Typically, when I shop LA I usually order from DD because that's where the rarer stuff I'm usually looking for is. My past couple orders have been somewhat disappointing.
A few months ago, I grabbed a Wetmorella albofasciata (white-banded possum wrasse) from there, since they're rather hard to come by. For the price, ($160, if I recall correctly), I figured I'd get a specimen that was relatively outgoing and eating. Wasn't really the case; the fish hid constantly and I never saw it eat. She died a few weeks later, despite the many foods I offered her in a tank by herself (so no competition or intimidation/bullying from others). Granted, the fish was in good condition when it came in, and I've kept the other two species of possum wrasse so I know they can be challenging, so I chalked it up to bad luck and moved on.
Today, I received a leopard toby puffer (Canthigaster leoparda) from DD, a fish I have been looking for for literal years, and while it arrived alive, it seems unfortunately skinny for a toby puffer (having dealt with dozens of tobies through work and personal keeping). It's the first day, so if it survives the shipping stress hopefully some deworming and meaty foods can fatten it up over time; I'm just disappointed with the condition of the fish. (Notice the exposed lower-jaw bone/sunken stomach and skinny top-down profile of the individual)
That being said, and maybe I'm misunderstanding their process, but I thought DD had a 2 or 3 week observation period where they make sure the fish has no visible diseases and is eating well. How is it acceptable for them to ship out fish that aren't eating/in poor physical condition like this? Am I not paying a premium for these fish to supposedly receive more specialized care? Sorry for the rant, it's just aggravating to deal with these issues from such a reputable seller.
A few months ago, I grabbed a Wetmorella albofasciata (white-banded possum wrasse) from there, since they're rather hard to come by. For the price, ($160, if I recall correctly), I figured I'd get a specimen that was relatively outgoing and eating. Wasn't really the case; the fish hid constantly and I never saw it eat. She died a few weeks later, despite the many foods I offered her in a tank by herself (so no competition or intimidation/bullying from others). Granted, the fish was in good condition when it came in, and I've kept the other two species of possum wrasse so I know they can be challenging, so I chalked it up to bad luck and moved on.
Today, I received a leopard toby puffer (Canthigaster leoparda) from DD, a fish I have been looking for for literal years, and while it arrived alive, it seems unfortunately skinny for a toby puffer (having dealt with dozens of tobies through work and personal keeping). It's the first day, so if it survives the shipping stress hopefully some deworming and meaty foods can fatten it up over time; I'm just disappointed with the condition of the fish. (Notice the exposed lower-jaw bone/sunken stomach and skinny top-down profile of the individual)
That being said, and maybe I'm misunderstanding their process, but I thought DD had a 2 or 3 week observation period where they make sure the fish has no visible diseases and is eating well. How is it acceptable for them to ship out fish that aren't eating/in poor physical condition like this? Am I not paying a premium for these fish to supposedly receive more specialized care? Sorry for the rant, it's just aggravating to deal with these issues from such a reputable seller.