate anything new. Also a lot of lfs have kids that don’t know much or don’t really care. Also lfs will sometimes tell you wrong information to make a sale so do your own research so you don’t waste money time and lives of animals.

 

[PirateDan]

Your tank is your baby. There tank just holds inventory. There tanks look ok.

 

[jabberwock]

I have 4 LFSs that I frequent. They all have pros and cons. Do your research first. Look at ALL the fish in a store. Try and notice if there are any sick or dying ones. They usually all share the same water.

 

[AquariumDani]

I have 4 LFSs that I frequent. They all have pros and cons. Do your research first. Look at ALL the fish in a store. Try and notice if there are any sick or dying ones. They usually all share the same water.

I did notice 1 dead fish, but I didn’t recognize it to be a saltwater fish - I probably should’ve checked. It was in the SW section, so I assume it was SW. The other fresh waters looked OK.

 

[jabberwock]

1 dead fish is 1 dead fish. It could have been stressed out over shipping and delivery. It is a good observation but it does not condemn the LFS to being a poor operation. They MOVE fish, and some of them just don;t make it. Just be observant, and don;t rush into anything. Maybe go back another day.

 

[Geebs19]

Curious to where this was, looks almost like an Lfs that I know and don’t shop at. The ones I go to have pristine tanks.

 

[jabberwock]

Curious to where this was, looks almost like an Lfs that I know and don’t shop at. The ones I go to have pristine tanks.

Mine are pretty clean too. They obviously do not want to have the fish hanging around for a long time. They want o get them in and sell them ASAP. They all have at least one really nice display tank where things are not fore sale.

 

[davocean]

I agree one dead fish is no biggie, maybe if they just left it there a long time knowing about it might discourage me some.

Most LFS I've seen that have been around a long time will show practical amount of wear, only new shops usually look pristine, usually.

I do spend time looking at fish, and I like to watch fish eat first, most LFS will add food for you.